need help for friend picking an alliance
May 12, 2006 | 8:52 am
#1
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
Programs: UA 1K, IC RA
Posts: 60,745
need help for friend picking an alliance
Hi all,
So one of my buddies up here in BOS has enlisted my help in trying to maximize his FFP return. He has a new job that will require him to travel to the following cities on a regular basis for the next 6 months to a year:
Atlanta
Phoenix
New York
Houston
There might be other cities in the mix, but these are the standard 4 client sites he'll be traveling to.
Now, the wrinkle. The client has requested that he fly on AA, CO, DL and NW because of corporate discounts/kickbacks, etc.
He's new to the domestic travel game (first gig as a consultant) and thus has not learned to appreciate domestic upgrades, status, etc., but he soon will. His long-term FF goals are pretty standard: he wants to travel to Eastern Europe (specifically the Balkans: BEG, SPU, etc.) a couple times a year on miles. So he doesn't need a huge network in Europe, but he needs a decent one. Asia is less important.
He has no problem making connections if it will help accrue miles and is willing to consolidate his travel on one alliance. He'll also combine his flying strategy with a credit card strategy based on the alliance he chooses.
So, based on this data, what would you guys recommend? Thanks!
So one of my buddies up here in BOS has enlisted my help in trying to maximize his FFP return. He has a new job that will require him to travel to the following cities on a regular basis for the next 6 months to a year:
Atlanta
Phoenix
New York
Houston
There might be other cities in the mix, but these are the standard 4 client sites he'll be traveling to.
Now, the wrinkle. The client has requested that he fly on AA, CO, DL and NW because of corporate discounts/kickbacks, etc.
He's new to the domestic travel game (first gig as a consultant) and thus has not learned to appreciate domestic upgrades, status, etc., but he soon will. His long-term FF goals are pretty standard: he wants to travel to Eastern Europe (specifically the Balkans: BEG, SPU, etc.) a couple times a year on miles. So he doesn't need a huge network in Europe, but he needs a decent one. Asia is less important.
He has no problem making connections if it will help accrue miles and is willing to consolidate his travel on one alliance. He'll also combine his flying strategy with a credit card strategy based on the alliance he chooses.
So, based on this data, what would you guys recommend? Thanks!
May 12, 2006 | 9:15 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 139
Sounds like a perfect candidate for SkyTeam to me. CO/DL/NW are all members, so he can fly to ATL, NYC, and IAH nonstop. PHX will require a stop somewhere, but that's no big deal. He'll be able to get to Eastern Europe through CO's extensive EWR hub or through AF/KL which is also a member of the alliance.
The only holdback is if he likes international first class. CO/DL/NW only have a combined Business/First product. That certainly wouldn't stop me considering everything else fits into his requirements quite well.
The only holdback is if he likes international first class. CO/DL/NW only have a combined Business/First product. That certainly wouldn't stop me considering everything else fits into his requirements quite well.
May 12, 2006 | 9:21 am
#3
Original Poster
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: NYC (formerly BOS/DCA)
Programs: UA 1K, IC RA
Posts: 60,745
Originally Posted by pgtravel
Sounds like a perfect candidate for SkyTeam to me. CO/DL/NW are all members, so he can fly to ATL, NYC, and IAH nonstop. PHX will require a stop somewhere, but that's no big deal. He'll be able to get to Eastern Europe through CO's extensive EWR hub or through AF/KL which is also a member of the alliance.
The only holdback is if he likes international first class. CO/DL/NW only have a combined Business/First product. That certainly wouldn't stop me considering everything else fits into his requirements quite well.
The only holdback is if he likes international first class. CO/DL/NW only have a combined Business/First product. That certainly wouldn't stop me considering everything else fits into his requirements quite well.
May 12, 2006 | 6:20 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 139
Hmm, I'm not that familiar with SkyTeam either. I believe CO used to have unlimited free upgrades, but you'll need to check with them if that's still the case. I would probably just join the airline that you would expect to fly most. ATL is DL, NYC is DL/CO, IAH is CO, and PHX could be anyone. So I would say either DL or CO.
