Which Star Alliance FF program is the best?

[jlou]

Future MIL is about to fly RTW with *Alliance - not sure of exact destinations but know that she will be flying to FRA, LHR and then to the US.

She has yet to join a FF program and departs on Saturday.

She is unlikely to do a lot of o/s travel in the next few years so would probably want something that doesn't expire. Most domestic travel is BNE - CNS a couple of times a year.

Any suggestions to help me really get in the good books?? :twisted:

[Kiwi Flyer]

What class of travel? How does she want to use the points in future?

If not travelling o/s in the next few years then status isnt a consideration for joining a particular FFP, unless she has say QF status and can be comped (unlikely in just a few days before travel starts).

UA Mileage Plus doesnt expire as long as have activity every 3 years (stay at one of the chains and credit miles to Mileage Plus will do it). Also has advantage (currently) of some cheap redemptions in Australia/South Pacific region.

NZ Airpoints probably easiest to add points to in future (as can do credit card spend) but points expire after 4/5 years. Worth considering if the RTW is in business or first as the earning rate is quite high.

With only a few days to go I doubt MIL will receive any card before the trip, so whatever FFP is chosen will need to print out member number for adding at check-in along the way (you may be able to FFP # added by TA or ringing each airline but I wouldnt count on this working 100%). Or alternatively, if the trip is shortish, keep all the BP and send in for missing credit at the end of the trip (can earn some brownie points by taking the hassle out for her!).

Hope this helps. Let me know if you want more info.

[jlou]

Thanks

She will be in economy and I expect she would want to either use the points for local trips or save them up for a long haul flight in the future.

Will suggest UA and tell her to save the BPs.

Does Singapore not rate?

[Kiwi Flyer]

Singapore Kris Flyer is an option. But miles expire after 3 years and awards are expensive to most places (there are some bargains too). One of the ANZ credit cards can earn miles to Kris Flyer.

[Kiwi Flyer]

Forgot to mention one of the big advantages of NZ - awards for NZ operated flights are always available if there's a seat and you have enough airpoints dollars to buy it. Useful if redeeming trans-tasman or to south pacific.

Do you know what product RTW has been purchased? If its a RTW Star 1 (29k mile limit), 2 (34k mile limit) or 3 (39k mile limit) then generally booked into M class so earns at full economy rate. IIRC RTW Star Lite (26k mile limit) then its a lower booking class and so may earn full or discounted economy rate depending on the FFP. If the RTW isnt a *A product but is combination of airlines (eg Singapore Four Corners) then would need to check the product as to booking class and whether treated as full or discount economy for mileage earning. In a lot of *A FFPs, discount economy earns significantly less (or none) mileage.

[jlou]

OK, she has joined Air NZ program and is booked in M class.

I would like to be able to work out how many miles she will earn - can I do that on Air NZ website without being a member myself?

Thanks again

[Kiwi Flyer]

Absolutely. Assuming MIL lives in Australia use this chart. There's a different chart if live outside Australia (as NZ currency is used).

A reminder Airpoints uses (Australian) Airpoints Dollars (airbucks) as currency. 1 airbuck = A$1. For longhaul and partner awards there is a special chart (cost is generally much less than for paid tix).

[mbeder]

Resurrecting this post...as I'm about to do a RTW trip on *A airlines (H class). Normally I fly QF/AA/BA, but on this occassion *A was just too good to miss in terms of $ (over $1000 cheaper!)

The trip is as follows:
UA SYD-LA-Vegas
US Vegas-Phoenix
UA Phoenix -DC
SAA DC-Jhb (SA)
SAA Jhb-SYD (on a QF flight)

I have dormant Voyager and UA memberships and was wondering which one I should use for the trip...any thoughts?

Am I correct in assuming that I wouldn't be able to assign the QF Jhb-Syd leg to my QF account seeing that it will be a SAA ticket/codeshare?

Thanks.

[clifford]

Resurrecting this post...as I'm about to do a RTW trip on *A airlines (H class). Normally I fly QF/AA/BA, but on this occassion *A was just too good to miss in terms of $ (over $1000 cheaper!)

The trip is as follows:
UA SYD-LA-Vegas
US Vegas-Phoenix
UA Phoenix -DC
SAA DC-Jhb (SA)
SAA Jhb-SYD (on a QF flight)

I have dormant Voyager and UA memberships and was wondering which one I should use for the trip...any thoughts?

Am I correct in assuming that I wouldn't be able to assign the QF Jhb-Syd leg to my QF account seeing that it will be a SAA ticket/codeshare?

Thanks.

Flying economy, I would normally say the way to go is with Mileage Plus (UA). Although in your case, I'm not clear on whether you will exceed the 25,000 miles to become UA Premier (I'm too lazy to do the math, but I'm sure you will know). However, it all depends on what additional Star flying you plan do in the next year or two.

In any case, 20,000 Mileage Plus miles will get you a free ticket to many places in the Pacific.

[futaris]

Very close to 25k miles:

SYD-LAX-LAS-PHX-IAD-JNB-SYD