This site has been so helpful in the past planning trips that I'm hoping someone can made a recommendation about frequent flier options. My daughter is flying to Melbourne, Australia next month via Singapore Airlines which is a member of the Star Alliance. She is a college student and currently only participates in Continental's frequent flier program so wants to take advantage of the 25,000+ miles she is getting for this trip. My understanding is that if she joins any of the Star Allliance airlines' frequent flier programs, she can use the miles for trips on any of the participating airlines. The US options are United, Delta and US Air. Given the tenuous position of some of those airlines in recent years, we thought maybe it was just better to join Singapore Airlines' frequent flier program if she could use those miles on any Star Alliance airline in the future.

Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts about this? thanks so much.

If she is residing in US I would recommend UA program. It's probably the best out of the 3 airlines you mentioned, but having said that,

it doesn't automatically mean that just because she is flying 25K miles she will get any, some, or all, into any program. Mileage earning depends on the fare code. Each airline program is different, each alliance is different, so it takes some investigative work to know what's what.

I suggest that you start out with finding out what the Singapore Air fare code is. Once you know that, go to their web site and look into their FF program. If she decided to go with UA program, then look at Singapore's partners and find the UA page. There you should find which fares earn what?

Also, you may want to check out www.flyertalk.com and post the same question on the Singapore, UA, USAir and Delta forums. The very knowledgable frequent flyers there will guide you towards the best solution.

I'm not familiar with StatAlliance enough to give you detailed information.

I can't advise, but I can tell you that Delta is not part of Star Alliance. SO it's United or USAir.

Delta is not part a Star Alliance member. It's part of Skyteam. So, her domestic choices for a FF program to deposit her miles are UA and US. Or Air Canada's.

And yeah, check the detail and fare code as AAFF describes. Some cheap fare on SQ may earn FF miles on UA or US' program, but not on SQ's own.

A quick check on the Singapore site got me the following info:

<b>However, Economy Class tickets issued in V, Q, G, N or T booking classes on Singapore Airlines are ineligible for mileage accrual.</b>

and that also seems true for UA program. On their site they clearly state the following &quot;Economy Class—100% of actual flight miles on <b>qualifying</b> fares&quot;, so I'm making an &quot;educated&quot; guess here but the fare codes mentioned above will earn zero miles regardless if you have a Singapore or UA account.

I did not check USAir, but again, I have a feeling it's the same deal.....

but just to be sure, check with StarAlliance experts on www.flyertalk.com

Delta isn't a member of Star Alliance but you can earn Skymiles (but not Medallion Qualification Miles) on certain Singapore fares. From Delta website -

Mileage may be earned on Singapore Airlines-coded and operated flights. Mileage credit is not applicable for fares booked in G, N, Q, R, or V class, or for tickets issued as part of a cruise package.

She should call the FF programs to find out whether or not her fare qualifies.

The USAirways website lists the following Singapore Airlines economy fare classes as eligible for mileage earning: B, E, H, K, L, M, S, U, W, Y

She could choose based on which airline is most convenient for her future travel.