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
Sep 21, 2011 | 5:28 am
#451
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
****
i want a Star Alliance Gold as soon as possible,
maybe 1 FFP from skyteam as well.
so someone told me Aegean Airline from Star Alliance is the easiest to obtain Gold, with 20000miles. if that's the case i guess i am going to ditch my Thai Silver. can someone confirm me this? and is there any issues that i need to foresee with Aegean?
can someone help me???
i want a Star Alliance Gold as soon as possible,
maybe 1 FFP from skyteam as well.
so someone told me Aegean Airline from Star Alliance is the easiest to obtain Gold, with 20000miles. if that's the case i guess i am going to ditch my Thai Silver. can someone confirm me this? and is there any issues that i need to foresee with Aegean?
can someone help me???
Thats the program for your pattern of flying, if you want to get to Star Gold quickly.
Sep 21, 2011 | 10:53 am
#453
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: TG Aegean
Posts: 5
Sep 21, 2011 | 12:59 pm
#454
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 4
Need some help with FF scheme...
I have an Aeroplan account (Air Canada), but am wondering if I should start a Mileage Plus account with United. Would that provide any benefits? If I wanted to get enough points for other international travel, what program should I join? Thanks in advance for your help!
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
San Francisco (SFO), Toronto (YYZ)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Economy class, discount/special class
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
<25,000
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
None
(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.)
Award travel, distant second: class upgrades
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
SFO<->YYZ once or twice a year, Transpacific or Transatlantic once a year
(7) Preferred Airlines
To get back to Canada, I've only flown Air Canada, Continental or United (prefer AC the most). On my transpacific/transatlantic flights, I fly whatever's cheapest (thus, I have some points with BA and Korean Air).
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
Pleasure, can choose my airline
Thanks for your help!
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
San Francisco (SFO), Toronto (YYZ)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Economy class, discount/special class
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
<25,000
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
None
(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.)
Award travel, distant second: class upgrades
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
SFO<->YYZ once or twice a year, Transpacific or Transatlantic once a year
(7) Preferred Airlines
To get back to Canada, I've only flown Air Canada, Continental or United (prefer AC the most). On my transpacific/transatlantic flights, I fly whatever's cheapest (thus, I have some points with BA and Korean Air).
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
Pleasure, can choose my airline
Thanks for your help!
Sep 21, 2011 | 9:04 pm
#455
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: many
Posts: 1,437
Looking for the best option?
(1) What is your home airport? MSP in the future looking at PDX
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? C
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? none
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? free lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often domestic and intl
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment, UA/CO, DL, AA, SQ, NH
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? both, and I can choose class of service of my choice.
Totally looking for the best lounge access options for *A, preferred *G for the least amount of effort and cost. Strictly the best possible lounge access for the longest period of time, (years or lifetime preferred), is the top priority.
Thank you very much!
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? C
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? none
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? free lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often domestic and intl
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment, UA/CO, DL, AA, SQ, NH
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? both, and I can choose class of service of my choice.
Totally looking for the best lounge access options for *A, preferred *G for the least amount of effort and cost. Strictly the best possible lounge access for the longest period of time, (years or lifetime preferred), is the top priority.
Thank you very much!
Sep 21, 2011 | 11:38 pm
#456
Join Date: May 2011
Location: OSL
Programs: SK*G, TK*G, AB Silver (OW Ruby), SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 95
(1) What is your home airport? MSP in the future looking at PDX
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? C
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? none
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? free lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often domestic and intl
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment, UA/CO, DL, AA, SQ, NH
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? both, and I can choose class of service of my choice.
Totally looking for the best lounge access options for *A, preferred *G for the least amount of effort and cost. Strictly the best possible lounge access for the longest period of time, (years or lifetime preferred), is the top priority.
Thank you very much!
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? C
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? none
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? free lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often domestic and intl
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment, UA/CO, DL, AA, SQ, NH
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? both, and I can choose class of service of my choice.
Totally looking for the best lounge access options for *A, preferred *G for the least amount of effort and cost. Strictly the best possible lounge access for the longest period of time, (years or lifetime preferred), is the top priority.
Thank you very much!
So, first of all, you have to go for a non-US *A FFP, as US-based *A FFPs don't give you lounge access when travelling US-domestic. Whichever you choose, you have to reach *G to get alliance-wide lounge access. Then, there is no difference between the different programs. All will give you the "best lounge access", i.e. alliance-wide free access to *G lounges. With some exceptions maybe, if the airline provides a better lounge for its elites than for *G. I'm LH SEN, and in my case, the two are the same. Some FFPs (again, LH) will give you lounge access in *S, but only when travelling on that airline.
Then the trick is to choose the one that gives you *G for <25k miles per year in C. It all depends on how much really is the <25k you mention. Be sure to check the C class bonus, as it varies greatly between FFPs, and even airline flown, but matters a great deal for you. One will give you 200% of miles flown (e.g. LH, SK, A3 for for flying most airlines, etc), while other only 125% or so (e.g. OZ, A3 for flying CO, SQ, etc.). One thing is sure: you need at least 9.5k miles to hit *G in A3 (Aegean) which has the lowest threshold and 3-years validity. If you have more than that, other FFPs might also work: OZ (Asiana) has 40k. Don't forget some FFPs work on a calendar-year basis.
Lifetime *G is possible on OZ (400k miles), but with your flying pattern, I wouldn't bet on that.
In summary: if you want to avoid the fuss to read all the details, the safest option is A3, which has the lowest threshold and AFAIK the longest validity period. Still, you'll probably have to choose your airlines wisely and filter out SQ or CO. It goes without saying that DL and AA are also a no-go while you are on your status run
Other FFPs (OZ comes to mind, there may be 1-2 others) might also give you *G, be sure to check the membership year conditions (Jan-Dec or 12 months or other), the C-class multiplier and the validity period. Finally, relax and enjoy your free lounge access!
Last edited by RealBud; Sep 21, 2011 at 11:49 pm
Sep 23, 2011 | 2:17 am
#458
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,774
I have an Aeroplan account (Air Canada), but am wondering if I should start a Mileage Plus account with United. Would that provide any benefits? If I wanted to get enough points for other international travel, what program should I join? Thanks in advance for your help!
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
San Francisco (SFO), Toronto (YYZ)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Economy class, discount/special class
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
<25,000
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
None
(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.)
Award travel, distant second: class upgrades
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
SFO<->YYZ once or twice a year, Transpacific or Transatlantic once a year
(7) Preferred Airlines
To get back to Canada, I've only flown Air Canada, Continental or United (prefer AC the most). On my transpacific/transatlantic flights, I fly whatever's cheapest (thus, I have some points with BA and Korean Air).
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
Pleasure, can choose my airline
Thanks for your help!
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
San Francisco (SFO), Toronto (YYZ)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Economy class, discount/special class
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
<25,000
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
None
(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.)
Award travel, distant second: class upgrades
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
SFO<->YYZ once or twice a year, Transpacific or Transatlantic once a year
(7) Preferred Airlines
To get back to Canada, I've only flown Air Canada, Continental or United (prefer AC the most). On my transpacific/transatlantic flights, I fly whatever's cheapest (thus, I have some points with BA and Korean Air).
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
Pleasure, can choose my airline
Thanks for your help!
Sep 23, 2011 | 2:18 am
#459
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,774
(1) What is your home airport? MSP in the future looking at PDX
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? C
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? none
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? free lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often domestic and intl
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment, UA/CO, DL, AA, SQ, NH
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? both, and I can choose class of service of my choice.
Totally looking for the best lounge access options for *A, preferred *G for the least amount of effort and cost. Strictly the best possible lounge access for the longest period of time, (years or lifetime preferred), is the top priority.
Thank you very much!
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? C
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? none
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? free lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often domestic and intl
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment, UA/CO, DL, AA, SQ, NH
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? both, and I can choose class of service of my choice.
Totally looking for the best lounge access options for *A, preferred *G for the least amount of effort and cost. Strictly the best possible lounge access for the longest period of time, (years or lifetime preferred), is the top priority.
Thank you very much!
Sep 23, 2011 | 7:32 am
#461
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Malibu, CA
Programs: AA CK / Marriott Worthless Ambassador
Posts: 1,168
LH or New UA???
I thought I'd jump in here given the new UA program details just announced. Any thoughts are appreciated. I'm a UA PP (Premiere Plat), but thinking of switching to LH (most of my flights are on LH metal as I live in Germany most of the year)
(1) What is your home airport? FRA
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Full Y / C on long-haul flights
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 60-75K (w/out class bonuses)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? UAPP - through next year
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge Access/Upgrades /Miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often domestic and intl FRA-JFK / FRA-LHR / FRA-DME -- all over
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment, LH (almost always on LH metal, but have been crediting to UA since I moved to Germany)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Mostly work. A few big holidays a year (w miles)
So this is where I am. Looks like LH offers more with class of service bonuses? I don't think I will fly 100k miles, but seems with a few long-haul C class tickets I can still make Senator on LH (at non-German resident level)? Also, not even sure i would get the 4 segments now required on UA...Am I missing anything here, or is LH the obvious option?
(1) What is your home airport? FRA
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Full Y / C on long-haul flights
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 60-75K (w/out class bonuses)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? UAPP - through next year
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge Access/Upgrades /Miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often domestic and intl FRA-JFK / FRA-LHR / FRA-DME -- all over
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment, LH (almost always on LH metal, but have been crediting to UA since I moved to Germany)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Mostly work. A few big holidays a year (w miles)
So this is where I am. Looks like LH offers more with class of service bonuses? I don't think I will fly 100k miles, but seems with a few long-haul C class tickets I can still make Senator on LH (at non-German resident level)? Also, not even sure i would get the 4 segments now required on UA...Am I missing anything here, or is LH the obvious option?
Sep 23, 2011 | 8:26 am
#462
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ex-Eurocheat in London
Programs: BA Silver, MUCCI
Posts: 582
(1) What is your home airport? LHR
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y when private, J for business
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? on *A less then 25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? BA Gold (need to update my FT profile) and BD*S
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? free lounge access even when on SH in Y
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? LHR-HAJ or LHR-FRA
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment? BA, BD
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? both
now here is the catch: As stated I am BA Gold and we can match this through our Company to Continental (not sure which Level, I guess Gold) or United (Premier executive). Which of the two is better? Is one of them giving me status for a longer time? I could of course also get to A3 as I have a flight from LHR to DUR coming up that will almost get me to Gold (if the cabin multiplier counts towards the tier)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y when private, J for business
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? on *A less then 25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? BA Gold (need to update my FT profile) and BD*S
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? free lounge access even when on SH in Y
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? LHR-HAJ or LHR-FRA
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment? BA, BD
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? both
now here is the catch: As stated I am BA Gold and we can match this through our Company to Continental (not sure which Level, I guess Gold) or United (Premier executive). Which of the two is better? Is one of them giving me status for a longer time? I could of course also get to A3 as I have a flight from LHR to DUR coming up that will almost get me to Gold (if the cabin multiplier counts towards the tier)
Sep 23, 2011 | 8:58 am
#463
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,633
I thought I'd jump in here given the new UA program details just announced. Any thoughts are appreciated. I'm a UA PP (Premiere Plat), but thinking of switching to LH (most of my flights are on LH metal as I live in Germany most of the year)
(1) What is your home airport? FRA
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Full Y / C on long-haul flights
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 60-75K (w/out class bonuses)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? UAPP - through next year
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge Access/Upgrades /Miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often domestic and intl FRA-JFK / FRA-LHR / FRA-DME -- all over
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment, LH (almost always on LH metal, but have been crediting to UA since I moved to Germany)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Mostly work. A few big holidays a year (w miles)
So this is where I am. Looks like LH offers more with class of service bonuses? I don't think I will fly 100k miles, but seems with a few long-haul C class tickets I can still make Senator on LH (at non-German resident level)? Also, not even sure i would get the 4 segments now required on UA...Am I missing anything here, or is LH the obvious option?
(1) What is your home airport? FRA
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Full Y / C on long-haul flights
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 60-75K (w/out class bonuses)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? UAPP - through next year
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge Access/Upgrades /Miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often domestic and intl FRA-JFK / FRA-LHR / FRA-DME -- all over
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment, LH (almost always on LH metal, but have been crediting to UA since I moved to Germany)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Mostly work. A few big holidays a year (w miles)
So this is where I am. Looks like LH offers more with class of service bonuses? I don't think I will fly 100k miles, but seems with a few long-haul C class tickets I can still make Senator on LH (at non-German resident level)? Also, not even sure i would get the 4 segments now required on UA...Am I missing anything here, or is LH the obvious option?
Sep 23, 2011 | 10:50 am
#464
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,774
(1) What is your home airport? LHR
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y when private, J for business
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? on *A less then 25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? BA Gold (need to update my FT profile) and BD*S
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? free lounge access even when on SH in Y
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? LHR-HAJ or LHR-FRA
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment? BA, BD
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? both
now here is the catch: As stated I am BA Gold and we can match this through our Company to Continental (not sure which Level, I guess Gold) or United (Premier executive). Which of the two is better? Is one of them giving me status for a longer time? I could of course also get to A3 as I have a flight from LHR to DUR coming up that will almost get me to Gold (if the cabin multiplier counts towards the tier)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y when private, J for business
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? on *A less then 25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? BA Gold (need to update my FT profile) and BD*S
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? free lounge access even when on SH in Y
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? LHR-HAJ or LHR-FRA
(7) Preferred Airlines at the moment? BA, BD
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? both
now here is the catch: As stated I am BA Gold and we can match this through our Company to Continental (not sure which Level, I guess Gold) or United (Premier executive). Which of the two is better? Is one of them giving me status for a longer time? I could of course also get to A3 as I have a flight from LHR to DUR coming up that will almost get me to Gold (if the cabin multiplier counts towards the tier)