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
Jul 22, 2011 | 12:53 am
#331
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 10
(1) What is your home airport? BKK
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-30k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? NO
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Free Lounge access and Frequent upgrades on travel if available
(6) Which routes do you fly most often BKK -> LHR
(7) Preferred Airlines? THAI
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Study
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-30k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? NO
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Free Lounge access and Frequent upgrades on travel if available
(6) Which routes do you fly most often BKK -> LHR
(7) Preferred Airlines? THAI
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Study
Jul 22, 2011 | 4:43 am
#332
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
(1) What is your home airport? BKK
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-30k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? NO
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Free Lounge access and Frequent upgrades on travel if available
(6) Which routes do you fly most often BKK -> LHR
(7) Preferred Airlines? THAI
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Study
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-30k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? NO
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Free Lounge access and Frequent upgrades on travel if available
(6) Which routes do you fly most often BKK -> LHR
(7) Preferred Airlines? THAI
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Study
If you plan to fly 50K miles, then you can consider Thai's program.
Jul 24, 2011 | 2:12 am
#333
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 34
(1) What is your home airport? Washington DC.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? 2-3 business trips (in Business) to Europe, 2-3 cheapo economy for vacations/citybreaks
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? don't know - 40k?
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? no, but 20k miles in M&M
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Points flights to visit family in Europe, Lounge access, free baggage check in for US domestic travel
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Washington Dulles - Brussels Intl.
(7) Preferred Airlines? Don't know
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? equal for both
I saw the Aegean *A quick path to Gold. Could that work for me, or am I better off with Continential etc? thanks!
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? 2-3 business trips (in Business) to Europe, 2-3 cheapo economy for vacations/citybreaks
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? don't know - 40k?
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? no, but 20k miles in M&M
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Points flights to visit family in Europe, Lounge access, free baggage check in for US domestic travel
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Washington Dulles - Brussels Intl.
(7) Preferred Airlines? Don't know
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? equal for both
I saw the Aegean *A quick path to Gold. Could that work for me, or am I better off with Continential etc? thanks!
Jul 25, 2011 | 12:51 pm
#334
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 13
Spanair plus
Hi,
I am quite new in comparing the different *A points scheme
Having read a couple of pages of this thread and browsing some websites, I noticed that none of you talked about Spanair(JK) frequent flyer scheme.
only 10k are required to gain *G memberhsip. Is this correct or is there any catch? http://portal.spanair.com/web/en-gb/...r-Plus/levels/
Flying from GVA to BKK and back which should give me 10-12k so I would be *G in one trip? I am correct?
Many Thanks
EDIT : I think I might have found the catch, it is only possible to redem miles on JK
I am quite new in comparing the different *A points scheme
Having read a couple of pages of this thread and browsing some websites, I noticed that none of you talked about Spanair(JK) frequent flyer scheme.
only 10k are required to gain *G memberhsip. Is this correct or is there any catch? http://portal.spanair.com/web/en-gb/...r-Plus/levels/
Flying from GVA to BKK and back which should give me 10-12k so I would be *G in one trip? I am correct?
Many Thanks
EDIT : I think I might have found the catch, it is only possible to redem miles on JK
Last edited by pneads; Jul 25, 2011 at 12:54 pm Reason: Aditional information
Jul 25, 2011 | 2:36 pm
#335
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
Hi,
I am quite new in comparing the different *A points scheme
Having read a couple of pages of this thread and browsing some websites, I noticed that none of you talked about Spanair(JK) frequent flyer scheme.
only 10k are required to gain *G memberhsip. Is this correct or is there any catch? http://portal.spanair.com/web/en-gb/...r-Plus/levels/
Flying from GVA to BKK and back which should give me 10-12k so I would be *G in one trip? I am correct?
Many Thanks
EDIT : I think I might have found the catch, it is only possible to redem miles on JK
I am quite new in comparing the different *A points scheme
Having read a couple of pages of this thread and browsing some websites, I noticed that none of you talked about Spanair(JK) frequent flyer scheme.
only 10k are required to gain *G memberhsip. Is this correct or is there any catch? http://portal.spanair.com/web/en-gb/...r-Plus/levels/
Flying from GVA to BKK and back which should give me 10-12k so I would be *G in one trip? I am correct?
Many Thanks
EDIT : I think I might have found the catch, it is only possible to redem miles on JK
However, you need to earn 10,000 points to get Star Gold with JK.
Its not just 10,000 miles.
e.g., a reduced economy TATL on LH/CO/UA will only earn 1000 points when credited to JK!!
Thats just way too low.
here is the file to look at earnings table.
http://portal.spanair.com/web/upload...ENG_170611.pdf
ALso you can redeem points on any Star Alliance route.
Jul 25, 2011 | 2:38 pm
#336
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
(1) What is your home airport? Washington DC.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? 2-3 business trips (in Business) to Europe, 2-3 cheapo economy for vacations/citybreaks
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? don't know - 40k?
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? no, but 20k miles in M&M
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Points flights to visit family in Europe, Lounge access, free baggage check in for US domestic travel
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Washington Dulles - Brussels Intl.
(7) Preferred Airlines? Don't know
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? equal for both
I saw the Aegean *A quick path to Gold. Could that work for me, or am I better off with Continential etc? thanks!
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? 2-3 business trips (in Business) to Europe, 2-3 cheapo economy for vacations/citybreaks
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? don't know - 40k?
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? no, but 20k miles in M&M
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Points flights to visit family in Europe, Lounge access, free baggage check in for US domestic travel
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Washington Dulles - Brussels Intl.
(7) Preferred Airlines? Don't know
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? equal for both
I saw the Aegean *A quick path to Gold. Could that work for me, or am I better off with Continential etc? thanks!
Also, you seem to get your miles more by flying to Europe. In this case, CO/UA is not going to give you any free upgrades, etc. All you need is status to use the lounge, etc.
Jul 26, 2011 | 2:12 am
#337
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1
which is the best FFP to join?
(1) What is your home airport? HKG
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-30k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Asiamiles green
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Frequent upgrades on travel if available
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? HKG-BKK, HKG-LAX
(7) Preferred Airlines? no preferrence
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? mostly work
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-30k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Asiamiles green
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Frequent upgrades on travel if available
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? HKG-BKK, HKG-LAX
(7) Preferred Airlines? no preferrence
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? mostly work
Jul 26, 2011 | 5:00 am
#338
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
(1) What is your home airport? HKG
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-30k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Asiamiles green
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Frequent upgrades on travel if available
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? HKG-BKK, HKG-LAX
(7) Preferred Airlines? no preferrence
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? mostly work
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-30k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Asiamiles green
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Frequent upgrades on travel if available
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? HKG-BKK, HKG-LAX
(7) Preferred Airlines? no preferrence
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? mostly work
If you can reach 50K per year, perhaps Thai (TG) will be a good choice.
If you simply want lounge access through the system, then consider Aegean.
Otherwise, stick to Asiamiles.
Jul 30, 2011 | 12:33 am
#339
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,267
(1) What is your home airport? MAA
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Economy for the most part, Biz class sometimes
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 40K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Jet Airways Jet Privilege Silver
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? good award redemption rates
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? MAA-SIN, MAA - CMB
(7) Preferred Airlines? no preference
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both
Air India is slated to join Star Alliance, but not too kicked with their service out in Economy.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Economy for the most part, Biz class sometimes
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 40K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Jet Airways Jet Privilege Silver
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? good award redemption rates
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? MAA-SIN, MAA - CMB
(7) Preferred Airlines? no preference
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both
Air India is slated to join Star Alliance, but not too kicked with their service out in Economy.
Jul 30, 2011 | 6:12 am
#340
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
(1) What is your home airport? MAA
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Economy for the most part, Biz class sometimes
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 40K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Jet Airways Jet Privilege Silver
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? good award redemption rates
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? MAA-SIN, MAA - CMB
(7) Preferred Airlines? no preference
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both
Air India is slated to join Star Alliance, but not too kicked with their service out in Economy.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Economy for the most part, Biz class sometimes
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 40K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Jet Airways Jet Privilege Silver
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? good award redemption rates
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? MAA-SIN, MAA - CMB
(7) Preferred Airlines? no preference
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both
Air India is slated to join Star Alliance, but not too kicked with their service out in Economy.
Will keep you posted,
In your case with Star Alliance, it is best of course, if AI joins.
However, that has not happened yet.
For MAA-SIN, it is easiest to fly SQ for Star miles. Cheapest SQ economy fares do not earn miles on any airline including SQ. So, be watchful of what fare class you are buying.
If you can route MAA-SIN and then SIN-CMB for work, then you can fly SQ all the way. (instead of doing MAA-SIN-MAA and MAA-CMB-MAA).
The MAA-CMB-MAA sector is a problem one with respect to Star alliance. But, its a short flight anyway...so you could continue on 9W for that one.
In terms of collecting miles, it seems that your goal is award tickets.
Some reports in this thread say Aegean (A3) does have good redemption rates.
Another program to consider collecting miles would be TK (Turkish). You need 35K miles (I believe...dont remember just now) for Star Gold. That will give you lounge access throughout your travel.
One more option to consider is TG. Actually, if you can fly MAA-BKK-SIN/CMB, you can collect way more miles quickly!! (but it will add some hours to travel) And TG seems to be a good program to collect miles in......50K for Star Gold. They give you upgrade vouchers after you reach Star Gold.
I actually liked the TG MAA-BKK-MAA flights. Nice service. Decent timing (arrival / departure).
Jul 30, 2011 | 11:30 pm
#341
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: QF Platinum, LH Senator
Posts: 30
Thanks so much for doing this thread, and the opportunity for some expert help! It's perfect timing because I've been considering a change and I'm leaning towards M&M but very keen to hear what you have to say
(1) What is your home airport? Sydney
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? 2-3 times yearly to Europe in J, around Asia Australia and NZ in discount economy.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 50k+
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? QF Platinum
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (This is the hard bit! I really want a good points earn, definitely ease of redemption (online or efficient call center), and would also love reaching a reasonable status fairly quickly. But I know you can't have it all
(6) Which routes do you fly most often SYD-AMS (most often), SYD-AKL & SYD-SIN (less often). Also Australia domestic in discount Y
(7) Preferred Airlines: Right now QF (thanks to Platinum status)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? I can choose my airlines, class of service depends on route.
Thanks and looking forward to your comments!
(1) What is your home airport? Sydney
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? 2-3 times yearly to Europe in J, around Asia Australia and NZ in discount economy.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 50k+
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? QF Platinum
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (This is the hard bit! I really want a good points earn, definitely ease of redemption (online or efficient call center), and would also love reaching a reasonable status fairly quickly. But I know you can't have it all
(6) Which routes do you fly most often SYD-AMS (most often), SYD-AKL & SYD-SIN (less often). Also Australia domestic in discount Y
(7) Preferred Airlines: Right now QF (thanks to Platinum status)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? I can choose my airlines, class of service depends on route.
Thanks and looking forward to your comments!
Jul 31, 2011 | 3:17 am
#342
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold
Posts: 9,606
syd_tlukec, it might be that you could become SEN (*G, probably the "best" *G status on any carrier) with LH, which is, despite all the major "improvements", still rather good. in C, you earn 225% (200%+25% elite bonus)
Depending on where exactly you've to go in Europe (each connecting C flight will also earn 2000+25%) you could make around 40k miles for each roundtrip to Europe.. you need 100k miles, but only to requalify every second year.. so with 2-3 trips you should be able to make it (first year will definitely need 3 trips, as the first trip won't get you the 25% extra bonus yet due to not yet *S, which you'll get at 35k miles) - then, 2 trips and some more flights, or 3 trips will do, and as said before, requalification only needed every second year (you get to choose, which one, if you qualify early, you get the status for 3 years+)
Depending on where exactly you've to go in Europe (each connecting C flight will also earn 2000+25%) you could make around 40k miles for each roundtrip to Europe.. you need 100k miles, but only to requalify every second year.. so with 2-3 trips you should be able to make it (first year will definitely need 3 trips, as the first trip won't get you the 25% extra bonus yet due to not yet *S, which you'll get at 35k miles) - then, 2 trips and some more flights, or 3 trips will do, and as said before, requalification only needed every second year (you get to choose, which one, if you qualify early, you get the status for 3 years+)
Jul 31, 2011 | 6:05 am
#343
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
syd_tlukec, it might be that you could become SEN (*G, probably the "best" *G status on any carrier) with LH, which is, despite all the major "improvements", still rather good. in C, you earn 225% (200%+25% elite bonus)
Depending on where exactly you've to go in Europe (each connecting C flight will also earn 2000+25%) you could make around 40k miles for each roundtrip to Europe.. you need 100k miles, but only to requalify every second year.. so with 2-3 trips you should be able to make it (first year will definitely need 3 trips, as the first trip won't get you the 25% extra bonus yet due to not yet *S, which you'll get at 35k miles) - then, 2 trips and some more flights, or 3 trips will do, and as said before, requalification only needed every second year (you get to choose, which one, if you qualify early, you get the status for 3 years+)
Depending on where exactly you've to go in Europe (each connecting C flight will also earn 2000+25%) you could make around 40k miles for each roundtrip to Europe.. you need 100k miles, but only to requalify every second year.. so with 2-3 trips you should be able to make it (first year will definitely need 3 trips, as the first trip won't get you the 25% extra bonus yet due to not yet *S, which you'll get at 35k miles) - then, 2 trips and some more flights, or 3 trips will do, and as said before, requalification only needed every second year (you get to choose, which one, if you qualify early, you get the status for 3 years+)
LH M&M is great for people buying C fares. Redemption of miles aint bad either. (and they can redeem certain "newer" SQ seats which are off limits for most other star partners).
Jul 31, 2011 | 4:38 pm
#344
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: QF Platinum, LH Senator
Posts: 30
YyuropFlyer and snod08 thank you both very much! Yes, I think LH is the way for me to go. Scary how much thought and effort we put into our FQTV programs isn't it? 
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Aug 1, 2011 | 11:18 am
#345
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3
Which frequent flyer miles program to join?
Hello!
In october we're leaving for an around the world trip starting in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (our home base), which means we'll be making al lot of flying miles. We decided to see if we can collect frequent flyer miles. We're going to fly with British airways, Qantas (both Oneworld), South african airways, New zealand airways (both Sky alliance) and LACSA/TACA (AviancaTaca). For what we learned so far, we only have to become a member of one airline of an airline netword.
So we're considering to join the frequent flyer miles program of:
-British airways OR Qantas
-South african airways OR New zealand airways
Do you have any tips how to choose which program to join?
We simply have to join the frequent flyer miles program of TACA.
Thank you very much for your help,
Greets!
In october we're leaving for an around the world trip starting in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (our home base), which means we'll be making al lot of flying miles. We decided to see if we can collect frequent flyer miles. We're going to fly with British airways, Qantas (both Oneworld), South african airways, New zealand airways (both Sky alliance) and LACSA/TACA (AviancaTaca). For what we learned so far, we only have to become a member of one airline of an airline netword.
So we're considering to join the frequent flyer miles program of:
-British airways OR Qantas
-South african airways OR New zealand airways
Do you have any tips how to choose which program to join?
We simply have to join the frequent flyer miles program of TACA.
Thank you very much for your help,
Greets!