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
Apr 25, 2012 | 6:28 am
#917
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Berlin
Programs: LH SEN, BA Gold, SK Gold; Accor Diamond; IHG Diamond-Amb; Meli/HH/Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,682
Be sure to read the programm terms and conditions (and in particular to check the earning rates for your most likely carriers and class(-es) of travel) before making a final decision!
Apr 28, 2012 | 11:41 am
#918
Join Date: Sep 2002
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium
Posts: 247
I will be moving to DXB soon, planning to travel extensively around the region, and to Europe from time to time.
There seem to be no *A airlines based in Dubai, but I still want to join a *A FFP for the eventual flight to Europe.
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
DXB
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Y mostly
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
I will do >50k the next year, around 30k with *A airlines
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
No
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
Award redemption for family, to travel from BCN to DXB
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
Middle east from DXB
There seem to be no *A airlines based in Dubai, but I still want to join a *A FFP for the eventual flight to Europe.
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
DXB
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Y mostly
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
I will do >50k the next year, around 30k with *A airlines
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
No
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
Award redemption for family, to travel from BCN to DXB
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
Middle east from DXB
Apr 28, 2012 | 12:16 pm
#919
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Singapore
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 80
I'm trying to determine which *A FF scheme to join, but I'm also open to joining a Skyteam or Oneworld FF scheme if you guys think it would be a better fit.
Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing what you guys have to say.
To answer the questions from the initial post:
(1) What is your home airport?
Currently, it's OSL. However, we're considering moving to Singapore, so then it would be SIN. For the rest of this post, I'll assume we're moving to Singapore as that seems most likely.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
I usually buy the cheapest economy fares I can find that fit with my schedule.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
On average, somewhere between 15K and 25K, but that will likely bump up to 25K to 35K.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
No, but I have approximately 40,000 United Mileage Plus miles
(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.)
Upgrades on travel and lounge access are the most important to me.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
Our family consists of an American (me) from the southeast, a Norwegian (my wife), and our son. As a result, we will fly at least once a year from SIN to the southeast (either ATL or SAV) and from SIN to OSL. Outside of those two yearly trips, most of our travel will likely be long weekend type getaways within Asia.
(7) Preferred Airlines
I don't have any strong preferences.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
Currently, almost all of our traveling is for pleasure, but it would not be completely unexpected to have some work related travel as well. We can choose airlines and class of service.
Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing what you guys have to say.
To answer the questions from the initial post:
(1) What is your home airport?
Currently, it's OSL. However, we're considering moving to Singapore, so then it would be SIN. For the rest of this post, I'll assume we're moving to Singapore as that seems most likely.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
I usually buy the cheapest economy fares I can find that fit with my schedule.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
On average, somewhere between 15K and 25K, but that will likely bump up to 25K to 35K.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
No, but I have approximately 40,000 United Mileage Plus miles
(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.)
Upgrades on travel and lounge access are the most important to me.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
Our family consists of an American (me) from the southeast, a Norwegian (my wife), and our son. As a result, we will fly at least once a year from SIN to the southeast (either ATL or SAV) and from SIN to OSL. Outside of those two yearly trips, most of our travel will likely be long weekend type getaways within Asia.
(7) Preferred Airlines
I don't have any strong preferences.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
Currently, almost all of our traveling is for pleasure, but it would not be completely unexpected to have some work related travel as well. We can choose airlines and class of service.
Apr 29, 2012 | 1:48 am
#920
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-PP, HL-DM, MR-LTP, HY-LTG
Posts: 26,017
I'm trying to determine which *A FF scheme to join, but I'm also open to joining a Skyteam or Oneworld FF scheme if you guys think it would be a better fit.
Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing what you guys have to say.
To answer the questions from the initial post:
..
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
No, but I have approximately 40,000 United Mileage Plus miles
(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.)
Upgrades on travel and lounge access are the most important to me.
..
Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing what you guys have to say.
To answer the questions from the initial post:
..
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
No, but I have approximately 40,000 United Mileage Plus miles
(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.)
Upgrades on travel and lounge access are the most important to me.
..
Apr 29, 2012 | 11:32 am
#921
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Singapore
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 80
Thanks for the reply. I had looked at Krisflyer, but it just didn't seem like a very attractive program. Is there some level at which Krisflyer actually makes some sense to pick or will another *A carrier always be a better pick?
Apr 29, 2012 | 12:42 pm
#922
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SIN (with a bit of ZRH sprinkled in)
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold
Posts: 9,606
You do now (since very recent) earn miles on even the cheapest SQ fares, as well as on Silk Air flights (which don't earn you any on *A) - and with status, you do have benefits when travelling on Silk Air too.
So, if your company, for example, forces you to fly a lot with SQ and Silk Air in cheap eco fares, it might make sense to collect on their programs. For lounge access, a *G status from another program will be useful, of course.
Apr 30, 2012 | 11:25 pm
#923
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
LAX, but I will probably move to Bejing or NYC
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
now 20k, but will double from next year
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
none
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
upgrade on travel and free lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
U.S~China
(7) Preferred Airlines
NOT air china
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
both
LAX, but I will probably move to Bejing or NYC
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
now 20k, but will double from next year
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Premier, M&M Senator etc)
none
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
upgrade on travel and free lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
U.S~China
(7) Preferred Airlines
NOT air china
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
both
May 1, 2012 | 1:53 am
#924
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Berlin
Programs: LH SEN, BA Gold, SK Gold; Accor Diamond; IHG Diamond-Amb; Meli/HH/Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,682
Welcome to FlyerTalk, webgogo!
You're not making it easy for us. 
Seriously, I suspect people will offer different answers depending on (i) which home city you decide on; (ii) which origin and destination cities in China and the US are most important to you, (iii) the remainder of your likely flying schedule (e.g. US domestic, China domestic).
Can you help us a little?
Seriously, I suspect people will offer different answers depending on (i) which home city you decide on; (ii) which origin and destination cities in China and the US are most important to you, (iii) the remainder of your likely flying schedule (e.g. US domestic, China domestic).
Can you help us a little?
May 1, 2012 | 6:47 am
#926
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Singapore
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 80
The regular Krisflyer (not PPS, which is good for premium fares double dipping) is indeed relatively bad. However, some advantages come in mind:
You do now (since very recent) earn miles on even the cheapest SQ fares, as well as on Silk Air flights (which don't earn you any on *A) - and with status, you do have benefits when travelling on Silk Air too.
So, if your company, for example, forces you to fly a lot with SQ and Silk Air in cheap eco fares, it might make sense to collect on their programs. For lounge access, a *G status from another program will be useful, of course.
You do now (since very recent) earn miles on even the cheapest SQ fares, as well as on Silk Air flights (which don't earn you any on *A) - and with status, you do have benefits when travelling on Silk Air too.
So, if your company, for example, forces you to fly a lot with SQ and Silk Air in cheap eco fares, it might make sense to collect on their programs. For lounge access, a *G status from another program will be useful, of course.
May 3, 2012 | 2:52 am
#927
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: CAN
Programs: TK*S, KF Gold, Marriot Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 282
(1) What is your home airport?
CAN
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Y (usually the discount fares)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
<25k international travel, domestic travel 15-20segments
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
AF/KL FB SILVER (easy to maintain when I don't travel internationally, 15 segments to attain Silver which is good in China as distances aren't far)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Priority ground service: check-in, boarding, preferred seating, lounge access, easy to maintain Star Gold, miles that don't expire would be a bonus
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
China domestic (for that I use CZ), once or twice a year travel to either US/Africa or Europe, maybe more than one region.
(7) Preferred Airlines
Asia(TG,SQ) US(UA) Africa (ET) Europe (no preference)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
For work, yes I can choose my airlines but sometimes it would depend on schedules and ultimately the price.
I have a trip coming up in June for work, to the US and South America, I would've preferred to stick with SkyTeam but I would barely earn any miles on DL due to FB's poor earning scheme and I find myself having to fly Star once in a while so I might as well go for Gold this trip.
United/ANA
CAN-NRT
NRT-IAH
IAH-PTY
By the time I leave I hope AV/TA and CM would have joined Star so that I can try to book as many local flights with them but otherwise I will be forced with LAN. I plan to be in Chile, Argentina, Brazil.
EWR-NRT
NRT-CAN
CAN
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Y (usually the discount fares)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
<25k international travel, domestic travel 15-20segments
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
AF/KL FB SILVER (easy to maintain when I don't travel internationally, 15 segments to attain Silver which is good in China as distances aren't far)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Priority ground service: check-in, boarding, preferred seating, lounge access, easy to maintain Star Gold, miles that don't expire would be a bonus
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
China domestic (for that I use CZ), once or twice a year travel to either US/Africa or Europe, maybe more than one region.
(7) Preferred Airlines
Asia(TG,SQ) US(UA) Africa (ET) Europe (no preference)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
For work, yes I can choose my airlines but sometimes it would depend on schedules and ultimately the price.
I have a trip coming up in June for work, to the US and South America, I would've preferred to stick with SkyTeam but I would barely earn any miles on DL due to FB's poor earning scheme and I find myself having to fly Star once in a while so I might as well go for Gold this trip.
United/ANA
CAN-NRT
NRT-IAH
IAH-PTY
By the time I leave I hope AV/TA and CM would have joined Star so that I can try to book as many local flights with them but otherwise I will be forced with LAN. I plan to be in Chile, Argentina, Brazil.
EWR-NRT
NRT-CAN
Last edited by STelite; May 3, 2012 at 3:05 am
May 3, 2012 | 4:12 am
#928
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SYD
Programs: QFF Plat, OZ*G, HH Gold
Posts: 317
(1) What is your home airport?
CAN
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Y (usually the discount fares)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
<25k international travel, domestic travel 15-20segments
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
AF/KL FB SILVER (easy to maintain when I don't travel internationally, 15 segments to attain Silver which is good in China as distances aren't far)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Priority ground service: check-in, boarding, preferred seating, lounge access, easy to maintain Star Gold, miles that don't expire would be a bonus
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
China domestic (for that I use CZ), once or twice a year travel to either US/Africa or Europe, maybe more than one region.
(7) Preferred Airlines
Asia(TG,SQ) US(UA) Africa (ET) Europe (no preference)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
For work, yes I can choose my airlines but sometimes it would depend on schedules and ultimately the price.
I have a trip coming up in June for work, to the US and South America, I would've preferred to stick with SkyTeam but I would barely earn any miles on DL due to FB's poor earning scheme and I find myself having to fly Star once in a while so I might as well go for Gold this trip.
United/ANA
CAN-NRT
NRT-IAH
IAH-PTY
By the time I leave I hope AV/TA and CM would have joined Star so that I can try to book as many local flights with them but otherwise I will be forced with LAN. I plan to be in Chile, Argentina, Brazil.
EWR-NRT
NRT-CAN
CAN
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Y (usually the discount fares)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
<25k international travel, domestic travel 15-20segments
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it?
AF/KL FB SILVER (easy to maintain when I don't travel internationally, 15 segments to attain Silver which is good in China as distances aren't far)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Priority ground service: check-in, boarding, preferred seating, lounge access, easy to maintain Star Gold, miles that don't expire would be a bonus
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
China domestic (for that I use CZ), once or twice a year travel to either US/Africa or Europe, maybe more than one region.
(7) Preferred Airlines
Asia(TG,SQ) US(UA) Africa (ET) Europe (no preference)
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
For work, yes I can choose my airlines but sometimes it would depend on schedules and ultimately the price.
I have a trip coming up in June for work, to the US and South America, I would've preferred to stick with SkyTeam but I would barely earn any miles on DL due to FB's poor earning scheme and I find myself having to fly Star once in a while so I might as well go for Gold this trip.
United/ANA
CAN-NRT
NRT-IAH
IAH-PTY
By the time I leave I hope AV/TA and CM would have joined Star so that I can try to book as many local flights with them but otherwise I will be forced with LAN. I plan to be in Chile, Argentina, Brazil.
EWR-NRT
NRT-CAN
May 4, 2012 | 3:10 am
#929
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: CAN
Programs: TK*S, KF Gold, Marriot Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 282
Is there anyone out there that offers lifetime status after reaching a specific threshold? What are the requirements?
May 4, 2012 | 4:02 pm
#930
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SYD
Programs: QFF Plat, OZ*G, HH Gold
Posts: 317
But since you are in China, if you can tolerate CA, their status is at 1 million km on CA metal, also very generous.