Jan 20, 2016, 10:53 pm
Last edit by: jtet
A number of threads have been started with members asking for guidance on which mileage programme they should join. In order to help users I have started this thread to allow people to post their requests for information here and to allow people to offer assistance.
For members asking for information please help people to assist you, can you provide:
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
(7) Preferred Airlines
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
If you fly less than 50k miles per year: it is almost guaranteed that your choice will be between Aegean Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Asiana Airlines. Please look up these airlines' frequent flier programs, and make a decision as to which best suits your needs.
Some considerations to take into account:
Airlines tend to treat members of their own frequent flier program better than members of other frequent flier programs. If you fly one of these airlines, it is recommended that you choose that airline.
Some airlines have better earning/redemption charts for your pattern. For example, if you fly on cheap fares on a certain airline often, Turkish might give you miles for it, while Aegean might not. However, Turkish Airlines might charge much more for the redemption that you want to make than Aegean.
Asiana Airlines offers lifetime Star Alliance Gold for 500k miles over life. The other 2 airlines do not offer this benefit.
Asiana Airlines has a credit card in the USA and some other countries. If you are interested in credit cards, check to make sure that the program that you join has a credit card in your country.
If you still aren't sure which frequent flyer program is for you after looking these up, feel free to ask on this thread.
For members asking for information please help people to assist you, can you provide:
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
(7) Preferred Airlines
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
If you fly less than 50k miles per year: it is almost guaranteed that your choice will be between Aegean Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Asiana Airlines. Please look up these airlines' frequent flier programs, and make a decision as to which best suits your needs.
Some considerations to take into account:
Airlines tend to treat members of their own frequent flier program better than members of other frequent flier programs. If you fly one of these airlines, it is recommended that you choose that airline.
Some airlines have better earning/redemption charts for your pattern. For example, if you fly on cheap fares on a certain airline often, Turkish might give you miles for it, while Aegean might not. However, Turkish Airlines might charge much more for the redemption that you want to make than Aegean.
Asiana Airlines offers lifetime Star Alliance Gold for 500k miles over life. The other 2 airlines do not offer this benefit.
Asiana Airlines has a credit card in the USA and some other countries. If you are interested in credit cards, check to make sure that the program that you join has a credit card in your country.
If you still aren't sure which frequent flyer program is for you after looking these up, feel free to ask on this thread.
Need advice on which *A FF scheme to join? - please post here
Mar 11, 2026 | 11:11 pm
#2671
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: OAK
Programs: AS MVPG 100k
Posts: 3,762
Ethiopian - buy *A Gold fir $18/1000 EQM
I’m about fly YYZ-JNB on Ethiopian in business.
i was looking around for program this would get me closest to *A Gold
in the process I discovered that you *seem* to be able to buy Sheba EQM for $18/1000
so, after earning silver from the r/t flights I could buy the ~20k additional EQM needed for gold for under $400.
the only cap I can see referred to is to reach the next status tier.
now of course that would leave me with a bunch of RDM IN THE Sheba program and any time I use the *G status that way (eg on United domestic) I’d be putting more RDM into Sheba.
But it does seem like there is reasonable biz class *A availability to Asia (eg SEA-TPE @ 90k). Domestic Cisco awards seem a bit higher than US but not a lot.
I’m united silver via Marriott Titanium and travel *A a greatness a year. It looks like I’d earn about 20k UA miles from these flights.
Am I missing something - this seems like a no-brainer.
i was looking around for program this would get me closest to *A Gold
in the process I discovered that you *seem* to be able to buy Sheba EQM for $18/1000
so, after earning silver from the r/t flights I could buy the ~20k additional EQM needed for gold for under $400.
the only cap I can see referred to is to reach the next status tier.
now of course that would leave me with a bunch of RDM IN THE Sheba program and any time I use the *G status that way (eg on United domestic) I’d be putting more RDM into Sheba.
But it does seem like there is reasonable biz class *A availability to Asia (eg SEA-TPE @ 90k). Domestic Cisco awards seem a bit higher than US but not a lot.
I’m united silver via Marriott Titanium and travel *A a greatness a year. It looks like I’d earn about 20k UA miles from these flights.
Am I missing something - this seems like a no-brainer.
Mar 12, 2026 | 2:12 am
#2672
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SYD, LHR
Posts: 143
First world problem here but hoping the wisdom on this board can help. I’m a Oneworld flyer but will be flying SQ paid First (F RBD) RT SYD-SIN-FRA-JFK in August - approx $20k AUD=18k SGD. Was longtime PPS through work travel from 2002-23 but since leaving that role dropped through the tiers and currently KF*S - and that will be gone by date of flight. My partner also travelling on this trip has no status on *A either and has the same question. I realise this itinerary will fall short of PPS as unlikely to do other SQ travel this year, so looking for best way I can gain *Gold ideally with a carrier whose miles don’t expire on a fixed term. In the past through the PPS double dipping I had *G on BD, LH, NZ, A3 and then TK, but these carriers either disappeared or made it much harder with own metal requirements.
So question is which programs earn *G from this flying 28k miles in first on SQ metal and of them, which have the best F class earning and most valuable/longest expiring redemption miles? I think I could get *G on SQ itself, but the miles do expire there and so looking for alternatives. I also do have multiple oneworld status (QF CL, LTP, BA Gold, AA Plat) if carriers are open to status matches, but can’t really see the point if flying would gain *G anyway.
(1) What is your home airport? SYD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Highest cabin available - plus an Aone5 (First class oneworld RTW) each year.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 100k+ but mostly on oneworld due to company policy and existing status.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Not on *A
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Mainly IRROP handling and Value of RDMs/access to redemption inventory, but I would find *G helpful for things like intra europe/US shorthauls.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often SYD-LHR, SYD-LAX, SYD-NZ, many domestic Aus, a few intra europe and US shorthauls
(7) Preferred Airlines I love the SQ F product which is why I am booking this ticket rather my usual QF, EK, BA, AA First etc.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? These days 30% work, 70% pleasure. I have considered the *A RTW product but there are not enough carriers with F class to really make it work, plus rules a bit more restrictive than OW. But happy to take advice on that too.
So question is which programs earn *G from this flying 28k miles in first on SQ metal and of them, which have the best F class earning and most valuable/longest expiring redemption miles? I think I could get *G on SQ itself, but the miles do expire there and so looking for alternatives. I also do have multiple oneworld status (QF CL, LTP, BA Gold, AA Plat) if carriers are open to status matches, but can’t really see the point if flying would gain *G anyway.
(1) What is your home airport? SYD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Highest cabin available - plus an Aone5 (First class oneworld RTW) each year.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 100k+ but mostly on oneworld due to company policy and existing status.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Not on *A
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Mainly IRROP handling and Value of RDMs/access to redemption inventory, but I would find *G helpful for things like intra europe/US shorthauls.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often SYD-LHR, SYD-LAX, SYD-NZ, many domestic Aus, a few intra europe and US shorthauls
(7) Preferred Airlines I love the SQ F product which is why I am booking this ticket rather my usual QF, EK, BA, AA First etc.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? These days 30% work, 70% pleasure. I have considered the *A RTW product but there are not enough carriers with F class to really make it work, plus rules a bit more restrictive than OW. But happy to take advice on that too.
Mar 12, 2026 | 6:42 am
#2673
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,474
I’m about fly YYZ-JNB on Ethiopian in business.
i was looking around for program this would get me closest to *A Gold
in the process I discovered that you *seem* to be able to buy Sheba EQM for $18/1000
so, after earning silver from the r/t flights I could buy the ~20k additional EQM needed for gold for under $400.
the only cap I can see referred to is to reach the next status tier.
now of course that would leave me with a bunch of RDM IN THE Sheba program and any time I use the *G status that way (eg on United domestic) I’d be putting more RDM into Sheba.
But it does seem like there is reasonable biz class *A availability to Asia (eg SEA-TPE @ 90k). Domestic Cisco awards seem a bit higher than US but not a lot.
I’m united silver via Marriott Titanium and travel *A a greatness a year. It looks like I’d earn about 20k UA miles from these flights.
Am I missing something - this seems like a no-brainer.
i was looking around for program this would get me closest to *A Gold
in the process I discovered that you *seem* to be able to buy Sheba EQM for $18/1000
so, after earning silver from the r/t flights I could buy the ~20k additional EQM needed for gold for under $400.
the only cap I can see referred to is to reach the next status tier.
now of course that would leave me with a bunch of RDM IN THE Sheba program and any time I use the *G status that way (eg on United domestic) I’d be putting more RDM into Sheba.
But it does seem like there is reasonable biz class *A availability to Asia (eg SEA-TPE @ 90k). Domestic Cisco awards seem a bit higher than US but not a lot.
I’m united silver via Marriott Titanium and travel *A a greatness a year. It looks like I’d earn about 20k UA miles from these flights.
Am I missing something - this seems like a no-brainer.
You can use your status and fly UA for 'some/most' of the benefits while still earning UA miles, if that is what you prefer. Getting more difficult, but still theoretically supported. Such as check in as *G for bag benis and lounge access and then before boarding change to UA FQTV to earn miles.
Mar 12, 2026 | 6:51 am
#2674
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,474
First world problem here but hoping the wisdom on this board can help. I’m a Oneworld flyer but will be flying SQ paid First (F RBD) RT SYD-SIN-FRA-JFK in August - approx $20k AUD=18k SGD. Was longtime PPS through work travel from 2002-23 but since leaving that role dropped through the tiers and currently KF*S - and that will be gone by date of flight. My partner also travelling on this trip has no status on *A either and has the same question. I realise this itinerary will fall short of PPS as unlikely to do other SQ travel this year, so looking for best way I can gain *Gold ideally with a carrier whose miles don’t expire on a fixed term. In the past through the PPS double dipping I had *G on BD, LH, NZ, A3 and then TK, but these carriers either disappeared or made it much harder with own metal requirements.
So question is which programs earn *G from this flying 28k miles in first on SQ metal and of them, which have the best F class earning and most valuable/longest expiring redemption miles? I think I could get *G on SQ itself, but the miles do expire there and so looking for alternatives. I also do have multiple oneworld status (QF CL, LTP, BA Gold, AA Plat) if carriers are open to status matches, but can’t really see the point if flying would gain *G anyway.
(1) What is your home airport? SYD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Highest cabin available - plus an Aone5 (First class oneworld RTW) each year.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 100k+ but mostly on oneworld due to company policy and existing status.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Not on *A
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Mainly IRROP handling and Value of RDMs/access to redemption inventory, but I would find *G helpful for things like intra europe/US shorthauls.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often SYD-LHR, SYD-LAX, SYD-NZ, many domestic Aus, a few intra europe and US shorthauls
(7) Preferred Airlines I love the SQ F product which is why I am booking this ticket rather my usual QF, EK, BA, AA First etc.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? These days 30% work, 70% pleasure. I have considered the *A RTW product but there are not enough carriers with F class to really make it work, plus rules a bit more restrictive than OW. But happy to take advice on that too.
So question is which programs earn *G from this flying 28k miles in first on SQ metal and of them, which have the best F class earning and most valuable/longest expiring redemption miles? I think I could get *G on SQ itself, but the miles do expire there and so looking for alternatives. I also do have multiple oneworld status (QF CL, LTP, BA Gold, AA Plat) if carriers are open to status matches, but can’t really see the point if flying would gain *G anyway.
(1) What is your home airport? SYD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Highest cabin available - plus an Aone5 (First class oneworld RTW) each year.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 100k+ but mostly on oneworld due to company policy and existing status.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Not on *A
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Mainly IRROP handling and Value of RDMs/access to redemption inventory, but I would find *G helpful for things like intra europe/US shorthauls.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often SYD-LHR, SYD-LAX, SYD-NZ, many domestic Aus, a few intra europe and US shorthauls
(7) Preferred Airlines I love the SQ F product which is why I am booking this ticket rather my usual QF, EK, BA, AA First etc.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? These days 30% work, 70% pleasure. I have considered the *A RTW product but there are not enough carriers with F class to really make it work, plus rules a bit more restrictive than OW. But happy to take advice on that too.
TK isn't a bad earn and status, while harder, isn't that bad to get to and it is valid for 2 years. Redemptions have become more difficult, but still o.k. They do expire, but not quickly.
*A RTW - not easy, but you have NH, LH, LX and SQ for the most part. Fares can be pretty good out of TYO. Doesn't get you everywhere though.
Mar 13, 2026 | 3:08 am
#2675
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Central Florida and Bangkok
Posts: 417
(1) What is your home airport? MCO, BKK
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? RTW Business
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 45K - about 1.5 RTW plus some occasionally flights in SE Asia
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? None in *A
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Award redemption rates, access to US lounges
(6) Which routes do you fly most often RTW
(7) Preferred Airlines None
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
Have done multiple RTW with OneWorld but now looking to start using *A. Credited my flights mostly to Qatar and was able to get Platinum (top OneWorld status - Emerald) with only 1 RT Asia-US and 1.5 RTW trips because of the bonuses and unusual credit scheme they use. That allowed me to access all OneWorld 1st class lounges in the US even when flying domestic. Any such FFP with *A?
Have used United for multiple award flights over the years but is crediting the miles to United the best way to accrue miles for awards (Also have multiple Chase and UA credit cards).
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? RTW Business
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 45K - about 1.5 RTW plus some occasionally flights in SE Asia
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? None in *A
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Award redemption rates, access to US lounges
(6) Which routes do you fly most often RTW
(7) Preferred Airlines None
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
Have done multiple RTW with OneWorld but now looking to start using *A. Credited my flights mostly to Qatar and was able to get Platinum (top OneWorld status - Emerald) with only 1 RT Asia-US and 1.5 RTW trips because of the bonuses and unusual credit scheme they use. That allowed me to access all OneWorld 1st class lounges in the US even when flying domestic. Any such FFP with *A?
Have used United for multiple award flights over the years but is crediting the miles to United the best way to accrue miles for awards (Also have multiple Chase and UA credit cards).
Last edited by njfan07; Mar 13, 2026 at 3:51 am
Mar 13, 2026 | 5:00 am
#2676
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: OAK
Programs: AS MVPG 100k
Posts: 3,762
Well, it depends what you are looking for. It will also depend on the booking class for YYZ-JNB. P-class, for example, will earn in few places - higher fare classes have more options.
You can use your status and fly UA for 'some/most' of the benefits while still earning UA miles, if that is what you prefer. Getting more difficult, but still theoretically supported. Such as check in as *G for bag benis and lounge access and then before boarding change to UA FQTV to earn miles.
You can use your status and fly UA for 'some/most' of the benefits while still earning UA miles, if that is what you prefer. Getting more difficult, but still theoretically supported. Such as check in as *G for bag benis and lounge access and then before boarding change to UA FQTV to earn miles.
Did not realize I could switch after check in/lounge entrance, so that makes it even more appealing.
Anyhow - sounds like a good plan.
Am right in thinking I can only buy up to next tier, not all the way to platinum ?
Also seems to say can pay $18/1000 to renew. Does this mean I can keep *A gold “forever” by paying up to $900/year (depending on flights I take).
Many thanks for your input
Mar 16, 2026 | 7:27 pm
#2677
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, MR LTT, HH Dia, IHG Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 37,474
(1) What is your home airport? MCO, BKK
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? RTW Business
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 45K - about 1.5 RTW plus some occasionally flights in SE Asia
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? None in *A
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Award redemption rates, access to US lounges
(6) Which routes do you fly most often RTW
(7) Preferred Airlines None
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
Have done multiple RTW with OneWorld but now looking to start using *A. Credited my flights mostly to Qatar and was able to get Platinum (top OneWorld status - Emerald) with only 1 RT Asia-US and 1.5 RTW trips because of the bonuses and unusual credit scheme they use. That allowed me to access all OneWorld 1st class lounges in the US even when flying domestic. Any such FFP with *A?
Have used United for multiple award flights over the years but is crediting the miles to United the best way to accrue miles for awards (Also have multiple Chase and UA credit cards).
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? RTW Business
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 45K - about 1.5 RTW plus some occasionally flights in SE Asia
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? None in *A
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Award redemption rates, access to US lounges
(6) Which routes do you fly most often RTW
(7) Preferred Airlines None
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
Have done multiple RTW with OneWorld but now looking to start using *A. Credited my flights mostly to Qatar and was able to get Platinum (top OneWorld status - Emerald) with only 1 RT Asia-US and 1.5 RTW trips because of the bonuses and unusual credit scheme they use. That allowed me to access all OneWorld 1st class lounges in the US even when flying domestic. Any such FFP with *A?
Have used United for multiple award flights over the years but is crediting the miles to United the best way to accrue miles for awards (Also have multiple Chase and UA credit cards).
Mar 30, 2026 | 12:39 am
#2678
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: SFO
Programs: HH, *G
Posts: 130
I have a few months to plan, but since Asiana is leaving *A, I'm trying to figure out my next move...
(1) What is your home airport? SFO
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? R/T Economy and PE for long haul, occasionally upgrades if reasonable
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? ~70K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? Asiana Diamond Plus
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounges and checked bags.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? SFO-West coast, SFO-Europe once or twice a year, SFO-Asia once a year usually
(7) Preferred Airlines? I guess UA by default. But LX and LH when going to Europe and BR+SQ for Asia.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? 50/50, sadly work doesn't pay for J.
I'm honestly wondering whether I should go for straight UA Gold. I'm not sure I'd hit 10K PQP though. Maybe with a credit card though...
Or the long game, 15-20 years I'd hit 1MM on UA! hahaha.
Ideally, I'd love to do a status challenge. (Or i try to stick it with SkyTeam next year, but I don't think that makes too much sense for SFO.)
(1) What is your home airport? SFO
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? R/T Economy and PE for long haul, occasionally upgrades if reasonable
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? ~70K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? Asiana Diamond Plus
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounges and checked bags.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? SFO-West coast, SFO-Europe once or twice a year, SFO-Asia once a year usually
(7) Preferred Airlines? I guess UA by default. But LX and LH when going to Europe and BR+SQ for Asia.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? 50/50, sadly work doesn't pay for J.
I'm honestly wondering whether I should go for straight UA Gold. I'm not sure I'd hit 10K PQP though. Maybe with a credit card though...
Or the long game, 15-20 years I'd hit 1MM on UA! hahaha.
Ideally, I'd love to do a status challenge. (Or i try to stick it with SkyTeam next year, but I don't think that makes too much sense for SFO.)
Mar 30, 2026 | 10:54 am
#2679
Join Date: Feb 2025
Location: MNL
Programs: TK E+, *G, Marriott LTP, IGH P
Posts: 19
I have a few months to plan, but since Asiana is leaving *A, I'm trying to figure out my next move...
(1) What is your home airport? SFO
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? R/T Economy and PE for long haul, occasionally upgrades if reasonable
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? ~70K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? Asiana Diamond Plus
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounges and checked bags.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? SFO-West coast, SFO-Europe once or twice a year, SFO-Asia once a year usually
(7) Preferred Airlines? I guess UA by default. But LX and LH when going to Europe and BR+SQ for Asia.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? 50/50, sadly work doesn't pay for J.
I'm honestly wondering whether I should go for straight UA Gold. I'm not sure I'd hit 10K PQP though. Maybe with a credit card though...
Or the long game, 15-20 years I'd hit 1MM on UA! hahaha.
Ideally, I'd love to do a status challenge. (Or i try to stick it with SkyTeam next year, but I don't think that makes too much sense for SFO.)
(1) What is your home airport? SFO
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? R/T Economy and PE for long haul, occasionally upgrades if reasonable
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? ~70K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? Asiana Diamond Plus
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounges and checked bags.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? SFO-West coast, SFO-Europe once or twice a year, SFO-Asia once a year usually
(7) Preferred Airlines? I guess UA by default. But LX and LH when going to Europe and BR+SQ for Asia.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? 50/50, sadly work doesn't pay for J.
I'm honestly wondering whether I should go for straight UA Gold. I'm not sure I'd hit 10K PQP though. Maybe with a credit card though...
Or the long game, 15-20 years I'd hit 1MM on UA! hahaha.
Ideally, I'd love to do a status challenge. (Or i try to stick it with SkyTeam next year, but I don't think that makes too much sense for SFO.)
Mar 30, 2026 | 2:51 pm
#2680
Join Date: Jul 2025
Programs: TK M&S E (*G), Hotels.com Silver
Posts: 406
The long game with can actually be your advantage if you can somehow make it to get Million Miler status with UA, while meeting the annual 10K PQP (which will most likely rise at some point). Within *A, TK would be my recommendation as it is a milage based program (depending on fare class of course), and you seem to really want *G benefits. With 70K annually, you should easily requalify for *G as their program requires 40K to qualify for their Elite status in the first year and then 60K in the subsequent two-year requalification period. Beware that TK is not always known for great customer service, but I haven't had too many issues myself. Please check out the Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles thread for more info, and good luck!
I agree M&S is a nice program but for someone living in the US spending the miles might be a bit hard.
Plus not all of those UA and LH/LX flights will earn you miles at 100% rate. For the European flights you can consider TK.
Like the poster above, I also recommend checking the program details like earning charts from other *A carriers.
Mar 31, 2026 | 2:36 pm
#2683
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: SFO
Programs: HH, *G
Posts: 130
The long game with can actually be your advantage if you can somehow make it to get Million Miler status with UA, while meeting the annual 10K PQP (which will most likely rise at some point). Within *A, TK would be my recommendation as it is a milage based program (depending on fare class of course), and you seem to really want *G benefits. With 70K annually, you should easily requalify for *G as their program requires 40K to qualify for their Elite status in the first year and then 60K in the subsequent two-year requalification period. Beware that TK is not always known for great customer service, but I haven't had too many issues myself. Please check out the Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles thread for more info, and good luck!
I agree M&S is a nice program but for someone living in the US spending the miles might be a bit hard.
Plus not all of those UA and LH/LX flights will earn you miles at 100% rate. For the European flights you can consider TK.
Plus not all of those UA and LH/LX flights will earn you miles at 100% rate. For the European flights you can consider TK.
I probably should have mentioned, my GF does have M&S status and keeping it isn't too hard. Annoyingly we got close to Elite Plus once but didn't make it, and the TK cabin upgrade certs might have been a useful perk on an SFO-IST flight. Oh well...
But redeeming miles and the TK award charts have definitely been less favorable. (At least with OZ I've had decent luck with a few *A upgrade awards, and their award chart has been decent but OZ is picky with US cards and I couldn't actually book a recent award ticket...)
So, I guess where I'm at:
- TK should be easy for me to maintain
- TK won't help as much for earning on LH/LX PE routes (upcoming trip would likely be an LX N fare which is 0% on TK... though I have had luck with switching the mileage program at the LX/LH lounge when this happened once where I credited to UA...)
- TK's award chart has mixed value, but there are some decent options, like potential UA flights
- UA Gold would definitely be more useful for me locally, but probably harder to maintain
- Highly SFO specific, but the Maple Leaf Lounge works with *A Gold, but specifically not UA Gold—and they usually have a barista and/or a good mezcal Negroni.
- Getting lifetime UA status for require moving more international flying to UA, which isn't a problem but other *A partners have better PE and upgrade deals. It's also a stretch.
The easy answer is to credit to UA, not over think things and not encourage extra upgrades/etc. Or not care so much about status! But who am I kidding? I love playing the game.
Mar 31, 2026 | 7:27 pm
#2684
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 422
First world problem here but hoping the wisdom on this board can help. I’m a Oneworld flyer but will be flying SQ paid First (F RBD) RT SYD-SIN-FRA-JFK in August - approx $20k AUD=18k SGD. Was longtime PPS through work travel from 2002-23 but since leaving that role dropped through the tiers and currently KF*S - and that will be gone by date of flight. My partner also travelling on this trip has no status on *A either and has the same question. I realise this itinerary will fall short of PPS as unlikely to do other SQ travel this year, so looking for best way I can gain *Gold ideally with a carrier whose miles don’t expire on a fixed term. In the past through the PPS double dipping I had *G on BD, LH, NZ, A3 and then TK, but these carriers either disappeared or made it much harder with own metal requirements.
So question is which programs earn *G from this flying 28k miles in first on SQ metal and of them, which have the best F class earning and most valuable/longest expiring redemption miles? I think I could get *G on SQ itself, but the miles do expire there and so looking for alternatives. I also do have multiple oneworld status (QF CL, LTP, BA Gold, AA Plat) if carriers are open to status matches, but can’t really see the point if flying would gain *G anyway.
(1) What is your home airport? SYD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Highest cabin available - plus an Aone5 (First class oneworld RTW) each year.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 100k+ but mostly on oneworld due to company policy and existing status.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Not on *A
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Mainly IRROP handling and Value of RDMs/access to redemption inventory, but I would find *G helpful for things like intra europe/US shorthauls.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often SYD-LHR, SYD-LAX, SYD-NZ, many domestic Aus, a few intra europe and US shorthauls
(7) Preferred Airlines I love the SQ F product which is why I am booking this ticket rather my usual QF, EK, BA, AA First etc.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? These days 30% work, 70% pleasure. I have considered the *A RTW product but there are not enough carriers with F class to really make it work, plus rules a bit more restrictive than OW. But happy to take advice on that too.
So question is which programs earn *G from this flying 28k miles in first on SQ metal and of them, which have the best F class earning and most valuable/longest expiring redemption miles? I think I could get *G on SQ itself, but the miles do expire there and so looking for alternatives. I also do have multiple oneworld status (QF CL, LTP, BA Gold, AA Plat) if carriers are open to status matches, but can’t really see the point if flying would gain *G anyway.
(1) What is your home airport? SYD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Highest cabin available - plus an Aone5 (First class oneworld RTW) each year.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 100k+ but mostly on oneworld due to company policy and existing status.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Not on *A
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Mainly IRROP handling and Value of RDMs/access to redemption inventory, but I would find *G helpful for things like intra europe/US shorthauls.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often SYD-LHR, SYD-LAX, SYD-NZ, many domestic Aus, a few intra europe and US shorthauls
(7) Preferred Airlines I love the SQ F product which is why I am booking this ticket rather my usual QF, EK, BA, AA First etc.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? These days 30% work, 70% pleasure. I have considered the *A RTW product but there are not enough carriers with F class to really make it work, plus rules a bit more restrictive than OW. But happy to take advice on that too.
The SYD-SIN-(FRA)-JFK routing in F would give you NZ*G for a year. It helps with the occasional intra NZ flights as it is typically Y only and with NZ*G you get lounge plus space+ seating. Plus there are some sweet spots for *A redemption using NZ, as a lot of intra-EU and intra-US flights can be redeemed at low Airpoints $ rates. Some AU-Asia flights can also be quite good, for example MEL-BKK in J is 1000 Airpoints Dollar only)
Mar 31, 2026 | 8:37 pm
#2685
Join Date: Jul 2025
Programs: TK M&S E (*G), Hotels.com Silver
Posts: 406
Thanks both! Mostly confirms my thoughts.
I probably should have mentioned, my GF does have M&S status and keeping it isn't too hard. Annoyingly we got close to Elite Plus once but didn't make it, and the TK cabin upgrade certs might have been a useful perk on an SFO-IST flight. Oh well...
But redeeming miles and the TK award charts have definitely been less favorable. (At least with OZ I've had decent luck with a few *A upgrade awards, and their award chart has been decent but OZ is picky with US cards and I couldn't actually book a recent award ticket...)
So, I guess where I'm at:
- TK should be easy for me to maintain
- TK won't help as much for earning on LH/LX PE routes (upcoming trip would likely be an LX N fare which is 0% on TK... though I have had luck with switching the mileage program at the LX/LH lounge when this happened once where I credited to UA...)
- TK's award chart has mixed value, but there are some decent options, like potential UA flights
- UA Gold would definitely be more useful for me locally, but probably harder to maintain
- Highly SFO specific, but the Maple Leaf Lounge works with *A Gold, but specifically not UA Gold—and they usually have a barista and/or a good mezcal Negroni.
- Getting lifetime UA status for require moving more international flying to UA, which isn't a problem but other *A partners have better PE and upgrade deals. It's also a stretch.
The easy answer is to credit to UA, not over think things and not encourage extra upgrades/etc. Or not care so much about status! But who am I kidding? I love playing the game.
I probably should have mentioned, my GF does have M&S status and keeping it isn't too hard. Annoyingly we got close to Elite Plus once but didn't make it, and the TK cabin upgrade certs might have been a useful perk on an SFO-IST flight. Oh well...
But redeeming miles and the TK award charts have definitely been less favorable. (At least with OZ I've had decent luck with a few *A upgrade awards, and their award chart has been decent but OZ is picky with US cards and I couldn't actually book a recent award ticket...)
So, I guess where I'm at:
- TK should be easy for me to maintain
- TK won't help as much for earning on LH/LX PE routes (upcoming trip would likely be an LX N fare which is 0% on TK... though I have had luck with switching the mileage program at the LX/LH lounge when this happened once where I credited to UA...)
- TK's award chart has mixed value, but there are some decent options, like potential UA flights
- UA Gold would definitely be more useful for me locally, but probably harder to maintain
- Highly SFO specific, but the Maple Leaf Lounge works with *A Gold, but specifically not UA Gold—and they usually have a barista and/or a good mezcal Negroni.
- Getting lifetime UA status for require moving more international flying to UA, which isn't a problem but other *A partners have better PE and upgrade deals. It's also a stretch.
The easy answer is to credit to UA, not over think things and not encourage extra upgrades/etc. Or not care so much about status! But who am I kidding? I love playing the game.
You mentioned changing FF before the flight. So if you've a flight with 0 earning for TK you can play this trick. In the short term you can earn and then keep TK status. In the long term you can reach the desired status with UA.
This split would require extra attention and you need to monitor your requalification earnings with TK to make a decision between TK and UA in some cases.