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
Jan 31, 2013 | 4:28 pm
#1081
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ PPS, Mar LTT, Hyatt LTG, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,155
Jan 31, 2013 | 5:00 pm
#1082
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 59
Feb 1, 2013 | 2:09 am
#1083
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Nagoya, Japan
Programs: ANA Mileage Club
Posts: 10
Hi guys, I currently have NH Mileage Club entry level but I read that award flights are not that good in NH, which FFP program will suit an infrequent flyer like me? I have read many good reviews on UA Mileage Plus for those who are like me but I was wondering if there are other options also and besides UA might be good only if you reside in Us? Correct me if I'm wrong.
(1) What is your home airport? NGO
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates, lounge access, long expiration of miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Intra asia
(7) Preferred Airlines? Any *A airline
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I will travel on discount Y in asia and at least once a year in Toronto on J/Y class. I want to decide if I will put those future miles in NH or UA or whichever programme will suit me.
Looking forward for your feedback!
(1) What is your home airport? NGO
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates, lounge access, long expiration of miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Intra asia
(7) Preferred Airlines? Any *A airline
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I will travel on discount Y in asia and at least once a year in Toronto on J/Y class. I want to decide if I will put those future miles in NH or UA or whichever programme will suit me.
Looking forward for your feedback!
Feb 1, 2013 | 2:18 am
#1084
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ PPS, Mar LTT, Hyatt LTG, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,155
Thanks. But what about the YQ? Wouldn't the YQ charges that LH will charge offset the lower mileage requirements?
Feb 2, 2013 | 1:07 am
#1087
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 59
I wasn't aware to the fact that they are higher in M&M compared to other *A programs, it doesn't make sense since you can book the flight award in most other *A operators with your M&M miles. Is it still higher? Or do you mean the cost of covering those with miles?
The price of covering taxes with miles in M&M is 18,000 miles. I have no idea how much is it in other programs, but it's hard to believe they offset the milage requirement. For example a flight from TLV to Europe in Y would cost 30K in M&M compared to 40K in other programs. And the same flight in C would cost 45K with M&M compared to 70K on other programs, so even if you pay taxes with miles it would still be cheaper.
The price of covering taxes with miles in M&M is 18,000 miles. I have no idea how much is it in other programs, but it's hard to believe they offset the milage requirement. For example a flight from TLV to Europe in Y would cost 30K in M&M compared to 40K in other programs. And the same flight in C would cost 45K with M&M compared to 70K on other programs, so even if you pay taxes with miles it would still be cheaper.
Feb 2, 2013 | 4:07 am
#1088
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ PPS, Mar LTT, Hyatt LTG, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,155
For the most part, you don't need to pay YQ when redeeming flights with US -based FFQ programs. Using LY or TG miles for a flight may cost 300 bucks in YQ and whatnot while using AA miles may be 40 bucks.
Feb 2, 2013 | 9:37 pm
#1089
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Nagoya, Japan
Programs: ANA Mileage Club
Posts: 10
Up on my query thanks!
Hi guys, I currently have NH Mileage Club entry level but I read that award flights are not that good in NH, which FFP program will suit an infrequent flyer like me? I have read many good reviews on UA Mileage Plus for those who are like me but I was wondering if there are other options also and besides UA might be good only if you reside in Us? Correct me if I'm wrong.
(1) What is your home airport? NGO
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates, lounge access, long expiration of miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Intra asia
(7) Preferred Airlines? Any *A airline
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I will travel on discount Y in asia and at least once a year in Toronto on J/Y class. I want to decide if I will put those future miles in NH or UA or whichever programme will suit me.
Looking forward for your feedback!
(1) What is your home airport? NGO
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates, lounge access, long expiration of miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Intra asia
(7) Preferred Airlines? Any *A airline
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I will travel on discount Y in asia and at least once a year in Toronto on J/Y class. I want to decide if I will put those future miles in NH or UA or whichever programme will suit me.
Looking forward for your feedback!
Feb 4, 2013 | 8:33 pm
#1090
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, UA peon, BA Bronze, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 8,447
Hi all,
I fly YVR-GOA (or thereabouts as you will see) a few times a year. Have always been Aeroplan as I used to fly AC domestically. Hate them so much now that I reeemed all my points and swore never again.
My options now to Genoa are LH YVR-MUC new direct service, which is very appealing, then EN MUC-GOA. Nice and easy. Or BA YVR-LHR-LIN and then train from Milan to Genoa (actually to Chiavari, direct train, which is very nice). Not as convenient but can upgrade with my EC miles. Used to be a pain as I had an airport change in LON but no longer. Have flown AC YVR-YYZ-FCO-GOA in the past but won't do anything through FCO ever again if I have any other viable options but if you all say do it, I will bow to your wisdom. Have done DL on different routes as well but lots of stops. I have no problem flying out of SEA either.
So do I use BA and add to my EC miles or, and this was my real question, if I stay with LH, which I like, do I suck it up and stay with Aeroplan or start fresh with MM? Which is the better plan? Goal is to use the points for future upgrades on this route. So:
(1) What is your home airport? YVR, could be SEA if necessary
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Economy but would definitely do Premium Economy, Business if good deal (working on my FD skills)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None on these carriers, AS MVP
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Upgrades, whether status or miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often AS to HNL/Domestic and the above
(7) Preferred Airlines - open to suggestions here
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure, can choose airline and class. Can afford to pay for C.
Thanks for the help.
I fly YVR-GOA (or thereabouts as you will see) a few times a year. Have always been Aeroplan as I used to fly AC domestically. Hate them so much now that I reeemed all my points and swore never again.
My options now to Genoa are LH YVR-MUC new direct service, which is very appealing, then EN MUC-GOA. Nice and easy. Or BA YVR-LHR-LIN and then train from Milan to Genoa (actually to Chiavari, direct train, which is very nice). Not as convenient but can upgrade with my EC miles. Used to be a pain as I had an airport change in LON but no longer. Have flown AC YVR-YYZ-FCO-GOA in the past but won't do anything through FCO ever again if I have any other viable options but if you all say do it, I will bow to your wisdom. Have done DL on different routes as well but lots of stops. I have no problem flying out of SEA either.
So do I use BA and add to my EC miles or, and this was my real question, if I stay with LH, which I like, do I suck it up and stay with Aeroplan or start fresh with MM? Which is the better plan? Goal is to use the points for future upgrades on this route. So:
(1) What is your home airport? YVR, could be SEA if necessary
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Economy but would definitely do Premium Economy, Business if good deal (working on my FD skills)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None on these carriers, AS MVP
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Upgrades, whether status or miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often AS to HNL/Domestic and the above
(7) Preferred Airlines - open to suggestions here
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure, can choose airline and class. Can afford to pay for C.
Thanks for the help.
Feb 4, 2013 | 10:16 pm
#1091
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CHI / SFO
Programs: UA*G, AC*S, Marriott LTP, National Exec
Posts: 3,893
(1) What is your home airport? NGO
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates, lounge access, long expiration of miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Intra asia
(7) Preferred Airlines? Any *A airline
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I will travel on discount Y in asia and at least once a year in Toronto on J/Y class. I want to decide if I will put those future miles in NH or UA or whichever programme will suit me.
Looking forward for your feedback!
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates, lounge access, long expiration of miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Intra asia
(7) Preferred Airlines? Any *A airline
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I will travel on discount Y in asia and at least once a year in Toronto on J/Y class. I want to decide if I will put those future miles in NH or UA or whichever programme will suit me.
Looking forward for your feedback!
As for lounge access, you just won't get it flying <25k per year on cheap NH/CA/OZ fares. (perhaps TK, but I still doubt it) However, if you get 25k EQMs with UA, they'll give you a slight discount on United Club membership which you can use to access most *A business class lounges in the world. (some *G lounges are not business class lounges)
Feb 5, 2013 | 10:09 am
#1093
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 guys, I currently have NH Mileage Club entry level but I read that award flights are not that good in NH, which FFP program will suit an infrequent flyer like me? I have read many good reviews on UA Mileage Plus for those who are like me but I was wondering if there are other options also and besides UA might be good only if you reside in Us? Correct me if I'm wrong.
(1) What is your home airport? NGO
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates, lounge access, long expiration of miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Intra asia
(7) Preferred Airlines? Any *A airline
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I will travel on discount Y in asia and at least once a year in Toronto on J/Y class. I want to decide if I will put those future miles in NH or UA or whichever programme will suit me.
Looking forward for your feedback!
(1) What is your home airport? NGO
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates, lounge access, long expiration of miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Intra asia
(7) Preferred Airlines? Any *A airline
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I will travel on discount Y in asia and at least once a year in Toronto on J/Y class. I want to decide if I will put those future miles in NH or UA or whichever programme will suit me.
Looking forward for your feedback!
Feb 8, 2013 | 8:36 am
#1094
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
Programs: Many. Too many. I came here to cut them down. I failed.
Posts: 3,033
(1) What is your home airport? LHR
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25Kish +/-
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access, long expiration of miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? UK-Asia / Intra Asia
(7) Preferred Airlines? SQ/MH/TG/CX/QR
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both
I Basically do a whole lot of unproductive flying (it's about price, and normally Y!). I have a couple of accounts I need to merge (BA / QR), but I have a SQ R Suite one way SIN-LHR coming up, and with Krisflyer being unproductive I was trying work out which account to put it into. I've a bunch of other flights coming up (European, Asian, mainly discounted Y) that I can put into *A.
I guess SQ/TG/TK most closely match my needs but SQ are hardly generous. TK give 200% on the R class award - but I need 25k & 40k (??) for Gold? So I guess A3 @ 160% is best - but I don't get anything on my standard SQ Q/V or TG W class cheapies (but would I anywhere?).
Anyway, help?!
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25Kish +/-
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? None
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Lounge access, long expiration of miles
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? UK-Asia / Intra Asia
(7) Preferred Airlines? SQ/MH/TG/CX/QR
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both
I Basically do a whole lot of unproductive flying (it's about price, and normally Y!). I have a couple of accounts I need to merge (BA / QR), but I have a SQ R Suite one way SIN-LHR coming up, and with Krisflyer being unproductive I was trying work out which account to put it into. I've a bunch of other flights coming up (European, Asian, mainly discounted Y) that I can put into *A.
I guess SQ/TG/TK most closely match my needs but SQ are hardly generous. TK give 200% on the R class award - but I need 25k & 40k (??) for Gold? So I guess A3 @ 160% is best - but I don't get anything on my standard SQ Q/V or TG W class cheapies (but would I anywhere?).
Anyway, help?!
Feb 8, 2013 | 9:19 am
#1095
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
A3 does appear to be your best option from the info you've provided.