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
May 2, 2013 | 8:21 am
#1171
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SIN
Posts: 1,100
(1) What is your home airport? SIN, CBR
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y, C (if there are good fares)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 150K BIS miles (at least 30K *A BIS miles)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? VA Platinum, A3 *G, TK *G, EY Gold, Flying Blue Gold
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good Redemption rates
(6) Which routes do you fly most often South Asia - Oceania
(7) Preferred Airlines VA, SQ, NZ
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? I can choose airlines at will. Travel for pleasure.
I am searching for a FFP that provides great burn rates. I already have *G so no need to worry about that. Since I'm partly based in Oz most of my flying has been on VA, i have essentially 2 years of platinum with VA and my A3 *G lasts till 2016.
Now, i semi-frequently fly between SIN and SYD/MEL/BNE, which earns an average value of 3750 miles each way and i have up to 5 round trips a year.
I beg your pardon if i have asked this before, certainly my options have changed in the past few years to say the least.
Open for opinions!
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y, C (if there are good fares)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 150K BIS miles (at least 30K *A BIS miles)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? VA Platinum, A3 *G, TK *G, EY Gold, Flying Blue Gold
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good Redemption rates
(6) Which routes do you fly most often South Asia - Oceania
(7) Preferred Airlines VA, SQ, NZ
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? I can choose airlines at will. Travel for pleasure.
I am searching for a FFP that provides great burn rates. I already have *G so no need to worry about that. Since I'm partly based in Oz most of my flying has been on VA, i have essentially 2 years of platinum with VA and my A3 *G lasts till 2016.
Now, i semi-frequently fly between SIN and SYD/MEL/BNE, which earns an average value of 3750 miles each way and i have up to 5 round trips a year.
I beg your pardon if i have asked this before, certainly my options have changed in the past few years to say the least.
Open for opinions!
Last edited by lowjhg; May 3, 2013 at 9:26 am
May 3, 2013 | 6:15 am
#1172
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2
Hi all, been here a long time but first time poster. Please help me out!
(1) What is your home airport? HKG
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(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
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates, lounge access.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? 2-3 return LH, 2-3 return short haul yearly
(7) Preferred Airlines? Singapore Air
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
Thanks for your input in advance!
(1) What is your home airport? HKG
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(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
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates, lounge access.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? 2-3 return LH, 2-3 return short haul yearly
(7) Preferred Airlines? Singapore Air
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
Thanks for your input in advance!
May 3, 2013 | 9:23 am
#1173
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SIN
Posts: 1,100
Hi all, been here a long time but first time poster. Please help me out!
(1) What is your home airport? HKG
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(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
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates, lounge access.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? 2-3 return LH, 2-3 return short haul yearly
(7) Preferred Airlines? Singapore Air
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
Thanks for your input in advance!
(1) What is your home airport? HKG
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y
(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
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates, lounge access.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? 2-3 return LH, 2-3 return short haul yearly
(7) Preferred Airlines? Singapore Air
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
Thanks for your input in advance!
Depending on your fare classes the ticket may or may not earn mileage with miles and bonus. On SQ, the Flexi fare classes SYBEMHULK classes earn 100%, JCDI earns 125%, and RFPA earns 150%. The rest earns 0% with M&B.
May 5, 2013 | 2:55 am
#1174
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2
For 25-50k you are able to get *G status with Aegean (A3), which will last you quite some time. The intra asia awards are rather attractive too.
Depending on your fare classes the ticket may or may not earn mileage with miles and bonus. On SQ, the Flexi fare classes SYBEMHULK classes earn 100%, JCDI earns 125%, and RFPA earns 150%. The rest earns 0% with M&B.
Depending on your fare classes the ticket may or may not earn mileage with miles and bonus. On SQ, the Flexi fare classes SYBEMHULK classes earn 100%, JCDI earns 125%, and RFPA earns 150%. The rest earns 0% with M&B.
May 5, 2013 | 7:21 am
#1175
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 status lasts for 3 years. KrisFlyer is less generous both with status and earn/burn ratio.
May 6, 2013 | 1:23 am
#1176
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
Programs: AAdv GLD(MM), QF LTS, UA MP_nada, HH Gld, SPG, GoldenCircle Jade
Posts: 4,478
New *A flyer (did fly LH and LX a while back but spent all those miles and elite status expired now) wanting help:
(1) What is your home airport? MEL
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? business (work)/ economy (personal)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? mainly have been oneworld flyer and been domestic within Aust. First trip this week MEL-SIN-MNL return in J - this may turn into regular route for me with 3-4 annually.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? LH M&M FT
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? lounge access/ miles redemption
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? MEL-MNL
(7) Preferred Airlines? SQ
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? 90-10
basically I think I should sign up to Aegean as it's the fastest path to *Gold. Is that true for my scenario? How is their miles redemption across *A partners?
(1) What is your home airport? MEL
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? business (work)/ economy (personal)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? mainly have been oneworld flyer and been domestic within Aust. First trip this week MEL-SIN-MNL return in J - this may turn into regular route for me with 3-4 annually.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? LH M&M FT
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? lounge access/ miles redemption
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? MEL-MNL
(7) Preferred Airlines? SQ
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? 90-10
basically I think I should sign up to Aegean as it's the fastest path to *Gold. Is that true for my scenario? How is their miles redemption across *A partners?
May 13, 2013 | 8:45 pm
#1177
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BOS, NYC, HKG, TPE
Programs: OZ Diamond, UX Gold, AY Platinum, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 319
1) YYZ
(2) M,V,N,L
(3) ~20K
(4) No significant FFP
(5) Lounge, Upgrades
(6) Transpacific, Regional Asian
(7) AC,BR,CX
(8) Pleasure
Is it also possible to find a FFP that earns miles on AC,BR, and CX?
(2) M,V,N,L
(3) ~20K
(4) No significant FFP
(5) Lounge, Upgrades
(6) Transpacific, Regional Asian
(7) AC,BR,CX
(8) Pleasure
Is it also possible to find a FFP that earns miles on AC,BR, and CX?
May 22, 2013 | 8:40 pm
#1178
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Programs: VA Gold, BA Silver
Posts: 363
Hi all, first time looking at Star Alliance
(1) What is your home airport? LHR
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Discount Economy and Business Class
(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? BA Silver
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates and lounge access.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? 2-3 return LH, 2-3 return short haul yearly
(7) Preferred Airlines? Any decent
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both, usually work.
Thanks.
(1) What is your home airport? LHR
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Discount Economy and Business Class
(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? BA Silver
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Good award redemption rates and lounge access.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? 2-3 return LH, 2-3 return short haul yearly
(7) Preferred Airlines? Any decent
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both, usually work.
Thanks.
May 23, 2013 | 3:19 am
#1179
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: DSS
Posts: 830
This might help a little with Award Availability questions.
Hence that YQ and the amount of miles needed for an Award weren't considered !
None the less I have to agree with the availability on TK-Flights. Unfortunately !4
Click the link below to see the Switchfly Study.
http://www.ideaworkscompany.com/wp-c...eat-Report.pdf
Hence that YQ and the amount of miles needed for an Award weren't considered !
None the less I have to agree with the availability on TK-Flights. Unfortunately !4
Click the link below to see the Switchfly Study.
http://www.ideaworkscompany.com/wp-c...eat-Report.pdf
Last edited by moeser; May 23, 2013 at 3:28 am
May 25, 2013 | 7:42 pm
#1180
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: CNF
Programs: Priority Club, TAM Fidelidade, BAEC, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 2,205
A bit of an unusual situation.
My parents will fly to see me, totally 13000 miles each if at 100%, M and V class with TAP. I would not want to lose the miles.
They will fly very rarely and not sure if it will be *A any more, so I want to put the miles into a program which allows me to use them at this level. No status comes into play.
Is there a program that will allow household accounts or easy transfer to combine them in one? Or one with very low redemption rates, possibly cash+miles (Lifemiles comes to mind, but I don't know anything about it).
One thing I thought is to credit the miles to TAM, that will be 12000 points each, which can be transferred to Accor (6000 points each) and then combined to my Avios via Iberia (will get totally 12000 Avios from this). All my miles are with BA, but will like some with *, if I can use them. TAM are devaluing their program, so I would not like the miles to stay there, and I live in Brazil and can get TAM points relatively easily (they are becoming less useful though). 12000 TAM points is a one way domestic award within Brazil.
Another way is to credit to Lifemiles and use them for cash+points if it's still generous.
Any thoughts? I'll have a look at Lifemiles now to see if I get 100% miles and what I can use them for.
Thanks in advance.
My parents will fly to see me, totally 13000 miles each if at 100%, M and V class with TAP. I would not want to lose the miles.
They will fly very rarely and not sure if it will be *A any more, so I want to put the miles into a program which allows me to use them at this level. No status comes into play.
Is there a program that will allow household accounts or easy transfer to combine them in one? Or one with very low redemption rates, possibly cash+miles (Lifemiles comes to mind, but I don't know anything about it).
One thing I thought is to credit the miles to TAM, that will be 12000 points each, which can be transferred to Accor (6000 points each) and then combined to my Avios via Iberia (will get totally 12000 Avios from this). All my miles are with BA, but will like some with *, if I can use them. TAM are devaluing their program, so I would not like the miles to stay there, and I live in Brazil and can get TAM points relatively easily (they are becoming less useful though). 12000 TAM points is a one way domestic award within Brazil.
Another way is to credit to Lifemiles and use them for cash+points if it's still generous.
Any thoughts? I'll have a look at Lifemiles now to see if I get 100% miles and what I can use them for.
Thanks in advance.
May 28, 2013 | 10:46 am
#1181
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: SPG, (ex) BA Gold, Silver, LH M&M, (ex) Hilton Gold
Posts: 1
Advice needed on FF Plan - Star Alliance
Need advice on which FF program is best from Star Alliance. Main trips: Business & Economy is London West-Coast (US) (SFO and LAX), some inner Europe but main issue is with upgrades, redemption and sharing miles with partners - which airline allows the best core programme, e.g. United if also flying Lufthansa and Air New Zealand? Or ANZ if also flying United, LH, Swiss, etc?
(1) What is your home airport? LHR
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Discounted Economy (personal), Business or Premium Economy (business)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? >50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? not at present
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Credit for travel on other partner airlines, Upgrades on travel, redemption availability.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (London-Los Angeles/London-SFO, inner-Europe)
(7) Preferred Airlines Air NZ, United, LH
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both, have some flexibility.
(1) What is your home airport? LHR
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Discounted Economy (personal), Business or Premium Economy (business)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? >50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? not at present
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Credit for travel on other partner airlines, Upgrades on travel, redemption availability.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (London-Los Angeles/London-SFO, inner-Europe)
(7) Preferred Airlines Air NZ, United, LH
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both, have some flexibility.
May 31, 2013 | 10:29 am
#1182
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 40
1) What is your home airport? LHR/LGW (JNB temporarily)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Prem econ
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? BAEC Bronze
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Extra luggage, redemption
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? usually UK Domestic, plus 2-3 EU, and 1-2 LH a year*
(7) Preferred Airlines - Any
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both, but these flights will be mostly work
*BA normally does it for me, and current travel plans will have me up to BAEC silver, however do to work I am going to be using SAA quite a bit over the next 2 months, and then again dependent on work the number of trans-atlantic and other long hall flights over the next 2 years.
Most of these flights will be booked by work so wont have much choice in them, so will be doing some *A flying, but I don't expect to get too far up the status tiers, but would be keen to make the most of what I can
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Prem econ
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? BAEC Bronze
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Extra luggage, redemption
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? usually UK Domestic, plus 2-3 EU, and 1-2 LH a year*
(7) Preferred Airlines - Any
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Both, but these flights will be mostly work
*BA normally does it for me, and current travel plans will have me up to BAEC silver, however do to work I am going to be using SAA quite a bit over the next 2 months, and then again dependent on work the number of trans-atlantic and other long hall flights over the next 2 years.
Most of these flights will be booked by work so wont have much choice in them, so will be doing some *A flying, but I don't expect to get too far up the status tiers, but would be keen to make the most of what I can
Jun 5, 2013 | 1:13 am
#1183
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1
What do you recommend?
(1) FRA, MUC, STR
(2) Economy, probably discounted
(3) 25k-50k
(4) I have no status what so ever but I am member with KLM, BA and M&M. I ahve got miles but not many status miles.
(5) Lounge Access
(6) I currently need to Fly out of FBM (either home or on holiday around the world, usually the first leg is going to JoBurg)
(8) Both and both time it is just economy. I can pick flights to some degree.
When I fly SAA from Germany to JoBurg and then to FBM I don't earn miles on the SAE flight when I am sticking to M&M; and also I think 35k miles is hard to reach to get my first status upgrade
(2) Economy, probably discounted
(3) 25k-50k
(4) I have no status what so ever but I am member with KLM, BA and M&M. I ahve got miles but not many status miles.
(5) Lounge Access
(6) I currently need to Fly out of FBM (either home or on holiday around the world, usually the first leg is going to JoBurg)
(8) Both and both time it is just economy. I can pick flights to some degree.
When I fly SAA from Germany to JoBurg and then to FBM I don't earn miles on the SAE flight when I am sticking to M&M; and also I think 35k miles is hard to reach to get my first status upgrade
Jun 5, 2013 | 7:07 am
#1184
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1
HOLA. 
(1) What is your home airport? LHR/LGW
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
Reply: 150K, economy
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ? ( First, Business, Economy etc.)
Reply: economy fares, usally not the full fare on *A
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: YES / WORK
(5) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: Within Europe (on BA), Transatlantic (LHR->some city in USA or CANADA), and US Domestic
(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: AA Platinum, will hit AA Exec Plat this year, and most likely Aeroplan/50K
(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 (transatlantic as well), lounge access, good award redemption rates
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: BA, AA, Air Canada/United (transatlantic)
one more question in this....
i live in the UK and fly BA alot, but it seems that collecting AA points adds up sooo much quicker to status... but is there a way i can use my exec plat status to upgrade on BA flights more often?? the e upgrade system on air canada flights was handy
viv
(1) What is your home airport? LHR/LGW
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
Reply: 150K, economy
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ? ( First, Business, Economy etc.)
Reply: economy fares, usally not the full fare on *A
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: YES / WORK
(5) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: Within Europe (on BA), Transatlantic (LHR->some city in USA or CANADA), and US Domestic
(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: AA Platinum, will hit AA Exec Plat this year, and most likely Aeroplan/50K
(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 (transatlantic as well), lounge access, good award redemption rates
(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: BA, AA, Air Canada/United (transatlantic)
one more question in this....
i live in the UK and fly BA alot, but it seems that collecting AA points adds up sooo much quicker to status... but is there a way i can use my exec plat status to upgrade on BA flights more often?? the e upgrade system on air canada flights was handy
viv
Jun 9, 2013 | 3:29 am
#1185
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Mildura, Australia
Posts: 3
(1) What is your home airport? MEL
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Cheapest (not sure of the most appropriate term)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Either 25, or 25-50
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? No.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Making flights cheaper, don't care about any other perks (lounges, upgrades, etc) at all.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Transpacific
(7) Preferred Airlines: None - as long as there's something to watch that's fine with me
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Cheapest (not sure of the most appropriate term)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Either 25, or 25-50
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? No.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Making flights cheaper, don't care about any other perks (lounges, upgrades, etc) at all.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Transpacific
(7) Preferred Airlines: None - as long as there's something to watch that's fine with me
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure