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
Dec 13, 2011 | 11:32 am
#661
Formerly known as GothamNurse
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, Mileagelus, Aadvantage, Hilton Gold, A|Club Platinum
Posts: 20
Dec 14, 2011 | 2:27 am
#662
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 12
Hi all.
Finally taking the plunge, decided on *A to park my points. Now it's just a question of which airline
(1) What is your home airport? LYS, but can leave from CDG or ORY if needed.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Clocked in over 35k+ thisyear
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Nothing.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge, Upgrde.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc) LYS/CDG > HKS > BNE
(7) Preferred Airlines SA and LH. Anything to avoid doing the France > UK > Asia dogleg
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both. Fully at liberty to chose whichever airlines suit me.
I don't mind flying LH at all. SA is of course great. Thanks for the tips guys.
As an aside, I just bought my sister and her husband 2x return BNE > CDG (Y class) - the points are mine if they're useful
Edits: Converted kilometres back to miles, and also realised that I'd forgotten to say thank you in advance - thank you.
Finally taking the plunge, decided on *A to park my points. Now it's just a question of which airline
(1) What is your home airport? LYS, but can leave from CDG or ORY if needed.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Clocked in over 35k+ thisyear
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Nothing.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge, Upgrde.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc) LYS/CDG > HKS > BNE
(7) Preferred Airlines SA and LH. Anything to avoid doing the France > UK > Asia dogleg
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both. Fully at liberty to chose whichever airlines suit me.
I don't mind flying LH at all. SA is of course great. Thanks for the tips guys.
As an aside, I just bought my sister and her husband 2x return BNE > CDG (Y class) - the points are mine if they're useful
Edits: Converted kilometres back to miles, and also realised that I'd forgotten to say thank you in advance - thank you.
Last edited by kweks; Dec 15, 2011 at 12:24 am
Dec 14, 2011 | 11:29 am
#663
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Berlin and NYC
Programs: United, Silver
Posts: 12
I need advice which *A FF
Hi everyone,
It's my first time here and still very new to all the lingo in this forum but I would appreciate any advice that you experts can share.
Here is the answers to the questions specified.
(1) What is your home airport? (mostly LGA as I live nearby but sometimes could be JFK if it's international)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (If it's work, whatever is available but usually tend to be the cheapest)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (about 10K-15K but average is 10K/year)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (Basic Membership with U Mileage Plus, AA and Delta)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Free or heavily discounted airline tickets to either Asia or Europe)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, East and Midwest)
(7) Preferred Airlines - no preference
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Work - yes, I can choose airlines but have to be within the 3 similar pricing quote)
Since I travel for work domestically, I thought I could accumulate all those mileage for a free airline ticket either to Asia or Europe. Parents is in Asia, so would prefer Asia over Europe but not going to be too picky. Any savings is still a saving. I am not big on any airport lounges. If anyone can advice me which airline's FF I should join, I would be most grateful.
Thank you in advance.
It's my first time here and still very new to all the lingo in this forum but I would appreciate any advice that you experts can share.
Here is the answers to the questions specified.
(1) What is your home airport? (mostly LGA as I live nearby but sometimes could be JFK if it's international)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (If it's work, whatever is available but usually tend to be the cheapest)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (about 10K-15K but average is 10K/year)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (Basic Membership with U Mileage Plus, AA and Delta)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Free or heavily discounted airline tickets to either Asia or Europe)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, East and Midwest)
(7) Preferred Airlines - no preference
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Work - yes, I can choose airlines but have to be within the 3 similar pricing quote)
Since I travel for work domestically, I thought I could accumulate all those mileage for a free airline ticket either to Asia or Europe. Parents is in Asia, so would prefer Asia over Europe but not going to be too picky. Any savings is still a saving. I am not big on any airport lounges. If anyone can advice me which airline's FF I should join, I would be most grateful.
Thank you in advance.
Last edited by sitegia; Dec 14, 2011 at 11:38 am
Dec 14, 2011 | 6:43 pm
#664
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
Hi everyone,
It's my first time here and still very new to all the lingo in this forum but I would appreciate any advice that you experts can share.
Here is the answers to the questions specified.
(1) What is your home airport? (mostly LGA as I live nearby but sometimes could be JFK if it's international)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (If it's work, whatever is available but usually tend to be the cheapest)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (about 10K-15K but average is 10K/year)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (Basic Membership with U Mileage Plus, AA and Delta)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Free or heavily discounted airline tickets to either Asia or Europe)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, East and Midwest)
(7) Preferred Airlines - no preference
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Work - yes, I can choose airlines but have to be within the 3 similar pricing quote)
Since I travel for work domestically, I thought I could accumulate all those mileage for a free airline ticket either to Asia or Europe. Parents is in Asia, so would prefer Asia over Europe but not going to be too picky. Any savings is still a saving. I am not big on any airport lounges. If anyone can advice me which airline's FF I should join, I would be most grateful.
Thank you in advance.
It's my first time here and still very new to all the lingo in this forum but I would appreciate any advice that you experts can share.
Here is the answers to the questions specified.
(1) What is your home airport? (mostly LGA as I live nearby but sometimes could be JFK if it's international)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (If it's work, whatever is available but usually tend to be the cheapest)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (about 10K-15K but average is 10K/year)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (Basic Membership with U Mileage Plus, AA and Delta)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Free or heavily discounted airline tickets to either Asia or Europe)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, East and Midwest)
(7) Preferred Airlines - no preference
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Work - yes, I can choose airlines but have to be within the 3 similar pricing quote)
Since I travel for work domestically, I thought I could accumulate all those mileage for a free airline ticket either to Asia or Europe. Parents is in Asia, so would prefer Asia over Europe but not going to be too picky. Any savings is still a saving. I am not big on any airport lounges. If anyone can advice me which airline's FF I should join, I would be most grateful.
Thank you in advance.
Earning/Burning wise, most *A carriers are similar, but A3 also gets you *S which puts it a level above competition for you.
Cheers
Dec 14, 2011 | 9:42 pm
#665
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 114
If one does not care about *S/*G status, UA/CO or US FF programs are better for earning and spending miles than A3 (or any program that charges fuel surcharge). *S gives one free bag on domestic UA/CO or US routes, though.
Dec 14, 2011 | 9:50 pm
#666
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,111
(1) What is your home airport? Omaha, NE
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Less than 20,000.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? AA Gold for Life
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Award availability to Hanover, Germany (HAJ)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? US Domestic
(7) Preferred Airlines? No preference
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
My primary need is to travel from OMA to HAJ, most often either 1 or 2 people. I have 500k with AA. However, OneWorld does not fly into HAJ. I have about 300,000 Starpoints and about 150k with United. I am looking for the best SA airlines that SPG can transfer points into. Naturally Lufthansa looked good but their SA redemption requirements are very high in comparison with United. United and Continental are out because the transfer option from SPG to them is 2:1. Singapore looks like a decent option, I just don't know the program to understand if it is wise to transfer a load of Starpoints in the hopes to redeem for SA awards from North America to Europe. I also really like the option to fly one way, however this is secondary.
Any input is much appreciated.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Less than 20,000.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? AA Gold for Life
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Award availability to Hanover, Germany (HAJ)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? US Domestic
(7) Preferred Airlines? No preference
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
My primary need is to travel from OMA to HAJ, most often either 1 or 2 people. I have 500k with AA. However, OneWorld does not fly into HAJ. I have about 300,000 Starpoints and about 150k with United. I am looking for the best SA airlines that SPG can transfer points into. Naturally Lufthansa looked good but their SA redemption requirements are very high in comparison with United. United and Continental are out because the transfer option from SPG to them is 2:1. Singapore looks like a decent option, I just don't know the program to understand if it is wise to transfer a load of Starpoints in the hopes to redeem for SA awards from North America to Europe. I also really like the option to fly one way, however this is secondary.
Any input is much appreciated.
Dec 15, 2011 | 12:54 am
#667
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: AS MVPG, AA P, A3 G, MU Gold, HH G, Marriott P
Posts: 207
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)BOS
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)Y if out of own pocket
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k) 50k-ish~
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc) Delta FO, AS MVPG, MU G
(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.)Lounge access, baggage, redemption
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc) US Domestic, Transatlantic
(7) Preferred Airlines none really for *A
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you choose your airlines, class of service?) both
Hi all, hope to get some help here~ so I've always been a ST person, and still fly a decent amount with ST. However, I'm trying to shift some of the travel to other alliances as well. I'm aiming to fly a couple of transpacific/transatlantic flights with *A annually, and would like to achieve *G if possible.
All inputs are greatly appreciated~
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)Y if out of own pocket
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k) 50k-ish~
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc) Delta FO, AS MVPG, MU G
(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.)Lounge access, baggage, redemption
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc) US Domestic, Transatlantic
(7) Preferred Airlines none really for *A
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you choose your airlines, class of service?) both
Hi all, hope to get some help here~ so I've always been a ST person, and still fly a decent amount with ST. However, I'm trying to shift some of the travel to other alliances as well. I'm aiming to fly a couple of transpacific/transatlantic flights with *A annually, and would like to achieve *G if possible.
All inputs are greatly appreciated~
Dec 15, 2011 | 6:26 am
#668
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2
n00b
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated!
(1) What is your home airport?
ZQN & MUC, based for 6 months in NZ & 6 months in GER
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
Varies.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present?
Silver *A earned on full economy flights.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Lounge Access - generally long stopovers enroute
(6) Which routes do you fly most often?
ZQN-AKL-LAX-LHR 2x year, ZQN-SYD-SIN-MUC 2x, 6x TransTasman Jul-Oct & 15+ US regional & EU regional per year - Nov-Jun.
(7) Preferred Airlines
Not fussy though NZ, SQ & LH are my main carriers
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
90% work
many thanks!
(1) What is your home airport?
ZQN & MUC, based for 6 months in NZ & 6 months in GER
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Economy
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
Varies.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present?
Silver *A earned on full economy flights.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Lounge Access - generally long stopovers enroute
(6) Which routes do you fly most often?
ZQN-AKL-LAX-LHR 2x year, ZQN-SYD-SIN-MUC 2x, 6x TransTasman Jul-Oct & 15+ US regional & EU regional per year - Nov-Jun.
(7) Preferred Airlines
Not fussy though NZ, SQ & LH are my main carriers
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
90% work
many thanks!
Dec 15, 2011 | 9:24 am
#669
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Berlin and NYC
Programs: United, Silver
Posts: 12
I would humbly disagree. The biggest difference is fuel surcharge and American carriers have a big advantage here. Also, A3 earning is fairly poor, many low cost fares earn 50% and some earn nothing.
If one does not care about *S/*G status, UA/CO or US FF programs are better for earning and spending miles than A3 (or any program that charges fuel surcharge). *S gives one free bag on domestic UA/CO or US routes, though.
If one does not care about *S/*G status, UA/CO or US FF programs are better for earning and spending miles than A3 (or any program that charges fuel surcharge). *S gives one free bag on domestic UA/CO or US routes, though.
I guess with me already joining UA/CO FF is good enough for now, right?
Dec 15, 2011 | 11:04 am
#670
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 114
A3 is Aegean Airlines. A3 has the lowest limit of achieving Star Alliance Gold elite status (*G): 20,000 miles within 12 months and only 4000 miles for Silver (*S). These limits are much higher for UA/CO or US: 25,000/50,000 miles within a calendar year for *S/*G. *S is rather useless but it gives one free bag on American domestic routes.
If you don't care about the elite status, I think this is probably the best option for you. You may also check US Airways. Nevertheless, expect a few years with your flying patterns to collect enough miles for an award ticket to Asia. And after a few years, a lot can change for better or worse with the frequent flyer programs (e.g., American carriers may start collecting fuel surcharge on award tickets).
I guess with me already joining UA/CO FF is good enough for now, right?
Dec 15, 2011 | 11:34 am
#671
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
Dec 15, 2011 | 11:36 am
#672
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAT / MAA / BOM
Programs: CO Plat; UA 1K; EK Gold
Posts: 5,110
I would humbly disagree. The biggest difference is fuel surcharge and American carriers have a big advantage here. Also, A3 earning is fairly poor, many low cost fares earn 50% and some earn nothing.
If one does not care about *S/*G status, UA/CO or US FF programs are better for earning and spending miles than A3 (or any program that charges fuel surcharge). *S gives one free bag on domestic UA/CO or US routes, though.
If one does not care about *S/*G status, UA/CO or US FF programs are better for earning and spending miles than A3 (or any program that charges fuel surcharge). *S gives one free bag on domestic UA/CO or US routes, though.
I would suggest US Airways....as the mileage redemption process seems very favorable.
Dec 16, 2011 | 10:18 am
#674
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 114
For somebody who is not flying a lot, the miles expiration is also important. SK miles expire after 5 years, whereas UA/CO or US miles do not expire provided that there is activity once every 18 months. With 10,000 a year flying, the 5-year expiration will prevent from getting a non-domestic award ticket.
Dec 18, 2011 | 10:48 am
#675
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 66
1) What is your home airport? NYC, but can buy from Asia if cheaper.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y/W with UG to J or lowest J
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 100k+
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? OW Silver, half way to *A gold. With change in Avios program looking to move off of BA/CX mileage use to Asia.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Upgrade to J
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc) NYC-KUL (but can do BKK or SIN and then AirAsia to KUL)
(7) Preferred Airlines: SQ (obviously) but with A380 only now from NYC rewards have become unaffordable
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Work - my choice of carrier/routing
I've found cheap fares from NYC to KUL on TK which I've taken a couple of times. Have joined Miles and Smiles, but not impressed with online side of program!
Thanks in advance
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y/W with UG to J or lowest J
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 100k+
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? OW Silver, half way to *A gold. With change in Avios program looking to move off of BA/CX mileage use to Asia.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Upgrade to J
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc) NYC-KUL (but can do BKK or SIN and then AirAsia to KUL)
(7) Preferred Airlines: SQ (obviously) but with A380 only now from NYC rewards have become unaffordable
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Work - my choice of carrier/routing
I've found cheap fares from NYC to KUL on TK which I've taken a couple of times. Have joined Miles and Smiles, but not impressed with online side of program!
Thanks in advance