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
Oct 11, 2011 | 12:45 pm
#496
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 112
SAS EB or better?
Greetings,
I´m long time reader of Flyertalk, but now I´m facing an issue which would require a little bit broader knowledge, so hence my 1st post!
(1) ZRH / STO / HEL / MUC / FRA
(2) SAS O/T Deep discount (the usual -75% fare classes)
(3) 100k+ / 100+ segments
(4) AA PLT, AY Silver, AF FB
(5) Good rate of return per EUR spent on deep discount fares, status match or easy level on segments, lounge access
(6) EURO internal, mostly from ZRH
(7) Everything that flies, LH, SAS, AY
(8) Mostly business but miles pay for pleasure.
Im looking for a new FF program. I mostly fly deep discount on specific dates (Mega-commute 3000 miles/4 segments per week). Due scheduling reasons I´m thinking about switching from OW to *A.
Basically I´m looking for *A program that returns more than 50% of deep discounted miles on SAS. Also status match with OW would be nice to have, but I´m rather looking for bigger +% on elite levels. Is there any *A airline that rewards on basis of miles flown regardless of the fare class?
I´m long time reader of Flyertalk, but now I´m facing an issue which would require a little bit broader knowledge, so hence my 1st post!
(1) ZRH / STO / HEL / MUC / FRA
(2) SAS O/T Deep discount (the usual -75% fare classes)
(3) 100k+ / 100+ segments
(4) AA PLT, AY Silver, AF FB
(5) Good rate of return per EUR spent on deep discount fares, status match or easy level on segments, lounge access
(6) EURO internal, mostly from ZRH
(7) Everything that flies, LH, SAS, AY
(8) Mostly business but miles pay for pleasure.
Im looking for a new FF program. I mostly fly deep discount on specific dates (Mega-commute 3000 miles/4 segments per week). Due scheduling reasons I´m thinking about switching from OW to *A.
Basically I´m looking for *A program that returns more than 50% of deep discounted miles on SAS. Also status match with OW would be nice to have, but I´m rather looking for bigger +% on elite levels. Is there any *A airline that rewards on basis of miles flown regardless of the fare class?
Oct 12, 2011 | 3:21 am
#497
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: ZRH
Posts: 13
(1) ZRH
(2) Mostly economy
(3) 25k-30k (but maybe 40k next year)
(4) nope
(5) Good award redemption rates, upgrades and extra baggage (10kg is sufficient)
(6) Intra-European plus 1 or 2 inter-continental trips per year
(7) lx, (tk)
(8) Mixture of both (for work, it's mostly lx.)
At first, I was considering A3, but I actually don't really need lounge access, as I have a DC cc and basic priority pass, and don't really care for priority boarding. I also have a cc that collects some M&M miles, but I don't think I will be able to collect any substantial amounts with it (around 10k per year). Mostly looking for a program with good redemption rates, high award availability and with low additional taxes.
Cheers and thanks in advance for any help!
(2) Mostly economy
(3) 25k-30k (but maybe 40k next year)
(4) nope
(5) Good award redemption rates, upgrades and extra baggage (10kg is sufficient)
(6) Intra-European plus 1 or 2 inter-continental trips per year
(7) lx, (tk)
(8) Mixture of both (for work, it's mostly lx.)
At first, I was considering A3, but I actually don't really need lounge access, as I have a DC cc and basic priority pass, and don't really care for priority boarding. I also have a cc that collects some M&M miles, but I don't think I will be able to collect any substantial amounts with it (around 10k per year). Mostly looking for a program with good redemption rates, high award availability and with low additional taxes.
Cheers and thanks in advance for any help!
Oct 12, 2011 | 5:11 am
#498
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) ZRH
(2) Mostly economy
(3) 25k-30k (but maybe 40k next year)
(4) nope
(5) Good award redemption rates, upgrades and extra baggage (10kg is sufficient)
(6) Intra-European plus 1 or 2 inter-continental trips per year
(7) lx, (tk)
(8) Mixture of both (for work, it's mostly lx.)
At first, I was considering A3, but I actually don't really need lounge access, as I have a DC cc and basic priority pass, and don't really care for priority boarding. I also have a cc that collects some M&M miles, but I don't think I will be able to collect any substantial amounts with it (around 10k per year). Mostly looking for a program with good redemption rates, high award availability and with low additional taxes.
Cheers and thanks in advance for any help!
(2) Mostly economy
(3) 25k-30k (but maybe 40k next year)
(4) nope
(5) Good award redemption rates, upgrades and extra baggage (10kg is sufficient)
(6) Intra-European plus 1 or 2 inter-continental trips per year
(7) lx, (tk)
(8) Mixture of both (for work, it's mostly lx.)
At first, I was considering A3, but I actually don't really need lounge access, as I have a DC cc and basic priority pass, and don't really care for priority boarding. I also have a cc that collects some M&M miles, but I don't think I will be able to collect any substantial amounts with it (around 10k per year). Mostly looking for a program with good redemption rates, high award availability and with low additional taxes.
Cheers and thanks in advance for any help!
Avoid M&M for obvious reasons..
Oct 12, 2011 | 9:19 pm
#499
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Switzerland
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium (LTG), IHG Amb, OW Sapphire
Posts: 1,675
OK Newbie here on the forum so I just wanted to see what would be best for me... 
(1) What is your home airport?
SIN
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
around 150,000 per year (at least 100k for sure)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
A3 Gold
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Upgrades and award tickets availability (coupled with low taxes for reward tix), ease of booking reward tix (A3 is a pain in the backside).
(6) Which routes do you fly most often
Intra-Asia (ex SIN to everywhere in Asia, India to the west, Japan to the East) + 1 or 2 flights to US or Europe per year.
(7) Preferred Airlines
SQ, CX, LX, KE, OZ
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Mainly for work but can usually chose the carrier. Fares booked are usually the ones qualifying for mileage redemption because I book quite late... so cheapest fares are usually not available anymore and my schedules change often, hence the need of booking flexible rates. No budget airlines at all, except for a few private trips.
Thanks!
(1) What is your home airport?
SIN
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
around 150,000 per year (at least 100k for sure)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
A3 Gold
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Upgrades and award tickets availability (coupled with low taxes for reward tix), ease of booking reward tix (A3 is a pain in the backside).
(6) Which routes do you fly most often
Intra-Asia (ex SIN to everywhere in Asia, India to the west, Japan to the East) + 1 or 2 flights to US or Europe per year.
(7) Preferred Airlines
SQ, CX, LX, KE, OZ
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Mainly for work but can usually chose the carrier. Fares booked are usually the ones qualifying for mileage redemption because I book quite late... so cheapest fares are usually not available anymore and my schedules change often, hence the need of booking flexible rates. No budget airlines at all, except for a few private trips.
Thanks!
Last edited by enelym1978; Oct 12, 2011 at 9:26 pm
Oct 12, 2011 | 10:16 pm
#500
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NY
Programs: HHonors Gold, SPG/Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, AAdvantage Plat Pro
Posts: 87
Help? I'm new.
So I've copied and pasted the questions from the first post and answered them. Essentially, I'm going to be a traveling a decent amount on US Airways and United over the next few months (probably years). I currently fly Delta a ton (segments, not miles) and will have Silver for 2012. Because of my new employer, it seems that Delta is not an option for business. When I book my flights, WHICH *A FF # should i use? I have a United and CO number that I haven't used in ages. I could sign up for US Airways.
(1) DCA/IAD
(2) Fully refundable economy fares - I don't know what letter this is - does CA or YCA mean anything?
(3) 25k-30k miles, but lots of segments though.
(4) Will have Delta Silver.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? In descending order: no checked bag fees, upgrades, lounge access, mile reward redemptions.
(6) 90% US Domestic Travel
(7) Favorite airline is Delta (I have DL Amex Gold Card), but now it has to be either US Airways or United
(8) Travel mostly for work - no choice in airline, really. Has to be the contracted airline for that route. For personal travel, I like Delta.
(1) DCA/IAD
(2) Fully refundable economy fares - I don't know what letter this is - does CA or YCA mean anything?
(3) 25k-30k miles, but lots of segments though.
(4) Will have Delta Silver.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? In descending order: no checked bag fees, upgrades, lounge access, mile reward redemptions.
(6) 90% US Domestic Travel
(7) Favorite airline is Delta (I have DL Amex Gold Card), but now it has to be either US Airways or United
(8) Travel mostly for work - no choice in airline, really. Has to be the contracted airline for that route. For personal travel, I like Delta.
Oct 13, 2011 | 12:30 am
#501
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LED
Programs: A3*G, AF/KL Gold, Hilton Gold, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 168
How many segments exactly?
If you fly over 60 segments on UA you would get Gold - and as you prioritize upgrades over lounge access it is better for you. Try to match your delta silver/sign up for challenge just before your flights with United will start.
If it is under 60 segments I would go for A3 gold - you would get free bag just after 4 segments in Y booking class/6 segments in any other flexible classes, gold after 26/38 segments (which is 3 free bags and lounge access while flying domestic)
If you fly over 60 segments on UA you would get Gold - and as you prioritize upgrades over lounge access it is better for you. Try to match your delta silver/sign up for challenge just before your flights with United will start.
If it is under 60 segments I would go for A3 gold - you would get free bag just after 4 segments in Y booking class/6 segments in any other flexible classes, gold after 26/38 segments (which is 3 free bags and lounge access while flying domestic)
Oct 13, 2011 | 3:08 am
#502
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
How many segments exactly?
If you fly over 60 segments on UA you would get Gold - and as you prioritize upgrades over lounge access it is better for you. Try to match your delta silver/sign up for challenge just before your flights with United will start.
If it is under 60 segments I would go for A3 gold - you would get free bag just after 4 segments in Y booking class/6 segments in any other flexible classes, gold after 26/38 segments (which is 3 free bags and lounge access while flying domestic)
If you fly over 60 segments on UA you would get Gold - and as you prioritize upgrades over lounge access it is better for you. Try to match your delta silver/sign up for challenge just before your flights with United will start.
If it is under 60 segments I would go for A3 gold - you would get free bag just after 4 segments in Y booking class/6 segments in any other flexible classes, gold after 26/38 segments (which is 3 free bags and lounge access while flying domestic)
If you fly more than 60 segments on COUA/US, then go for US/COUA.
If less than 60 segments, A3 is the best program for you.
Oct 13, 2011 | 4:05 am
#503
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
So I've copied and pasted the questions from the first post and answered them. Essentially, I'm going to be a traveling a decent amount on US Airways and United over the next few months (probably years). I currently fly Delta a ton (segments, not miles) and will have Silver for 2012. Because of my new employer, it seems that Delta is not an option for business. When I book my flights, WHICH *A FF # should i use? I have a United and CO number that I haven't used in ages. I could sign up for US Airways.
(1) DCA/IAD
(2) Fully refundable economy fares - I don't know what letter this is - does CA or YCA mean anything?
(3) 25k-30k miles, but lots of segments though.
(4) Will have Delta Silver.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? In descending order: no checked bag fees, upgrades, lounge access, mile reward redemptions.
(6) 90% US Domestic Travel
(7) Favorite airline is Delta (I have DL Amex Gold Card), but now it has to be either US Airways or United
(8) Travel mostly for work - no choice in airline, really. Has to be the contracted airline for that route. For personal travel, I like Delta.
(1) DCA/IAD
(2) Fully refundable economy fares - I don't know what letter this is - does CA or YCA mean anything?
(3) 25k-30k miles, but lots of segments though.
(4) Will have Delta Silver.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? In descending order: no checked bag fees, upgrades, lounge access, mile reward redemptions.
(6) 90% US Domestic Travel
(7) Favorite airline is Delta (I have DL Amex Gold Card), but now it has to be either US Airways or United
(8) Travel mostly for work - no choice in airline, really. Has to be the contracted airline for that route. For personal travel, I like Delta.
How many segments exactly?
If you fly over 60 segments on UA you would get Gold - and as you prioritize upgrades over lounge access it is better for you. Try to match your delta silver/sign up for challenge just before your flights with United will start.
If it is under 60 segments I would go for A3 gold - you would get free bag just after 4 segments in Y booking class/6 segments in any other flexible classes, gold after 26/38 segments (which is 3 free bags and lounge access while flying domestic)
If you fly over 60 segments on UA you would get Gold - and as you prioritize upgrades over lounge access it is better for you. Try to match your delta silver/sign up for challenge just before your flights with United will start.
If it is under 60 segments I would go for A3 gold - you would get free bag just after 4 segments in Y booking class/6 segments in any other flexible classes, gold after 26/38 segments (which is 3 free bags and lounge access while flying domestic)
Anyways, if they are Y/B/M fares, they will get priority on upgrades. So, it makes perfect sense to go to UA.
Oct 13, 2011 | 4:08 am
#504
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
OK Newbie here on the forum so I just wanted to see what would be best for me...
(1) What is your home airport?
SIN
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
around 150,000 per year (at least 100k for sure)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
A3 Gold
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Upgrades and award tickets availability (coupled with low taxes for reward tix), ease of booking reward tix (A3 is a pain in the backside).
(6) Which routes do you fly most often
Intra-Asia (ex SIN to everywhere in Asia, India to the west, Japan to the East) + 1 or 2 flights to US or Europe per year.
(7) Preferred Airlines
SQ, CX, LX, KE, OZ
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Mainly for work but can usually chose the carrier. Fares booked are usually the ones qualifying for mileage redemption because I book quite late... so cheapest fares are usually not available anymore and my schedules change often, hence the need of booking flexible rates. No budget airlines at all, except for a few private trips.
Thanks!
(1) What is your home airport?
SIN
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
around 150,000 per year (at least 100k for sure)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
A3 Gold
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Upgrades and award tickets availability (coupled with low taxes for reward tix), ease of booking reward tix (A3 is a pain in the backside).
(6) Which routes do you fly most often
Intra-Asia (ex SIN to everywhere in Asia, India to the west, Japan to the East) + 1 or 2 flights to US or Europe per year.
(7) Preferred Airlines
SQ, CX, LX, KE, OZ
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Mainly for work but can usually chose the carrier. Fares booked are usually the ones qualifying for mileage redemption because I book quite late... so cheapest fares are usually not available anymore and my schedules change often, hence the need of booking flexible rates. No budget airlines at all, except for a few private trips.
Thanks!
Check out the rules on Asiana, and enrol!
Oct 13, 2011 | 7:56 am
#505
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Switzerland
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium (LTG), IHG Amb, OW Sapphire
Posts: 1,675
Reward tix on Asiana have good availabilities?
Oct 13, 2011 | 8:00 am
#506
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
Highish YQ and Highish mile costs
that said, lifetime *G is a pretty incredible offer that I strongly do suggest.
Oct 13, 2011 | 8:10 am
#507
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 143
(Relevant, I suppose since OT was comparing to SQ)
Oct 13, 2011 | 8:40 am
#508
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Switzerland
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium (LTG), IHG Amb, OW Sapphire
Posts: 1,675
Can't really find any line that says that I can remain *G for life with Asiana? Can someone explain a bit more? Or is it simply by flying 40k miles every 24 months (which is not that much at the rate I'm flying) that I can remain *G. But then, A3 is the same by accruing 20k each year....
Oct 13, 2011 | 9:39 am
#509
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
Can't really find any line that says that I can remain *G for life with Asiana? Can someone explain a bit more? Or is it simply by flying 40k miles every 24 months (which is not that much at the rate I'm flying) that I can remain *G. But then, A3 is the same by accruing 20k each year....
Oct 13, 2011 | 9:40 am
#510
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