The best airline reward program.

[Deleted member 29185]

I've been thinking about this. I'm at a cross roads. Most of my flying is domestic and short haul int. I'm gathering the biggest issue about FFer programs is the requirement of many to have a certain number of sectors on their own metal. As I'm moving to a stage of life where I expect more leisure int. flying, I was wondering what program might offer the best rewards and whether the "own metal" sectors can be fairly easily achieved out of Australia. I also like the idea of lifetime status, so any programs with that would be good. I'm currently VA plat and EK silver and would like to think about RTW type fares. The trip I'm just starting to plan is still a way off so also good point buy availability, earn and burn and lounge access is all important. I've been hesitant to research the mind blowing complexities of J and F reward schemes, but they will also come to the fore I believe. Both myself and my +1 don't mind the challenge of "unusually" routed sectors, but before we embark on that path, we really need to decide which FF program(s) to base it all on.


The ones I intend to research are;

- QF - TG - SQ - UL - AI - EK - EY - AA - BA


but any suggestions you can offer may make my research hours shorter. I've decided that while I fly lots, VA may not be the best place to accrue status etc simply because:

a) their game change plan seems to be entering phase II (being "waves of change" plan, with those waves washing away benefits)
b) No LTS
c) Limited and variable status recognition worldwide

If there is already a recent single thread comparing airline programs (the last I found was 3 years ago and closed) or in fact good threads to read that discuss this, please advise.

 

[Mattg]

It's a good question. It can be quite difficult to find the "best fit". If you're planning not planning to travel overseas more than once a year, then it's pretty hard to look beyond QF and VA. I say this as most programs having a minimum sector requirement, favour earn rates on their own metal, and generally offer more point-earning opportunities in their home countries.

QF has LTS and LTG, and a good network of partners in and out of oneworld. And presumably you'd be able to do the minimum 4 sectors per year. AA is probably better value than QF, but again you'd need to do a minimum 4 AA/US sectors - impossible without going to the USA once a year. If you can do that, then status levels are similar to QF but points burn is often much better value.

If you haven't already, you might want to have a read of the free shortcuts to status guide on the Knowledge Centre: Shortcuts to Airline Status — The Australian Frequent Flyer Knowledge Centre - it goes a little bit into alternative programs and things like status matches and challenges. Status challenges are a particularly good way to gain elite status quickly with a US based program, if you choose one of those.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'd suggest two things to factor in:

* Will you be able to earn points for the FF scheme from non flying - eg credit cards, shopping etc. Qantas I would think has the most opportunities for this in Australia, but there would be others - I saw mention of a card that accrues Krisflyer points.

* Any idea where you might want to do your future international flying, or at least focus it? If Europe I'd suggest a Star Alliance scheme, as I think they have the best network within Europe. When I did a bit of a tour last year I made sure I had Gold status on Star Alliance to access the most lounges; I couldn't do my itinerary on OneWorld without multiple flights out to the edge (eg London) and back in. South America might be better served by OneWorld (LAN/TAM) but not sure about that. Australia obviously OneWorld!


If you are reasonably certain to get to the US (ie to fulfil the 4 sectors rule), then I think the AA or UA schemes are still decent value. AA has pretty good value miles purchases when they offer bonus miles (ie buy 80,000 miles, get 30,000 bonus); I imagine UA would have similar. These are great for miles top-ups if you want to use miles for a trip.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's party an issue of status vs value for money.

I'm thankful for lifetime silver... I don't have to queue at economy counters or wait 30 minutes to have a call answered... however... since losing status I find I have a lot more flexibility.

I can take advantage of three or four different miles buying programs... fares much cheaper than I'll get by paying revenue (or get business/first for the same price as economy), and with all the benefits of status anyway. And I don't need to worry about spending money on 4 segments or minimum $ or miles accrual per year.

No status frees me to buy some more interesting fares... EY from Colombo to JFK was recently in the $1500 ball-park. Business class. I'd be flying coach on BA/QF for the same price simply to try and maintain status.

Even though I have silver for benefits like business class check-in, you don't really need it. You can just as easily save the same time with auto-check-in, or internet check-in and simply go straight to bag drop (the lines are often pretty empty).

Lounge access? That's a benefit of top tiers... but easily purchased if needed for economy travel.

Lifetime status? Nice idea... if the airlines maintain the benefits. No guarantees.

No doubt top tier can be lots of fun. I had platinum for 8 or 9 years. But looking back it was fairly restrictive in terms of airline choice (even more so now with simpler and fairer). If I was still chasing that today I'd be flying OW to China taking me hours longer than Air China non-stop.

Since leaving status behind I've saved tens of thousands of dollars and that's just in the last four or five years.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Interesting points. I am a believer in forgetting status.....when it suits, but with my AU flights (40+ a year) status does certainly make life easier at the moment. I'll start reading up on the myriad of posts regarding the point buy options as I do have a few years yet to make any transition.


EU and Asia probably holds more attraction to me than US, so Star is the better team? What about Air New Zealand than? Close to home, I gather NZ loyalty will give me the same VA benefits and I can buy NZ fares with VA points and I believe I can allocate point earn to NZ, so is there a downside (apart from losing the status bonus points)?

 

[Mattg]

EU and Asia probably holds more attraction to me than US, so Star is the better team? What about Air New Zealand than? Close to home, I gather NZ loyalty will give me the same VA benefits and I can buy NZ fares with VA points and I believe I can allocate point earn to NZ, so is there a downside (apart from losing the status bonus points)?

Don't even bother with Air NZ and Airpoints! IMHO Airpoints is one of the worst programs in the world. All redemptions on NZ are basically the equivalent of QF points plus pay (i.e. points cost is based entirely on the cost of the fare and the conversion rate is terrible) and you can't even use your points to upgrade, unless you want to put your Airpoints dollars towards an upgrade bid. I don't know anyone on here who would recommend NZ, and in fact even NZ flyers have been leaving in droves in recent years.

If you want to stick to Star, SQ is probably a good option. SQ status gives you reciprocal benefits on VA and all star airlines. Of course you can convert points between VA and SQ so that's a big plus. Otherwise UA is good on the miles side of things, and A3 is good for cheap status, but only if you plan to visit Greece.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Sorry - I missed the frequent aussie travel. I guess it comes down to annual domestic status (VA vs QF), vs status or lifetime status which you may or may not need for international depending on your plans?

 

[newmarket]

I've decided that while I fly lots, VA may not be the best place to accrue status etc simply because:

a) their game change plan seems to be entering phase II (being "waves of change" plan, with those waves washing away benefits)
b) No LTS
c) Limited and variable status recognition worldwide

+1. I've become increasingly unhappy with VA (I'm plat too). I've started moving some US flights to DL because it was easy to do, although I don't think that it is my best choice. Besides DL tickets (on VA or DL metal) to LAX are generally much cheaper.

I'm now DL Gold Medallion and VA Plat and will keep both, but I would rather find one to stick with. My goals, are status to avoid lines, get decent economy seats (I only fly economy) and good redemption for an annual family holiday.

 

[smit0847]

Id focus on researching AA BA SQ and maybe EK or EY. Theres a reason theyre discussed so much on this site.

Dont waste your time looking into TG or NZ.

 

[serfty]

Don't even bother with Air NZ and Airpoints! IMHO Airpoints is one of the worst programs in the world. ...

+1 to this ...

Also NZ earn has become BAEC like - today I was looking at an MEL-AKL S class sale fare ... Airpoints earn would have been 1APD and 7 SP's ... crediting to Velocity would be 412 points and 20 SC's ...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Don't even bother with Air NZ and Airpoints! IMHO Airpoints is one of the worst programs in the world.
If you want to stick to Star, SQ is probably a good option.

+1 to this ...

Funny thing being, a friend of mine has the top SQ status and is thinking of dropping down a peg to gain VA Plat for row 3! OK, so ANZ is out. Is it perhaps wise to look at mid tier status with both Star and One World? It's been suggested (and the suggestion resonates with me) to forget status and go for point and pay deals to maximise J/F sectors, so perhaps status is not so important (apart from my regular dom flying)?

Sorry - I missed the frequent aussie travel. I guess it comes down to annual domestic status (VA vs QF), vs status or lifetime status which you may or may not need for international depending on your plans?

Please don't apologise! I do indeed like your original suggestion. It just means I need to do lots of homework (to which I'm really not looking forward).

 

[JessicaTam]

Funny thing being, a friend of mine has the top SQ status and is thinking of dropping down a peg to gain VA Plat for row 3! OK, so ANZ is out. Is it perhaps wise to look at mid tier status with both Star and One World? It's been suggested (and the suggestion resonates with me) to forget status and go for point and pay deals to maximise J/F sectors, so perhaps status is not so important (apart from my regular dom flying)?

You may like to look at AB. They are *O but a VA and EY partner. I think 50,000 miles for gold, though.

 

[dajop]

Funny thing being, a friend of mine has the top SQ status and is thinking of dropping down a peg to gain VA Plat for row 3! ).

I assume your friend is Gold on SQ, which is not the top status at all, in fact 3rd in the SQ pecking order. The top SQ status and VA Plat are not mutually exclusive. In fact provided they do the right number of VA sectors it is very easy for someone with the top SQ status -which is entirely earned on $ spent in SQ/MI J or F - to earn VA Platinum (and still get to gold status on, say, Lufthansa).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

You may like to look at AB. They are *O but a VA and EY partner. I think 50,000 miles for gold, though.

Thanks JT, I'll do that.....but I hope the own metal requirements are not too restrictive.........I'll go look and see! Much appreciated.

 

[JessicaTam]

Thanks JT, I'll do that.....but I hope the own metal requirements are not too restrictive.........I'll go look and see! Much appreciated.

I am not sure that there are any.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I am not sure that there are any.

Now you're piquing my interest!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I assume your friend is Gold on SQ, which is not the top status at all, in fact 3rd in the SQ pecking order. The top SQ status and VA Plat are not mutually exclusive. In fact provided they do the right number of VA sectors it is very easy for someone with the top SQ status -which is entirely earned on $ spent in SQ/MI J or F - to earn VA Platinum (and still get to gold status on, say, Lufthansa).

I'll ask and perhaps direct him to this thread. I don't understand your comment, but I'll go and look and see if I can understand it! (Int status is an entirely new ballgame for me)

 

[Mattg]

I am not sure that there are any.

There are no specific requirements to fly a minimum number of AB sectors per year, however:
-AB/HG flights earn 40% more points
-Earn rates on QF/VA economy short-haul are abysmal.

AB makes sense if you plan to do a fair bit of long-haul/premium cabin flying though.

 

[dajop]

I'll ask and perhaps direct him to this thread. I don't understand your comment, but I'll go and look and see if I can understand it! (Int status is an entirely new ballgame for me)

Sorry, it is confusing and I will try to explain it clearer! Singapore Airlines has two components to its loyalty program, one (like most programs) allows you to earn silver or gold status based on miles flown on SQ, Silkair and star alliance (with miles earnt a multiple of distance travelled depending on class of travel and fare level - ranging from nothing for many cheaper fares to multiples >1 for flights in business and first class).

The other component is based solely on $ spent in business and first on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir. $25k SGD gets "PPS" status and $250k over 5 years gets exalted "Solitaire PPS" (both also achieve star alliance gold). This can be earned completely independently of where you earn miles. So you can ask for miles to be credited to VA (and therefore earn status with them) and still accrue PPS dollars with SQ . A neat way of helping get VA status + star alliance status if travelling in business class on SQ a lot.

For most of us , this of course does not apply for economy travel - it is just one or the other.

And back to one of the other discussion points I have both Krisflyer gold (through current travel) and Qantas gold (lifetime, through past travel) and do find it really useful having mid tier status on both star and one world (plus get benefits on Emirates and Jetstar courtesy of QF, and VA and SilkAir courtesy of SQ).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Sorry, it is confusing and I will try to explain it clearer!

Thanks for the in depth clarification. Now even I understand it! Is the SG$25k spend for PPS also over 5 years or annually?