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
Feb 23, 2012 | 1:44 pm
#871
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New Zealand
Programs: Asiana Silver (2012), AirNZ Jade
Posts: 316
Guessed they changed it for 2012 ... I did up a spreadsheet in Dec/Jan.
Another note to be aware at least I know with United or Air Canada and maybe others, to get status, some FFPs stipulate that you need to do at least x amount of flights with them (even if you reach the required 50k or whatever). You cannot just fly partners. You may get awards or upgrades but may not get status.
Another note to be aware at least I know with United or Air Canada and maybe others, to get status, some FFPs stipulate that you need to do at least x amount of flights with them (even if you reach the required 50k or whatever). You cannot just fly partners. You may get awards or upgrades but may not get status.
Feb 26, 2012 | 7:00 pm
#872
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DTW, TXL
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, American, HHonors Gold
Posts: 33
I usually fly with my family in tow, 1 child (soon to be two) and the wife. The whole family will be joining the FF I join if we move from Delta, if that means anything. I have never applied for an airline CC because of the fees, but I would if it benefited me. I think that time might be coming. Mostly want to accumulate miles to use for flights, but getting an upgrade on a flight to the EU might be nice, if possible, which on Delta it never is.
(1) What is your home airport? (DTW, TXL)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (U, T)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (25K)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (No)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Upgrades on travel, good award redemption rates.)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (Transatlantic, Caribbean, Mexico)
(7) Preferred Airlines (Have about 40K saved on Delta, but I could move to another airline)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Pleasure)
(1) What is your home airport? (DTW, TXL)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (U, T)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (25K)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (No)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Upgrades on travel, good award redemption rates.)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (Transatlantic, Caribbean, Mexico)
(7) Preferred Airlines (Have about 40K saved on Delta, but I could move to another airline)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Pleasure)
Feb 28, 2012 | 11:39 pm
#873
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 1
(1) What is your home airport? ZRH
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? 50% C 50% Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 50/60K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? BA Gold
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access. Upgrades.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Transatlantic and short haul european
(7) Preferred Airlines SWISS
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?) Primarily business. Have a choice of airlines and class within budget.
Not sure whether I should go with Swiss M&M and struggle to get Senator if I should just get Aegean and guarantee myself *G. What would the disadvantages of this approach be?
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? 50% C 50% Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 50/60K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? BA Gold
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access. Upgrades.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Transatlantic and short haul european
(7) Preferred Airlines SWISS
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?) Primarily business. Have a choice of airlines and class within budget.
Not sure whether I should go with Swiss M&M and struggle to get Senator if I should just get Aegean and guarantee myself *G. What would the disadvantages of this approach be?
Feb 29, 2012 | 12:07 am
#874
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? ZRH
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? 50% C 50% Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 50/60K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? BA Gold
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access. Upgrades.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Transatlantic and short haul european
(7) Preferred Airlines SWISS
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?) Primarily business. Have a choice of airlines and class within budget.
Not sure whether I should go with Swiss M&M and struggle to get Senator if I should just get Aegean and guarantee myself *G. What would the disadvantages of this approach be?
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? 50% C 50% Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 50/60K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? BA Gold
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access. Upgrades.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Transatlantic and short haul european
(7) Preferred Airlines SWISS
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?) Primarily business. Have a choice of airlines and class within budget.
Not sure whether I should go with Swiss M&M and struggle to get Senator if I should just get Aegean and guarantee myself *G. What would the disadvantages of this approach be?
Mar 1, 2012 | 1:52 am
#875
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SNA
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH LTD
Posts: 1,781
(1) What is your home airport? LNZ
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Y (90%), discounted C (10%)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 200K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? LH SEN
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Upgrades
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? TATL, East Asia
(7) Preferred Airlines?
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?) Work. Have a choice of airlines and class within budget.
I usually requalify for SEN within 6 months and won't make HON. I would like to qualify for another FFP that provides better options for upgrades, since they are very rare on LH. I fly mainly (LNZ)-FRA-YYZ/YUL/MEX/NRT/HKG/ICN/BKK and few short-haul European destinations. Most flights will be on LH and AC. I consider UA/MP (for SWU's) and maybe AC/AP. Thanks for your input.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Y (90%), discounted C (10%)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 200K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? LH SEN
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Upgrades
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? TATL, East Asia
(7) Preferred Airlines?
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?) Work. Have a choice of airlines and class within budget.
I usually requalify for SEN within 6 months and won't make HON. I would like to qualify for another FFP that provides better options for upgrades, since they are very rare on LH. I fly mainly (LNZ)-FRA-YYZ/YUL/MEX/NRT/HKG/ICN/BKK and few short-haul European destinations. Most flights will be on LH and AC. I consider UA/MP (for SWU's) and maybe AC/AP. Thanks for your input.
Mar 1, 2012 | 6:24 am
#876
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amsterdam
Programs: Continental Airlines
Posts: 37
Delta's Sky Miles, KLM's Flying Blue, or What?
(1) What is your home airport? MEX, but AMS might become my home.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? L
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 30,000
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? OnePass Elite Level: Non-Elite
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often AMS-MEX-AMS
(7) Preferred Airlines 1. British 2. Continental 3. KLM.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Hi,
I make about four AMS-MEX-AMS flights a year; I tend to use KLM, and Continental indistinctly (I go for the lower price I can find) hence my frequent flyer (FF) miles account seems to be stuck and not growing very much.
Therefore, I was wondering which FF programme should I opt to consolidate my miles with. Not that the airline industry is eagerly giving away free flights/upgrades, but KLM seems to be particularly stringent with their miles.
Should I opt for KLM and their stingy Flying Blue programme (AMS has became a somewhat frequented airport by me and perhaps will become my home airport) or should I opt for Delta's Sky Miles (MEX is my home airport)? Should I even consider Aeromexico's (AM) Club Premier (75% miles when booking in V,L,W, and P) even though I almost never fly with them? Or should I stay within the Star Alliance's realms and stick to Continental's OnePass?
I hope that my question is not too
.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Moderators: Is this the adequate forum to post this question? Feel free to move it to the appropriate one.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? L
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 30,000
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? OnePass Elite Level: Non-Elite
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often AMS-MEX-AMS
(7) Preferred Airlines 1. British 2. Continental 3. KLM.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Hi,
I make about four AMS-MEX-AMS flights a year; I tend to use KLM, and Continental indistinctly (I go for the lower price I can find) hence my frequent flyer (FF) miles account seems to be stuck and not growing very much.
Therefore, I was wondering which FF programme should I opt to consolidate my miles with. Not that the airline industry is eagerly giving away free flights/upgrades, but KLM seems to be particularly stringent with their miles.
Should I opt for KLM and their stingy Flying Blue programme (AMS has became a somewhat frequented airport by me and perhaps will become my home airport) or should I opt for Delta's Sky Miles (MEX is my home airport)? Should I even consider Aeromexico's (AM) Club Premier (75% miles when booking in V,L,W, and P) even though I almost never fly with them? Or should I stay within the Star Alliance's realms and stick to Continental's OnePass?
I hope that my question is not too
.Thank you in advance for your help.
Moderators: Is this the adequate forum to post this question? Feel free to move it to the appropriate one.
Mar 1, 2012 | 8:20 am
#877
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? MEX, but AMS might become my home.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? L
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 30,000
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? OnePass Elite Level: Non-Elite
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often AMS-MEX-AMS
(7) Preferred Airlines 1. British 2. Continental 3. KLM.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Hi,
I make about four AMS-MEX-AMS flights a year; I tend to use KLM, and Continental indistinctly (I go for the lower price I can find) hence my frequent flyer (FF) miles account seems to be stuck and not growing very much.
Therefore, I was wondering which FF programme should I opt to consolidate my miles with. Not that the airline industry is eagerly giving away free flights/upgrades, but KLM seems to be particularly stringent with their miles.
Should I opt for KLM and their stingy Flying Blue programme (AMS has became a somewhat frequented airport by me and perhaps will become my home airport) or should I opt for Delta's Sky Miles (MEX is my home airport)? Should I even consider Aeromexico's (AM) Club Premier (75% miles when booking in V,L,W, and P) even though I almost never fly with them? Or should I stay within the Star Alliance's realms and stick to Continental's OnePass?
I hope that my question is not too.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Moderators: Is this the adequate forum to post this question? Feel free to move it to the appropriate one.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? L
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 30,000
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? OnePass Elite Level: Non-Elite
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often AMS-MEX-AMS
(7) Preferred Airlines 1. British 2. Continental 3. KLM.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Hi,
I make about four AMS-MEX-AMS flights a year; I tend to use KLM, and Continental indistinctly (I go for the lower price I can find) hence my frequent flyer (FF) miles account seems to be stuck and not growing very much.
Therefore, I was wondering which FF programme should I opt to consolidate my miles with. Not that the airline industry is eagerly giving away free flights/upgrades, but KLM seems to be particularly stringent with their miles.
Should I opt for KLM and their stingy Flying Blue programme (AMS has became a somewhat frequented airport by me and perhaps will become my home airport) or should I opt for Delta's Sky Miles (MEX is my home airport)? Should I even consider Aeromexico's (AM) Club Premier (75% miles when booking in V,L,W, and P) even though I almost never fly with them? Or should I stay within the Star Alliance's realms and stick to Continental's OnePass?
I hope that my question is not too
.Thank you in advance for your help.
Moderators: Is this the adequate forum to post this question? Feel free to move it to the appropriate one.
It's really important to check that the fare class you book earns miles on the program you pick before you book though.
Mar 2, 2012 | 2:08 pm
#878
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: London, Singapore
Programs: EK Skywards, SQ KrisFlyer, Virgin Atlantic White (UK), Citi PremierMiles (SG)
Posts: 61
Hi guys, so I managed to get a job that might offer me the possibility to continue my jetsetting lifestyle, only that from now on, the company would be paying for it.
I need your help to suggest the best FFP.
(1) What is your home airport?
Reply: LHR/LGW and SIN for leisure
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class?
Reply: 25k-50k in cattle class
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Reply: Cattle, always
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Usually EK for pleasure, Ryanair for UK-EU for pleasure. For work, it might involve UK-US, UK-South America and UK-Ireland, rest of EU.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often?
Reply: LHR/LGW-SIN 1-2x per year, UK-EU flights 2-4x per year
(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it?
Reply: EK Skywards (30k points), SQ Krisflyer (80k points), QF (12k points) all with no status, except EK where there is a chance to upgrade to Silver soon.
(7) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Extra baggage allowance for longhaul, good award redemption rates, better award access.
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: EK, SQ, don't really like QF and never taken BA before. LH is not too bad for continental flights, actually.
(9) Remarks:
I'm definitely keeping my EK FFP (30k with a chance to upgrade to Silver soon). I'm collecting lots of points from my Singapore credit card on SQ's Krisflyer (80k). I have 12k points in QF and naught in my AAdvantage membership.
Could you also suggest the best UK-based credit card to earn miles that I could credit into either a *A or OW FFP?
I need your help to suggest the best FFP.
(1) What is your home airport?
Reply: LHR/LGW and SIN for leisure
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class?
Reply: 25k-50k in cattle class
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Reply: Cattle, always
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Usually EK for pleasure, Ryanair for UK-EU for pleasure. For work, it might involve UK-US, UK-South America and UK-Ireland, rest of EU.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often?
Reply: LHR/LGW-SIN 1-2x per year, UK-EU flights 2-4x per year
(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it?
Reply: EK Skywards (30k points), SQ Krisflyer (80k points), QF (12k points) all with no status, except EK where there is a chance to upgrade to Silver soon.
(7) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Extra baggage allowance for longhaul, good award redemption rates, better award access.
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: EK, SQ, don't really like QF and never taken BA before. LH is not too bad for continental flights, actually.
(9) Remarks:
I'm definitely keeping my EK FFP (30k with a chance to upgrade to Silver soon). I'm collecting lots of points from my Singapore credit card on SQ's Krisflyer (80k). I have 12k points in QF and naught in my AAdvantage membership.
Could you also suggest the best UK-based credit card to earn miles that I could credit into either a *A or OW FFP?
Mar 6, 2012 | 6:22 am
#879
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Programs: ANA SFC, Priority Club
Posts: 57
Switch?
(1) What is your home airport? GVA
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Discounted Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? ANA Plat, also have SFC
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Pooling miles, no expiration of miles, better earning?
(6) Which routes do you fly most often Europe-USA, Europe-Asia
(7) Preferred Airlines: NH, LH, LX
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? pleasure, rarely for work (in paid C)
At present, we (wife, two young children and I) are all enrolled in ANA mileage club and are using the Family service to pool our miles. As my wife and I both have the SFC, at present we are not concerned about status. Generally, we've been quite happy with ANA, but we were wondering if there was a program that would allow us to (1) pool our miles, (2) accumulate miles without expiration (the three year limit on ANA chafes a bit at our low earning levels), and (3) earn more miles for less expensive flights.
Thoughts?
-Kush
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Discounted Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25k-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? ANA Plat, also have SFC
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Pooling miles, no expiration of miles, better earning?
(6) Which routes do you fly most often Europe-USA, Europe-Asia
(7) Preferred Airlines: NH, LH, LX
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? pleasure, rarely for work (in paid C)
At present, we (wife, two young children and I) are all enrolled in ANA mileage club and are using the Family service to pool our miles. As my wife and I both have the SFC, at present we are not concerned about status. Generally, we've been quite happy with ANA, but we were wondering if there was a program that would allow us to (1) pool our miles, (2) accumulate miles without expiration (the three year limit on ANA chafes a bit at our low earning levels), and (3) earn more miles for less expensive flights.
Thoughts?
-Kush
Mar 6, 2012 | 7:56 pm
#880
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 2
Hello. I am quite new here and to FFP, though not a complete noob. My situation is a little special in that I do not plan to have a home airport for the next few years, so I thought I'd ask the experts for help.
I have cross posted this to the Oneworld thread, because I hold some LANPASS miles.
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: None planned. Currently EZE (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
Reply: At least 25k. Maybe over 50k.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ? ( First, Business, Economy etc.)
Reply: Economy
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: I can choose. Leisure.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: I plan to spend the next few years flying mainly between Asia, Europe and Oceania/Pacific. Only occasionally to the Americas or Africa.
(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it? (AA Executive Platinum, QF Gold, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply: Have 38019Km in LANPASS of which 25602 were this year. No status.
(7) What is most important to you in a FFP? (upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply: Upgrades on travel, lounge access. Awards only in a distant third place. Is lifetime status worth it?
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: Do not have a preference at all. So far I have flown the cheapest.
tl;dr
Long version:
Due to my job, I am able to be anywhere I like in the world, and as I know from experience I love that lifestyle, I plan to do just that for the foreseable future (5-10 years). The regions that interest me the most are Asia, Europe and the Pacific (in that order). I will not have a home airport and will be self funded. Being a resident of Argentina, I can't access any worthwhile credit card offers.
As you can see, this is not an easy problem to crack for a newbie, so any help is very much appreciated! Thank you!
I have cross posted this to the Oneworld thread, because I hold some LANPASS miles.
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: None planned. Currently EZE (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
Reply: At least 25k. Maybe over 50k.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ? ( First, Business, Economy etc.)
Reply: Economy
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: I can choose. Leisure.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: I plan to spend the next few years flying mainly between Asia, Europe and Oceania/Pacific. Only occasionally to the Americas or Africa.
(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it? (AA Executive Platinum, QF Gold, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply: Have 38019Km in LANPASS of which 25602 were this year. No status.
(7) What is most important to you in a FFP? (upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply: Upgrades on travel, lounge access. Awards only in a distant third place. Is lifetime status worth it?
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: Do not have a preference at all. So far I have flown the cheapest.
tl;dr
- Starting a nomadic lifestyle
- Plan to move a minimum of 3-4 times a year
- Mainly between Asia, Europe and Oceania/Pacific.
- Less than once a year the Americas.
- Self-funded.
- Earning from flying mostly.
Long version:
Due to my job, I am able to be anywhere I like in the world, and as I know from experience I love that lifestyle, I plan to do just that for the foreseable future (5-10 years). The regions that interest me the most are Asia, Europe and the Pacific (in that order). I will not have a home airport and will be self funded. Being a resident of Argentina, I can't access any worthwhile credit card offers.
As you can see, this is not an easy problem to crack for a newbie, so any help is very much appreciated! Thank you!
Mar 8, 2012 | 5:06 pm
#881
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: KOA-LAX
Programs: UA, HA, AA
Posts: 2
Hawaii Resident KOA-UA Premier until I find better FF program, Suggestions please!
2012 UA Premier. Don't fly as much since retiring to HI. (25-50k year) With the merger, I am seeing the benefit disappear.
Any suggestions on which FF program to switch my focus to?
Really enjoyed the benefit of Economy Plus seating, two bags, priority boarding.
Fly mostly to mainland, Europe, Caribbean.
Have 181,000 UA miles, UA Credit Card, AA miles and AA credit card.
Thanks in advance!
Chopped Liver in Kona
Any suggestions on which FF program to switch my focus to?
Really enjoyed the benefit of Economy Plus seating, two bags, priority boarding.
Fly mostly to mainland, Europe, Caribbean.
Have 181,000 UA miles, UA Credit Card, AA miles and AA credit card.
Thanks in advance!
Chopped Liver in Kona
Last edited by ItsMeYasmin; Mar 8, 2012 at 5:11 pm Reason: not enough info
Mar 9, 2012 | 12:16 am
#882
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 599
(1) What is your home airport? (SEA Seattle)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (Cheapest economy coach)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (Annually 2-3 trips to Europe/Asia, 7-8 domestic trips)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (None)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Using miles to get cheap/free flights)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (Besides several domestic, annually 1 trip to somewhere in europe, and 1-2 trips somewhere in asia)
(7) Preferred Airlines (Don't care, whichever's giving the best deal)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Pleasure)
I do right now have some miles in United, Alaska, Delta and American plans - but I used to be naive, now I want to do more consolidated travel
Thanks!
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (Cheapest economy coach)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (Annually 2-3 trips to Europe/Asia, 7-8 domestic trips)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (None)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Using miles to get cheap/free flights)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (Besides several domestic, annually 1 trip to somewhere in europe, and 1-2 trips somewhere in asia)
(7) Preferred Airlines (Don't care, whichever's giving the best deal)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Pleasure)
I do right now have some miles in United, Alaska, Delta and American plans - but I used to be naive, now I want to do more consolidated travel
Thanks!
Mar 9, 2012 | 6:54 am
#883
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Afghanistan
Programs: Skywards| Mileage Plus
Posts: 37
(1) What is your home airport? DXB(for the next year or two then JAX)(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Your standard economy seat unless I can get a good deal on business.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 20k-35k.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? 2k miles from Emirates Silver. I memberships with United and Thai Airways but nothing really on them.
(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.) Chance at upgrades and lounges.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc). I get to travel every 3 months and I go to Europe in the summer and SE Asia/Middle East other times. Long haul from DXB to ATL or IAD about once a year.
(7) Preferred Airlines-Don't know. Been Emirates for a while. Qatar and Turkish seem interesting
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 20k-35k.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? 2k miles from Emirates Silver. I memberships with United and Thai Airways but nothing really on them.
(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.) Chance at upgrades and lounges.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc). I get to travel every 3 months and I go to Europe in the summer and SE Asia/Middle East other times. Long haul from DXB to ATL or IAD about once a year.
(7) Preferred Airlines-Don't know. Been Emirates for a while. Qatar and Turkish seem interesting
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
Mar 11, 2012 | 7:34 am
#884
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Beijing
Programs: AC Elite CZ Silver AA nobody
Posts: 1
hello
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
PEK
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Y usually and try to get upgarded
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
more than 100k overall but usually only 50k with SA
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
AC Elite, CZ elite in skyteam
(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, upgrades
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
I fly domestic routes in china every week + 2 RT to YUL every year + 4 RT to GYE every year
(7) Preferred Airlines
SIngapore, Thai, ANA and AC for north america
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
travel for work inside china and to YUL but for pleasure tu GYE. I dont choose inside of China but can chose YUL and GYE.
Usualy go United and AC for YUL. For GYE i go with air china with american after or TACA this year. Sometimes takes KLM also.
I found that AC is getting more and more difficlut with the AC minimum and this year need 50k to qualify but i dont want to lose the status.... anyway thank you
PEK
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Y usually and try to get upgarded
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
more than 100k overall but usually only 50k with SA
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
AC Elite, CZ elite in skyteam
(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, upgrades
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
I fly domestic routes in china every week + 2 RT to YUL every year + 4 RT to GYE every year
(7) Preferred Airlines
SIngapore, Thai, ANA and AC for north america
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
travel for work inside china and to YUL but for pleasure tu GYE. I dont choose inside of China but can chose YUL and GYE.
Usualy go United and AC for YUL. For GYE i go with air china with american after or TACA this year. Sometimes takes KLM also.
I found that AC is getting more and more difficlut with the AC minimum and this year need 50k to qualify but i dont want to lose the status.... anyway thank you
Mar 12, 2012 | 9:24 am
#885
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: New York
Programs: KrisFlyer, Marco Polo, SPG
Posts: 15
NYC-Asia, some domestic - which program?
(1) What is your home airport? NYC
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 50-80K
(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, good award redemption, upgrades.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often: Domestic US 50%, NYC-Asia
(7) Preferred Airlines: CX, OZ, NH, SQ, basically any Asian airline preferably *A. Domestic I suppose United or US Airways.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Mostly for pleasure.
Any and all help is appreciated. I used to be *G with SQ/KF for 5 years straight and Sapphire with CX/MP. Now that I'm back in NYC, I'm thinking UA/CO might be the best option? Or perhaps it would do me better to use an Asian airline?
EDIT: I forgot to mention that I build most of my CC spend in AMEX MR, Chase Sapphire and AMEX SPG, so the ability to transfer from those programs also carries weight to the decision.
2nd EDIT: Since you can't xfer AMEX MR to UA/CO but you can to most other airlines, maybe building elite status in UA is the best option since transferred miles don't really add value except for being redeemable (unless of course elite status reduces award costs in some fashion)?
Thanks in advance
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 50-80K
(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, good award redemption, upgrades.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often: Domestic US 50%, NYC-Asia
(7) Preferred Airlines: CX, OZ, NH, SQ, basically any Asian airline preferably *A. Domestic I suppose United or US Airways.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Mostly for pleasure.
Any and all help is appreciated. I used to be *G with SQ/KF for 5 years straight and Sapphire with CX/MP. Now that I'm back in NYC, I'm thinking UA/CO might be the best option? Or perhaps it would do me better to use an Asian airline?
EDIT: I forgot to mention that I build most of my CC spend in AMEX MR, Chase Sapphire and AMEX SPG, so the ability to transfer from those programs also carries weight to the decision.
2nd EDIT: Since you can't xfer AMEX MR to UA/CO but you can to most other airlines, maybe building elite status in UA is the best option since transferred miles don't really add value except for being redeemable (unless of course elite status reduces award costs in some fashion)?
Thanks in advance
Last edited by classacts; Mar 12, 2012 at 10:55 am