Which airline has the best Frequent Flyer program?
 

Can someone tell me which airline has the best Frequent Flyer program for overseas flights? The Airlines forum never gets many replies so I thought I'd try it over here. <BR> <BR>

I can only speak for American. I had 40,000 miles, which qualifies for eceonomy trip to Europe. A special event occured & I had about 3 weeks notice. I called AA and the tickets were delivered within days. That's all it took so I think AA did well.

Actually, I was leaning towards American as well. Thanks so much for your response!

I'm approaching the one million mile mark with American, since joing in 1986. It's not that I fly all that much, but get miles by always using my AA Citibank card, using MCI, etc. So far I have done upgrades from economy to business three times round trip to Europe, have gone free business class to Taiwan/Tokyo/Hong Kong/Singapore all on one trip via Singapore Airlines, free business class to Australia and New Zealand via Quantas with free stopovers coming and going in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and have gone free business class three times to Europe. I have never had a problem, although I must confess I usually book my free flights exactly 11 months before I go so that I can get the flight I want. I've even learned that I can book the outgoing flight 11 months before and they hold that until I book the return 11 months before my return. This is important for long stays in Europe, otherwise by the time you can book the return, the outbounds are likely to all be taken. One of the best parts about their free business class trips is that you can do stopovers. Last summer we flew from our home in Naples, Florida via Miami to London where we stayed a couple of weeks, then they flew us free business on BA from London to Istanbul, and we returned to Naples from Madrid. The whole trip was 80,000 miles each (now it has gone up to 90,000). Those flights would have cost me over $1400 just in ecomomy class if I had wanted to use miles to upgrade and over $7000 in Business class. I think it is a great program.

Frankly, Patrick, I'm learning more about how wonderful you are on this and other threads than I really care to know. Enough with the subtle bragging, whadaya say, huh!

Sorry to offend, I thought my post was adding information to the usual one liners. I felt that if I explained what a variety of benefits I had received from the AA frequent flyer program and what savings it had provided me that it would more fully answer the original question. Guess I was wrong. Was someone standing by you with a gun forcing you to read my entire post? Let me repost below in a way that you think would be more valuable.

I think American has a good program.

That's much better, Patrick. Now, you're being a good boy instead of pompous ass! Keep it up!

I appreciated Patrick's detailed reply. While it doesn't apply directly, remember La Rouchfocauld's maxim, "No interesting person fails to collect enemies." <BR> <BR>I have used United's frequent flier program for business class trips to Europe on a few occasion, They were always courteous and got me the tickets I wanted, even on relatively short notice.

Isn't it interesting that the truly helpful people on this forum (Patrick, Elvira, Paulo, Bob, and many more) always seem to use real email addresses. But the jealous, nasty, obnoxious, griping posters always use fictitional names and email addresses. At the risk of being spammed to death, I want to say that I appreciate these detailed responses which are much more helpful than simple answers. Patrick has explained in his rather long but helpful post that American offers mileage from a lot of sources and offers rewards that cover the globe in cooperation with other airlines. He has also answered the old compaint of how to beat the impossible task of claiming award flights. Thank you Patrick.

Our airport only has 2 or 3 flights a day w/American, so on my frequent traveling I am usually on Delta or USAir (made preferred levels with both this year: that's not bragging, just too much time away from home on business.) I have found both of them to be really great with travel: this year we have 3 first class to Utah for spring break and 3 business class to France, both with Delta. <BR>I echo w/Patrick: before I want to travel, I call the airline to find out the very first day I can line up flights (I also break up the bookings by making the "go" segment, then calling back for the "come back" segment versus waiting to book the round trip). Then, I get up early (or stay up really late) and hope to be one of their first callers. I have repeatedly had quite good luck, domestically or international, with these airlines. So, to "xxx", add in the factor of which airlines service your area the best, and definitely add in the credit cards, etc., to add the miles. (And, Patrick: I too thought your post was informative and helpful!)

Unfortunately, one really does not have meaningful choice of which airline program to join. It is already decided mainly by where you live and which company you work for. If you live near Dallas, whether you like it or not, you will fly mostly American. If you live <BR>near Atlanta, then you will most likely fly Delta. Mineapolis is the main hub of <BR>Northwest. Most large companies retain own travel agencies to find the lowest fare for their employees' travel. If these two do not apply to you, then chances are you will be affected by the <BR>lowest airfare that's available to you regardless of the carrier. I¡¯ve signed up with many airlines because the company¡¯s travel agency uses whoever offers the best fare. Among <BR>United, British Airways, America, and Northwest, British is the best, but many people will not have chance to fly BA. Between United and American, American wins hands down. <BR>United requires 50K miles between the U.S.and Europe all year long where as AA/BA requires 40K during off peak. UA, being the largest and have the most destinations doesn't have to offer the best program. BA Silver members (and above) get to use Executive Lounge wherever it is available even in the U.S. That¡¯s something no American carriers offer. (Lounges like Red Carpet. Northwest program is very good, but from where I live, <BR>most Northwest¡¯s destinations require a connection or two, but if you live near one of its hubs <BR>(Mineapolis, Detroit, Memphis, etc.) you should give a serious thought. As for airline credit card, I think Discover card will be better than using those airline cards. I consider one mile is worth one cent. That means 25,000 miles to get a free domestic R/T ticket is worth $250. I believe you can get a domestic ticket for $250 (or even less) if you are wiling to put up <BR>with all those restrictions. Spending $25,000 on Discover card will get you about $250 cashback, and cash is more flexible. Airline card is good if you are trying to suppliment your airline mileage, but still it costs $50 to $80 per year.

Patrick - I appreciated your detailed information regarding FF programs, especially the part having to do with stopovers. I'm sure a lot of other readers didn't realize what is possible in regard to stopovers. Thanks again for all the helpful information you contribute to this forum. I, for one, appreciate the details.

I have used both American and United and would choose United any day of the week. I have had nothing but problems with American in trying to get tickets as well as upgrades. Tried to get my mother a ticket from LA to Singapre and they wanted to send her through Europe. Then they asked where exactly Singapore was!!!! Such ignorance has happened more than once with them I am afraid. With United I have had to change flights a number of times for one trip and didn't have one single problem with it nor did they charge me which most other airlines will do for changes made to a ticket when you have used miles.

Since this is the European forum, and most of us will be travelling to Europe, I recommend the Qualiflyer program of Swissair, which you can also get points for on American Airlines and US Airways. <BR>This is a really genorous program. Miles are valid for 3 years. An inter-Europe flight return will cost you 20,000 miles (at times 15,000). I am really proud of being a member, and owe it all to the ground staff who convinced me to join.

Patrick - I, too, learned alot from your reply. Don't let any of the jerks out there stop you from informing the rest of us.

Patrick, you have my vote also.

We use British Airways FF program and it's been very good. You need the usual 40,000 for Europe trip but there are no black out dates and they allow 11 months in advance booking. We always have gotten dates/flts we wanted. Also use a BA VISA card, so the miles do add up even if you don't fly that much. We've also gotten miles using Avis (just got an extra 1500 over Xmas because of a promotion) and didn't even have to fly BA that time (sometimes you do). We've also gotten miles on BA for flying America West. We are not business flyers so it takes time to get them. What we've been doing is using one FF ticket and buying another ticket so when my husband and I "split" what it costs for one ticket we are going rather cheaply!! Right now we are going in April (London & Paris) using one FF ticket & one regular ticket and we still have enough miles for another free ticket for 2002! Everyone has their own way to "play the game" I guess, but we like BA so we use them. The only times we used American for FF miles was about 10 yrs ago and they were dreadful - they argued and argued with me about availability from LA to Hawaii and wanted to route us through San Jose (we lived in LA). I fought my way up through several levels on that one and they "magically" found us seats on the LA-Honolulu flight we wanted .. all this 11 months ahead of time. Some of my co-workers have had problems with AA also, they are always "booked" no matter when you try and get tickets.

Another vote for Patrick - one of the advantages of this forum is that you CAN get detailed personal information. I wonder what the mysterious force (gun to the head) is that makes people read posts they don't like and then take the time to complain - must have way too much time on their hands, IMNSHO

I continue to be amazed by all the wonderful, helpful people in this forum. Thank you all very much for your advice - it is very much appreciated!

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the American Express Membership Rewards Program. Granted, it costs me $40 a year, but that is more than made up by these benefits: <BR>*You can use it the miles on more than one airline. I have used it for FF miles on Delta, Continental and USAir. (It's also good with these airlines' flying partners, as well as Marriott, Hilton, Starwood hotels, etc.) <BR>*They often have bonuses for using your card in supermarkets, gas stations, etc. (Just last month, for example, I picked up 500 miles for getting gas at certain stations.)

Alice, I was just wondering: How do know that Patrick, Elvira, Paulo, Bob and others don't also contribute anonymously and throw zingers as well? I could one of them right now!

Actually, since Alice's support was the first one to appear, I tried to email her and thank her, but guess what? Apparently her email address was a fake! <BR>But thanks to the support from others. I guess I am proud and grateful for the amount of travel I get to do, and sorry if my longwinded answers seem to offend or appear to be "pompous". I guess I still feel if you start to read them and they're too detailed it should be pretty easy to just go on to another response. I just like to give the detailed responses that I also like to receive.

Patrick, I too appreciate your ond the other regular contributors responses. Keep it up. <BR>Interesting how some people have bad experiances on some airlines and good on others. My own experiances with United have been mostly terible. I used up the last of my FF Miles on United to go to the Chicago gettogether. The buld of my miles are on American and NorthWest and have had very good fortune with both of them. Both of them allow you to use their executive lounges when you upgrade to business class in the US and other countries, at least this has been my experiance. <BR>

Patrick, I love your last posting about Alice. That sort of takes the wind out of her sails, I would say! You just can't trust anyone these days.

Thanks for the info about stopovers. It truly is helpful and useful.

I'm a Swissair Qualiflyer myself. And now it's an added bonus that I can get Swissair miles on American. [I just did it on a RT to Syracuse, NY! Almost made it feel like an international trip:)]

I have been collecting American Express points for over four years for a total of 70,000 points. The first two years it cost $25 a year, then they raised it to $40 a year. Unless you charge a lot, it really isn't a good value. So far I have spent $130 for the privilege. If you charge a lot, the value comes from the choices on where to use the points. I cashed in some for a rental car a couple of years ago. I have found that I prefer to use points for a discount on a rental car charged to my American Express card so I have some insurance. If the car is totally free, you need to purchase insurance as you're not using a credit card, losing any insurance benefits. Has anyone else dealth with this? Is my thinking correct?

Diane, I agree that the Amex Membership Rewards program is most worthwhile if you use you card a lot. However, your experience is not such a bad deal. You spent $130 to get 70,000 points. Considering that you can fly to Europe with 50,000 points (or 40,000 off-season), that's not such a bad deal! It would cost you less than $100 for that ticket. <BR>As I said previously, its advantage is that you can use it with several airlines. In my instances, I've been able to combine the Amex miles with earned miles on three different airlines. Plus, I have picked up many bonus Amex miles by taking advantage of its special offers of extra miles. <BR>I might add that I use my Amex card for business quite a lot, the the dollars/miles add up quickly.

I like American and USAirways' frequent flier programs and do not like Northwest. The best thing about American to me is that if you have ALMOST enough miles for a free ticket but not quite, they will let you go ahead and hold the reservation until you get enough miles. The others will not do this, in my experience. I find that it is hardest to redeem miles with Northwest.

For me it's been Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan-Hands Down- <BR>partners with American/Swiss Air, British, Northwest,TWA Continental, Qantas, KLM. Plus most rental car companies, and many chain hotels. So just about any flight I take I get miles for. I've never had any trouble cashing in my miles, 40,000 Europe Oct-April on BA. 20,000 for Alaska Airlines Flights. <BR> <BR>My husband was a BA mileage plan member. But we learned that unless he paid full-fare he didn't get mileage credit, while I would with the same flight with the Alaska Mileage Plan. Needless to say we're both enrolled now.

I only have experience with Continental and United FF programs. Personally, I prefer Continental's over United's (I am Elite in both). Continental (if you're elite)gives you unlimited space available upgrades domestically while on United you have to fly a certain amount of miles before earning upgrades as a Premier member. With Continental, you also have access to Northwest, KLM, Air France code shares and also Virgin Atlantic code shares. Also, I prefer Continental's President's Club to the Red Carpet Club. Just my opinion.

Sometimes where you live dictates what FF program it is best for you to choose. In my case I am lucky because Continental has a hub in Houston and that airline is consistently winning awards for the best FF airline. I agree. There's only one problem with that now, of course. EVeryone else seems to be persuaded by Continental's relentless advertising that it is the best. The result of that is that whereas in several previous years I called Continental 6 months out and could get 2 coach tickets easily for Europe, this fall when I tried it was hopeless. I was told it was because their wonderful program has gotten so terribly popular. Well, at least their connections with Northwest saved the day. I hate/dread flying on NW, but at least we are getting to Europe in April with our FF points. It was that or pay. I just hope that NW doesn't fall out of the sky OR have its often notorious huge delays. Fingers crossed...