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 19, 2014 | 1:27 pm
#1336
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,926
For upgrades the general rule is you can only upgrade a flight marketed (flight number) and operated (metal) by the airline of your freq flyer programme (no codeshares) with your airlines upgrade instrument (e.g. SWU) . All subject to the t&c's of your FFP and your paid ticket. Low cost tickets are often not eligible for upgrades. However as is the way with FFP's there are some upgrade exceptions including on some across Star Alliance airlines with higher priced Y & B fare. What airlines are likely to fly STO-BOS and can you/employer buy the higher priced tickets?
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Feb 19, 2014 at 1:34 pm
Feb 19, 2014 | 10:40 pm
#1337
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 96
(1) What is your home airport? LAX
(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? Upgrades to F and J then good award redemption rates
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? US Domestic
(7) Preferred Airlines? None
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I'm in a situation where I have booked tickets for seven passengers on Asiana, all relatives. Each ticket is over 15,000 miles roundtrip. I have heard that Asiana will allow us to combine miles between accounts fee free. Do any other Star Alliance airline do this? What would be the best Star Alliance membership for the conditions stipulated above?
(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? Upgrades to F and J then good award redemption rates
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? US Domestic
(7) Preferred Airlines? None
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I'm in a situation where I have booked tickets for seven passengers on Asiana, all relatives. Each ticket is over 15,000 miles roundtrip. I have heard that Asiana will allow us to combine miles between accounts fee free. Do any other Star Alliance airline do this? What would be the best Star Alliance membership for the conditions stipulated above?
Feb 19, 2014 | 10:50 pm
#1338
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
(1) What is your home airport? LAX
(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? Upgrades to F and J then good award redemption rates
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? US Domestic
(7) Preferred Airlines? None
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I'm in a situation where I have booked tickets for seven passengers on Asiana, all relatives. Each ticket is over 15,000 miles roundtrip. I have heard that Asiana will allow us to combine miles between accounts fee free. Do any other Star Alliance airline do this? What would be the best Star Alliance membership for the conditions stipulated above?
(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? Upgrades to F and J then good award redemption rates
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? US Domestic
(7) Preferred Airlines? None
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I'm in a situation where I have booked tickets for seven passengers on Asiana, all relatives. Each ticket is over 15,000 miles roundtrip. I have heard that Asiana will allow us to combine miles between accounts fee free. Do any other Star Alliance airline do this? What would be the best Star Alliance membership for the conditions stipulated above?
Feb 19, 2014 | 10:59 pm
#1339
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 96
Feb 19, 2014 | 11:04 pm
#1340
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
Feb 19, 2014 | 11:12 pm
#1341
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
(1) What is your home airport? LAX
(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? Upgrades to F and J then good award redemption rates
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? US Domestic
(7) Preferred Airlines? None
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I'm in a situation where I have booked tickets for seven passengers on Asiana, all relatives. Each ticket is over 15,000 miles roundtrip. I have heard that Asiana will allow us to combine miles between accounts fee free. Do any other Star Alliance airline do this? What would be the best Star Alliance membership for the conditions stipulated above?
(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? Upgrades to F and J then good award redemption rates
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? US Domestic
(7) Preferred Airlines? None
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Pleasure
I'm in a situation where I have booked tickets for seven passengers on Asiana, all relatives. Each ticket is over 15,000 miles roundtrip. I have heard that Asiana will allow us to combine miles between accounts fee free. Do any other Star Alliance airline do this? What would be the best Star Alliance membership for the conditions stipulated above?
I would say look at United at least for yourself. But as far as upgrades are concerned you won't have a serious chance at them until you reach Premier Gold which is 50k miles. If you can get to 25k you can get premier silver, but that offers little other than free checked bag and free economy plus seat at time of check-in. United, even after its recent devaluation is still IMHO one of the best plans for redeeming award travel. Availability is very generous.
If your relatives travel often enough, you can have them use UA Mileage Plus as well and when they reach enough miles they can redeem tickets for travel for themselves or someone else, but that would make sense if they have a trip like this once a year, or at least every 18 months to prevent miles from expiring. There are silly little things you can do to extend the expiration if they happen not to fly often.
Feb 20, 2014 | 12:06 am
#1342
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 96
You can do that with Asiana, but if you want upgrades you will have no chance with Asiana since you are flying US domestic primarily. For the purposes of combining your family's miles go that route, but for a long term FF program you should look elsewhere unless you are flying Asiana a lot.
I would say look at United at least for yourself. But as far as upgrades are concerned you won't have a serious chance at them until you reach Premier Gold which is 50k miles. If you can get to 25k you can get premier silver, but that offers little other than free checked bag and free economy plus seat at time of check-in. United, even after its recent devaluation is still IMHO one of the best plans for redeeming award travel. Availability is very generous.
If your relatives travel often enough, you can have them use UA Mileage Plus as well and when they reach enough miles they can redeem tickets for travel for themselves or someone else, but that would make sense if they have a trip like this once a year, or at least every 18 months to prevent miles from expiring. There are silly little things you can do to extend the expiration if they happen not to fly often.
I would say look at United at least for yourself. But as far as upgrades are concerned you won't have a serious chance at them until you reach Premier Gold which is 50k miles. If you can get to 25k you can get premier silver, but that offers little other than free checked bag and free economy plus seat at time of check-in. United, even after its recent devaluation is still IMHO one of the best plans for redeeming award travel. Availability is very generous.
If your relatives travel often enough, you can have them use UA Mileage Plus as well and when they reach enough miles they can redeem tickets for travel for themselves or someone else, but that would make sense if they have a trip like this once a year, or at least every 18 months to prevent miles from expiring. There are silly little things you can do to extend the expiration if they happen not to fly often.
Looks like I'd be able to get 1.74 cents per mile (25k miles * $15/1000 miles + $30 + $30) / 25000 miles) plus my own mileage to start an account with. Might we worth it if I can transfer UR points... any flaws in that thinking?
Feb 20, 2014 | 10:09 am
#1343
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 3
Before STO what is/was home? Is living in Sweden for ever, long term or temporary (up to a few years)?
For upgrades the general rule is you can only upgrade a flight marketed (flight number) and operated (metal) by the airline of your freq flyer programme (no codeshares) with your airlines upgrade instrument (e.g. SWU) . All subject to the t&c's of your FFP and your paid ticket. Low cost tickets are often not eligible for upgrades. However as is the way with FFP's there are some upgrade exceptions including on some across Star Alliance airlines with higher priced Y & B fare. What airlines are likely to fly STO-BOS and can you/employer buy the higher priced tickets?
For upgrades the general rule is you can only upgrade a flight marketed (flight number) and operated (metal) by the airline of your freq flyer programme (no codeshares) with your airlines upgrade instrument (e.g. SWU) . All subject to the t&c's of your FFP and your paid ticket. Low cost tickets are often not eligible for upgrades. However as is the way with FFP's there are some upgrade exceptions including on some across Star Alliance airlines with higher priced Y & B fare. What airlines are likely to fly STO-BOS and can you/employer buy the higher priced tickets?
Feb 21, 2014 | 3:03 pm
#1344
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 12
Hello!
(1) What is your home airport? LAX (BUR for domestic wherever possible)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y for work. When booking for pleasure, whatever is cheapest
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K, though it can vary widely during certain years
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? UA Premier Silver (via Marriott Rewards Platinum status)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? From most to least important: good award redemption, upgrades, lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often US Domestic. On the relatively rare occasion I fly for pleasure, likely Asia/Transpacific
(7) Preferred Airlines UA, Asiana
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Primarily work. Will fly for pleasure when I can, but this is at most once a year.
Some more context: I already have about 10,000 miles each with Asiana and UA (this was before I decided to buckle down and work out the Star Alliance mess I gave myself). I travel primarily for work, though it's far less than most FT folks. My primary goal is to get award redemptions for international flights (mostly to East Asia). The reason for this is that anywhere I'd like to go for pleasure domestically would probably be covered by the secondary SWA points I earn.
I'm thinking since I have UA Premier Silver status via Marriott, I should stick to UA earning, but I'm wondering if there's any wrinkles I should consider in terms of additional perks, miles earning, award redemption complications, or ease of earning/maintaining higher statuses that may push me toward focusing on Asiana Club.
I don't really care about UA Premier giving me a free checked bag since I would only really fly UA for work.
Thanks!
(1) What is your home airport? LAX (BUR for domestic wherever possible)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Y for work. When booking for pleasure, whatever is cheapest
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? <25K, though it can vary widely during certain years
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? UA Premier Silver (via Marriott Rewards Platinum status)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? From most to least important: good award redemption, upgrades, lounge access
(6) Which routes do you fly most often US Domestic. On the relatively rare occasion I fly for pleasure, likely Asia/Transpacific
(7) Preferred Airlines UA, Asiana
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Primarily work. Will fly for pleasure when I can, but this is at most once a year.
Some more context: I already have about 10,000 miles each with Asiana and UA (this was before I decided to buckle down and work out the Star Alliance mess I gave myself). I travel primarily for work, though it's far less than most FT folks. My primary goal is to get award redemptions for international flights (mostly to East Asia). The reason for this is that anywhere I'd like to go for pleasure domestically would probably be covered by the secondary SWA points I earn.
I'm thinking since I have UA Premier Silver status via Marriott, I should stick to UA earning, but I'm wondering if there's any wrinkles I should consider in terms of additional perks, miles earning, award redemption complications, or ease of earning/maintaining higher statuses that may push me toward focusing on Asiana Club.
I don't really care about UA Premier giving me a free checked bag since I would only really fly UA for work.
Thanks!
Feb 22, 2014 | 8:23 am
#1345
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 1,799
(1) What is your home airport? SIN
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? deep discount Y, although Y+ and J if they are of excellent value (which isn't usual).
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? ~50,000 miles
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? OWE - irrelevant here.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? From most to least important: Good lounges, redemptions for family members (usually Y), don't really care about anything else
(6) Which routes do you fly most often. SIN-SYD, SIN-HKG, 3 or 4 times per year each. Also at least one long-haul flight each year. Don't do HKG-SYD although I might do so some years down the track.
(7) Preferred Airlines. Anything that stays up in the air and isn't approaching bankruptcy.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? 100% pleasure.
Just trying to see what options I have outside of OW.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? deep discount Y, although Y+ and J if they are of excellent value (which isn't usual).
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? ~50,000 miles
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? OWE - irrelevant here.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? From most to least important: Good lounges, redemptions for family members (usually Y), don't really care about anything else
(6) Which routes do you fly most often. SIN-SYD, SIN-HKG, 3 or 4 times per year each. Also at least one long-haul flight each year. Don't do HKG-SYD although I might do so some years down the track.
(7) Preferred Airlines. Anything that stays up in the air and isn't approaching bankruptcy.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? 100% pleasure.
Just trying to see what options I have outside of OW.
Mar 1, 2014 | 4:27 pm
#1346
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1
1. SEA
2. discount economy, occasional discount business
3. 100K
4. UA 1K
5. Transpacific upgrades with instruments or miles
6. Transpacific beyond NRT and a fair amount of domestic, but that is not a priority for me.
7. none
8. Both, but it's all on my dime
2. discount economy, occasional discount business
3. 100K
4. UA 1K
5. Transpacific upgrades with instruments or miles
6. Transpacific beyond NRT and a fair amount of domestic, but that is not a priority for me.
7. none
8. Both, but it's all on my dime
Mar 11, 2014 | 4:45 am
#1347
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LON EDI BCN SYD
Programs: OZ, RJ, A3, VA, VS, QF, LH, DL, UA, BA, former BD and others
Posts: 1,132
Based in SIN, you could consider giving *A a try. Most SQ mid Y fares (Saver etc in W and M class) earn 100% miles in several *A schemes, unlike some other carriers and alliances.
If you wanted to keep some of your flying/status OW then Aegean offers the quickest route to *G at 20K miles and *G status currently lasts 3 years plus (see Aegean forum for details). Aegean offers fairly good earn and burn ratio, miles that don't expire if you fly once every 3 years (once you have status), and some other benefits like one way bookings. Alternatively, Asiana offers Diamond (*G) status for two years at 40K miles, though miles validity is fixed (10 years once have *G).
If you are switching more of your flying to *A then at Asiana you would get Diamond+ (guess that is QF WP equivalent, though less use unless you are flying Asiana) for 2 years at crediting 100K and lifetime D+ at 500K miles (which is 50 years at 50K miles a year) - with your flight patterns that's possible, though of course the programme might change in the meantime!
If you're looking for a better value OW programme than QF, BA and AA both offer better earn/burn ratios, though it's worth comparing the respective benefits of the two as both have pluses and minuses. You may be able to achieve and hold OW Sapphire and *G simultaneously with your travel pattern. Arguably that's more use than top tier with QF, especially as it would give you two shots at redemption options.
If you wanted to keep some of your flying/status OW then Aegean offers the quickest route to *G at 20K miles and *G status currently lasts 3 years plus (see Aegean forum for details). Aegean offers fairly good earn and burn ratio, miles that don't expire if you fly once every 3 years (once you have status), and some other benefits like one way bookings. Alternatively, Asiana offers Diamond (*G) status for two years at 40K miles, though miles validity is fixed (10 years once have *G).
If you are switching more of your flying to *A then at Asiana you would get Diamond+ (guess that is QF WP equivalent, though less use unless you are flying Asiana) for 2 years at crediting 100K and lifetime D+ at 500K miles (which is 50 years at 50K miles a year) - with your flight patterns that's possible, though of course the programme might change in the meantime!
If you're looking for a better value OW programme than QF, BA and AA both offer better earn/burn ratios, though it's worth comparing the respective benefits of the two as both have pluses and minuses. You may be able to achieve and hold OW Sapphire and *G simultaneously with your travel pattern. Arguably that's more use than top tier with QF, especially as it would give you two shots at redemption options.
(1) What is your home airport? SIN
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? deep discount Y, although Y+ and J if they are of excellent value (which isn't usual).
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? ~50,000 miles
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? OWE - irrelevant here.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? From most to least important: Good lounges, redemptions for family members (usually Y), don't really care about anything else
(6) Which routes do you fly most often. SIN-SYD, SIN-HKG, 3 or 4 times per year each. Also at least one long-haul flight each year. Don't do HKG-SYD although I might do so some years down the track.
(7) Preferred Airlines. Anything that stays up in the air and isn't approaching bankruptcy.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? 100% pleasure.
Just trying to see what options I have outside of OW.
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? deep discount Y, although Y+ and J if they are of excellent value (which isn't usual).
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? ~50,000 miles
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? OWE - irrelevant here.
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? From most to least important: Good lounges, redemptions for family members (usually Y), don't really care about anything else
(6) Which routes do you fly most often. SIN-SYD, SIN-HKG, 3 or 4 times per year each. Also at least one long-haul flight each year. Don't do HKG-SYD although I might do so some years down the track.
(7) Preferred Airlines. Anything that stays up in the air and isn't approaching bankruptcy.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? 100% pleasure.
Just trying to see what options I have outside of OW.
Last edited by wyvern; Mar 11, 2014 at 5:31 am
Mar 20, 2014 | 11:25 am
#1348
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Caracas
Programs: Former AA PLT/GLD, A3 *G, Priority Pass
Posts: 1,144
What Star Alliance program for me?
I recently have booked some upcoming flights with COPA. My program of preference is AAdvantage and Oneworld, but have found to be doing some Copa flying lately too.
I'm based in Caracas and have lacked a FFP on Star Alliance. I wonder what's best for me to sign up to, and how can i fast track status on this alliance. Avianca,Copa,Lufthansa,TAM,TAP and United fly here.
I've been reading about joining Aegean,Alaska or the like. Out of this i'm the most likely to fly Copa,United or Avianca. I usually fly deepest discount economy and i'm just looking for a program that can work to my specific situation. My emphasis are low economy award redemptions charts, and means to achieve status (both silver & gold) in a fast way.
I've been sticking to Oneworld all of my life, so would like to have a little Star Alliance insight as a backup and why not, add another alliance.
I'm based in Caracas and have lacked a FFP on Star Alliance. I wonder what's best for me to sign up to, and how can i fast track status on this alliance. Avianca,Copa,Lufthansa,TAM,TAP and United fly here.
I've been reading about joining Aegean,Alaska or the like. Out of this i'm the most likely to fly Copa,United or Avianca. I usually fly deepest discount economy and i'm just looking for a program that can work to my specific situation. My emphasis are low economy award redemptions charts, and means to achieve status (both silver & gold) in a fast way.
I've been sticking to Oneworld all of my life, so would like to have a little Star Alliance insight as a backup and why not, add another alliance.
Mar 20, 2014 | 2:49 pm
#1349
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: TK*G, AT OWE, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,332
LifeMiles will probably provide the most redemption value for you as you will likely be flying mostly Avianca being located in South America. If you fly Copa a lot, then you might go with MileagePlus, although that program has been recently devalued and could go revenue based soon, which will make it harder to get much out of it as a low spender flyer. LifeMiles will probably be easiest for you to get status on, however they require some flying on Avianca/TACA. Aegean has the lowest qualification thresholds of the entire alliance but many fares earn only a fraction of what they would earn on other programs and some discount economy fares earn nothing at all.
Mar 20, 2014 | 3:11 pm
#1350
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,926
Look here (top sticky thread in this forum)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-...post-here.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-...post-here.html