Best *A FF Programme for UK based person
 

Hi

I am not a frequent *A flier (most of my flying is on Virgin/BA and, recently, Continental). But since I have a UA LHR-LAX-LHR J coming up over Xmas (and a short UA DEN-HDN-DEN hop coming up in February, I thought I ought to find somewhere to stick the frequent flier miles... (I don't like wasting them).

So, since we (husband and I) fly on Boxing Day (26th Dec), can anyone suggest which *A frequent flier programme would make sense for two UK based people. I thought it was worth checking out, since UA might not be the best choice...

Any advice
Boo

As with all FFP choices it depends on what you want. UA would probably be best if you're after upgrades etc. However, given that you're already in J and you're UK based, I'd suggest BD. You'll each make silver (and a bit more) with the LAX flight alone, and from then you have 12 months to do another 38K (or 19K in J) and you've got *Gold.

You'd be able to achieve *G quicker on Air Canada (they only require 35K in a calendar year, and I don't believe you have to clear the silver hurdle and then have your status point balance reset as you do with BD). However, overall as a UK resident I'd go for BD as you're probably more likely to fly their metal than AC's, and thus the silver benefits kick in.

If you want to join, let me know - I've got some member get a member forms somewhere... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

ETA: actually, definitely BD as you can earn awards points (NB not status points) and book award flights on VS.

E(yet again)TA: also, on BD you have a miles + cash redemption option which is useful if you're not clocking up that many miles. eg: UK-US return in J is 67500 miles, or 37500 + £210.

[This message has been edited by Wingnut (edited Dec 22, 2003).]

Wingnut just about covered it all, one thing to add in BD's favour:

You say that you fly a lot on BA, if you have any Exec Club Status you can normally get BD to match it, which means that if you already have Silver, assuming BD match to silver you'd get to Gold on this flight alone.