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 7, 2010, 2:11 pm
#76
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriot Rewards, SPG, Jet Blue, US Airways, AA, Delta
Posts: 8
My info
(1) What is your home airport? LGA/JFK
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Coach for my personal travel, and a combination of coach and business class for work travel (B Class if its international)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? in the past, around 20k, but as I am now traveling a bunch more for work, probably 40k+ to include international (UK mostly)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None worth noting, although i just started paying attention to FF programs so I should have some status at SPG soon (just got the SPG AMEX) and I have about 60K miles on US.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Free stays at SPG (I want to sit on them until I can get a big vacation) and the airlines, fast check in and upgrades
(6) Which routes do you fly most often LGA-DCA, LGA-ACK, EWR-BHX, JFK-SFO
(7) Preferred Airlines I would have to say US right now, but only because they fly all over the north east where I live.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Mostly for work, but I travel about 10 times a year for weekends or vacations.
last note: I am looking to get a Airline CC to build up more miles. I already have an AMEX, so I am looking for a Mastercard or Visa, because I think its good practive to carry both. US would make the most sense, as thats who I fly the most, but their CCs dont look all that good compared to AA and some others. Any help would be awesome, thanks!
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Coach for my personal travel, and a combination of coach and business class for work travel (B Class if its international)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? in the past, around 20k, but as I am now traveling a bunch more for work, probably 40k+ to include international (UK mostly)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None worth noting, although i just started paying attention to FF programs so I should have some status at SPG soon (just got the SPG AMEX) and I have about 60K miles on US.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Free stays at SPG (I want to sit on them until I can get a big vacation) and the airlines, fast check in and upgrades
(6) Which routes do you fly most often LGA-DCA, LGA-ACK, EWR-BHX, JFK-SFO
(7) Preferred Airlines I would have to say US right now, but only because they fly all over the north east where I live.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Mostly for work, but I travel about 10 times a year for weekends or vacations.
last note: I am looking to get a Airline CC to build up more miles. I already have an AMEX, so I am looking for a Mastercard or Visa, because I think its good practive to carry both. US would make the most sense, as thats who I fly the most, but their CCs dont look all that good compared to AA and some others. Any help would be awesome, thanks!
Dec 8, 2010, 1:14 am
#77
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ*GE / EK*GOLD
Posts: 2,510
Starting a new job in Jan - used to be a heavy traveller (AADv EXP, LH SEN) but dropped off over last 2 years. I have AAdv MM status so will continue with AA in OW, but my LH account is spent on awards and no real status.....so
(1) What is your home airport? MEL
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? PremY or C
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? likely to be >50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? LH FT
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? free lounge access , good award redemption rates, priority services when flying the airline (in that order)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often MEL-LHR, MEL-BOM, MEL-LAX/ORD/JFK
(7) Preferred Airlines - within *A likely to be SQ/UA/TG/NZ given flight routes to MEL (happy to connect in SYD if worth it)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? mainly work but also pleasure (more likely to be on miles).
(1) What is your home airport? MEL
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? PremY or C
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? likely to be >50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? LH FT
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? free lounge access , good award redemption rates, priority services when flying the airline (in that order)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often MEL-LHR, MEL-BOM, MEL-LAX/ORD/JFK
(7) Preferred Airlines - within *A likely to be SQ/UA/TG/NZ given flight routes to MEL (happy to connect in SYD if worth it)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? mainly work but also pleasure (more likely to be on miles).
Last edited by Rebound; Dec 8, 2010 at 1:22 am
Dec 8, 2010, 11:36 am
#78
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
Will *A make sense for me? Which FFP?
(1) What is your home airport? ORD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Cheap Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? AA platinum
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Long-haul upgrades, lounge access, award tickets.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? US-Europe, US-Asia
(7) Preferred Airlines That's what I am researching here!
I can choose my airline(s).
As you can see I am with OW at present. Every year I consider if I should switch to *A as the AA prices are usually quite a bit higher on my routes than UA/CO.
From FFP point of view, will a switch to *A make sense for me, and if so, which specific program(s)?
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Cheap Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? AA platinum
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Long-haul upgrades, lounge access, award tickets.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? US-Europe, US-Asia
(7) Preferred Airlines That's what I am researching here!
I can choose my airline(s).
As you can see I am with OW at present. Every year I consider if I should switch to *A as the AA prices are usually quite a bit higher on my routes than UA/CO.
From FFP point of view, will a switch to *A make sense for me, and if so, which specific program(s)?
Last edited by aktchi; Dec 10, 2010 at 12:41 am
Dec 8, 2010, 1:46 pm
#79
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
Programs: AAdv GLD(MM), QF LTS, UA MP_nada, HH Gld, SPG, GoldenCircle Jade
Posts: 4,472
With NZ's new Y+ product next year your routing to the US could be very pleasant via NZ, SQ or QF would provide the best routing to BOM and likewise with LHR you have a few NZ/QF options for Y+ - NZ earn/burn rate isn't great so UA's program could be better for you. TBH a lot of those routes you will mainly be travelling could be served quite well by QF + OW - Add a QF credit card in Aus and any seat redemption it may be easier to be loyal to one side or the other?
I don't fancy flying QF to BOM as it would be via SYD and connecting in SYD domestic-international is the 8th circle of hell - ie I'm not going to do it. (stopovers or connections internationa-international are fine as they are within the same terminal).
Dec 8, 2010, 5:01 pm
#80
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Away offshore
Programs: UA Silver, HH Diamond, peasant elsewhere
Posts: 247
Not for me, but for my girlfriend - we're flying to London next week, and turns out she only has a DL account. I was going to sign her up for UA because I remembered reading something about a referral bonus, but turns out it was a targeted offer and I'm apparently not cool enough for it
.
Basically, I figure it's a sin for earned miles to go uncollected, and even though she doesn't fly often, she travels enough to keep the miles from expiring. So for the infrequent traveler, which program to choose? I guess the biggest things are award redemption/earning miles for discount coach fare classes.
(1) ORD or MKE
(2) The cheapest economy fare available
(3) 1-3 trips/year
(4) None
(6) US domestic/occasional TATL
. Basically, I figure it's a sin for earned miles to go uncollected, and even though she doesn't fly often, she travels enough to keep the miles from expiring. So for the infrequent traveler, which program to choose? I guess the biggest things are award redemption/earning miles for discount coach fare classes.
(1) ORD or MKE
(2) The cheapest economy fare available
(3) 1-3 trips/year
(4) None
(6) US domestic/occasional TATL
Dec 8, 2010, 6:04 pm
#81
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
Programs: AAdv GLD(MM), QF LTS, UA MP_nada, HH Gld, SPG, GoldenCircle Jade
Posts: 4,472
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?...thkey=CMXIoOAB
Notes:
- Earn=what I would earn on the route r/t
- Burn=what I would need for a reward on the route r/t
- Status=what I would earn in status on the route r/t
- Levels= status threshholds in the FPP (nor route related)
- MEL-LAX assumed to be on each respective carrier's metal (on UA no Y+ to buy so no idea what fare code it would be)
- MEL-BOM assumed to be on *A partners in full Y
- MEL-LHR would be on NZ or *A if UA MP
Do I have my figures correct?
So:
- does not seem to be much between them in terms of earn/burn rates - in fact NZ seems better in burn rates to NA.
- not much in status attaintment - but mid-tier on UA seems easier to get with MEL-BOM sectors
- I assume I will find it easier to get status match on UA to Prem from AAdv Gold than on NZ?
Now ofcourse if I can score a cheap C fare on UA MEL-LAX the entire equation changes.
Last edited by alect; Dec 8, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Dec 8, 2010, 6:07 pm
#82
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ*GE / EK*GOLD
Posts: 2,510
So sounds like NZ routings/metal and UA MP membership? I had a look at the UA MP earning chart on NZ - it doesn't seem to mention earn rates for NZ Y+?
I don't fancy flying QF to BOM as it would be via SYD and connecting in SYD domestic-international is the 8th circle of hell - ie I'm not going to do it. (stopovers or connections internationa-international are fine as they are within the same terminal).
I don't fancy flying QF to BOM as it would be via SYD and connecting in SYD domestic-international is the 8th circle of hell - ie I'm not going to do it. (stopovers or connections internationa-international are fine as they are within the same terminal).
Dec 9, 2010, 8:42 pm
#83
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM 1.77MM, Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 2,785
So sounds like NZ routings/metal and UA MP membership? I had a look at the UA MP earning chart on NZ - it doesn't seem to mention earn rates for NZ Y+?
I don't fancy flying QF to BOM as it would be via SYD and connecting in SYD domestic-international is the 8th circle of hell - ie I'm not going to do it. (stopovers or connections internationa-international are fine as they are within the same terminal).
I don't fancy flying QF to BOM as it would be via SYD and connecting in SYD domestic-international is the 8th circle of hell - ie I'm not going to do it. (stopovers or connections internationa-international are fine as they are within the same terminal).
Date Description Award Miles
Oct. 03, 2009 NZ 2 Y Class LAX to LHR * 5,439
Oct. 07, 2009 NZ 1 U Class LHR to LAX * 5,439
Dec 9, 2010, 10:49 pm
#84
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1
(1) What is your home airport?
SYD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Economy/Cheap
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
20k-30k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
None - Not even on a FFP as yet thus why I'm posting this
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Free flights/the best deal - Upgrades don't really interest me unless they're added on top. New to this so unsure on benefit/reward structures
(6) Which routes do you fly most often?
AUS-ASIA
(7) Preferred Airlines
Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Cebu Pacific Air
SYD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Economy/Cheap
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
20k-30k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
None - Not even on a FFP as yet thus why I'm posting this
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Free flights/the best deal - Upgrades don't really interest me unless they're added on top. New to this so unsure on benefit/reward structures
(6) Which routes do you fly most often?
AUS-ASIA
(7) Preferred Airlines
Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Air Asia, Cebu Pacific Air
Dec 10, 2010, 1:48 am
#85
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ*GE / EK*GOLD
Posts: 2,510
My LAX-LHR r/t on NZ last year credited to UA as Y miles (UA mileage is actually 5,456, so slight difference there as well). Sorry about the alignment of the columns, but I think you get the idea.
Date Description Award Miles
Oct. 03, 2009 NZ 2 Y Class LAX to LHR * 5,439
Oct. 07, 2009 NZ 1 U Class LHR to LAX * 5,439
Date Description Award Miles
Oct. 03, 2009 NZ 2 Y Class LAX to LHR * 5,439
Oct. 07, 2009 NZ 1 U Class LHR to LAX * 5,439
Dec 11, 2010, 1:02 pm
#86
Join Date: May 2010
Location: WAW, PL
Programs: Golden Lotus Plus Gold Elite, ASIANA Gold
Posts: 40
because its a 10,000 mile r/t from vancouver to warsaw and a 14k round trip to sgn. If you fly business, you'll get 2x status multiplier miles so that would be 20k or 28k miles respectively. Run 2 or 3 big trips like this a year or to vietnam, and 50k happens in no time. I had 2 z trips to europe this yr, plus my domestic flying and hit *g fairly easily. Status multipliers come in handy.
Last edited by gruszkatt; Dec 11, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Dec 11, 2010, 8:46 pm
#87
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
Ok thank you, i only fly on eco class, i should move to aeroplan but i just want the silver and gols statuses as soon as possible. To be silverwith ac, i have to wait until december next year and to be gold with a3, i have to wait only until august next year. And for me, the mose important things are lounge, and different priorities, with using miles i dont care aout that much, but thats right, with aeroplan it is like miles and more... A lot of "gifts". I dont know again which ffp to choose
They key is to determine your priorities. The lounge access can be tricky because sometimes they have funny rules about the kind of itinerary you have and whether its domestic or int'l. Sometimes your economy ticket, even with *gold may not automatically grant you entry into a lounge. Lounge access is not cut and dry unfortunately. You may want to visit Aeroplan's forum, M and M forum, and perhaps mileage plus, and ask their local expert in each group.
Dec 12, 2010, 11:13 pm
#88
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
Programs: AAdv GLD(MM), QF LTS, UA MP_nada, HH Gld, SPG, GoldenCircle Jade
Posts: 4,472
So it would seem that A3 is the easiest *A carrier to achieve *G on (given my travel patterns I would gain that level within the first 1-2 trips).
OZ also seems like an easy one although it requires double the miles (40k v. 20k on A3) but it's status lasts for 2 years and not 1. OZ only seems to award elite bonus for travel on OZ metal?
So given my travel on NZ/UA/SQ/TG I don't see a downside in joining the A3 Miles&Bonus FFP unless there are some issues with redeeming accrued miles on partner *A airlines (as compared to any other *A FFP)? I assume if the NH tool shows flight award availability it doesn't matter whether I am a A3 or NZ FFP member I can secure that seat for an award?
OZ also seems like an easy one although it requires double the miles (40k v. 20k on A3) but it's status lasts for 2 years and not 1. OZ only seems to award elite bonus for travel on OZ metal?
So given my travel on NZ/UA/SQ/TG I don't see a downside in joining the A3 Miles&Bonus FFP unless there are some issues with redeeming accrued miles on partner *A airlines (as compared to any other *A FFP)? I assume if the NH tool shows flight award availability it doesn't matter whether I am a A3 or NZ FFP member I can secure that seat for an award?
Dec 13, 2010, 7:40 am
#90
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: CO,UA,AA,Marriott,Avis
Posts: 1
Should I switch my primary airline?
(1) What is your home airport? SJO/SJC/OAK
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Cheap
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25-50k spikes more in some years
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? gold last year on CO now have Silver on Continental but that will end early in 2011
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? upgrades, easy award travel, early boarding, no baggage fees.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? SJC-IAH for work
(7) Preferred Airlines That's what I am researching here!
I am debating transfering to United for most things given that CO and UA are merging anyway and UA has more SFO based flights. With that in mind I am also considereding getting a UA card vs a CO card. UA card currently offering triple & double miles, on many purchases. for less in an annual fee. I am wondering though if using miles on UA is harder. i currently have 100k or so miles in my CO program that i am guessing will merge over times.
advice would be appreciated.
josh
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Cheap
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25-50k spikes more in some years
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? gold last year on CO now have Silver on Continental but that will end early in 2011
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? upgrades, easy award travel, early boarding, no baggage fees.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? SJC-IAH for work
(7) Preferred Airlines That's what I am researching here!
I am debating transfering to United for most things given that CO and UA are merging anyway and UA has more SFO based flights. With that in mind I am also considereding getting a UA card vs a CO card. UA card currently offering triple & double miles, on many purchases. for less in an annual fee. I am wondering though if using miles on UA is harder. i currently have 100k or so miles in my CO program that i am guessing will merge over times.
advice would be appreciated.
josh