collecting frequent flyer points?

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crim

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Oct 16, 2008
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Hi guys,
I'm pretty new to travelling and wat not and i just got back from a 2 month trip where i caught like 17flights with assorted airlines. I know there are airline loyalty programs and credit card loyalty programs.
Are there any programs that let you claim points with many different airlines? Also is it available after you have flown? I have kept all the ticket stubs. Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated! peace out
 
Crim, welcome to AFF. Which airlines did you fly with and what type of fare dod you purchase? This information will help people recommend the next steps for you.

Some FF programs allow you to claim flights up to a short time after you return, but not all programs allow that.
 
Thanks for the reply
I flew all one way economy with the airlines. the main ones were
Qantas- Melbourne to LA
Thai- LA to Bangkok then Bangkok to Melbourne

Other airlines that were all economy tickets one way were:
NWA
American Airlines
United
Air Alaska
Mexicana
Air Asia

Hope this helps you help me! lol thanks!
 
Hmm - lots of different alliances and partnerships involved there, so you won't find a single FF program that will accrue all flights.

Are you expecting to be flying again soon? What do you hope to get from a FF program?
 
hmm probably going to be travelling to the states a bit soon for work. Have used Thai quite a bit as i really like thailand so would look to go back there.
But otherwise i guess just get enough points for trips to sydney, adelaide, brisbane and stuff like that. What do u think?
 
hmm probably going to be travelling to the states a bit soon for work. Have used Thai quite a bit as i really like thailand so would look to go back there.
But otherwise i guess just get enough points for trips to sydney, adelaide, brisbane and stuff like that. What do u think?

As a general rule redeeming points for domestic flights is very poor value...and more so as one can often by very cheap domestic tickets.

ie This will have your points worth than less than 1 cent per FF point.

International trips on econ my should release a value of about 1.5+ cents (Thailand, New Caledonia etc) to more than 2 cents for a Round The World Ticket).


In my case I save up my points for international redemptions, normally 5 tickets at a time for family holidays.

International Business Class Redemptions can be worth say 4 cents.

Business upgrades are good value too...but without status (ie earnt by flying a lot...and status is different from FF points) you may not be able to get any.
 
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As NM said, there are a lot of different airlines, thus you could join each carriers' FF program, however this would dilute your future benefits. However, some of the airlines that you have flown on are part of global alliances, so you could credit flights from a number of airlines to a one FF program (thus maximising any FF benefits). For example, using the airlines you have flown, they are part of the following alliances:

Oneworld - Qantas, American,
Star Alliance - Thai, United
Skyteam - NWA

I'm not aware that Air Asia are part of an alliance, being a low cost carrier. You also mention Air Alaska - do you mean Alaskan Airlines (with flight numbers starting with AS)??

So you need to look at which alliances you did the most flying, as well as your proposed flying in the future, to try and ascertain which specific airline frequent flyer programs you would be able to maximise benefits. It would seem that of the flight you mention, the mileage appears to be split fairly evenly between Star Alliance and Oneworld.

I would presume that your flying on NWA, Mexicana, United and American were more likely to be within Continental USA, Canada or South America,. so shorter flights. It would be beneficial to know all the flights you took (airline and city/city) to be able to further crystalise my thoughts.

Now with a couple of the airlines, they appear to be flexible as to where you credit the flight mileage (Mexicana and [presumably] Alaskan Airlines).

Given you have stated expected travel to America, do you have any feel as to which airline you would likely book a ticket (as it may depend on whether this is personal or business travel).

Personally, based on the presumptions above, I would be leaning towards crediting flights to either the American Airlines or Qantas FF programs (for those flight on QF, AA, AS and possibly Mexicana) and Thai (for United and Thai).

I can go into more depth as to why...but let's jump the first hurdle and see what you think...
 
Good intro by Lindsay wilson!

Just note that there is no domestic *A carrrier in oz (Sigh!) .... so TG miles aren't going to help with domestic travel....

In any case... +1 on the conclusion that domestic flights are poor value for redemption anyway!
 
Thanks for the reply
I flew all one way economy with the airlines. the main ones were
Qantas- Melbourne to LA
Thai- LA to Bangkok then Bangkok to Melbourne

Other airlines that were all economy tickets one way were:
NWA
American Airlines
United
Air Alaska
Mexicana
Air Asia

Hope this helps you help me! lol thanks!
Given that you have flown these flights, it may be too late to collect points on one or more of these carriers.

Some require you to join before travel, ISTR Qantas allow 1 month grace.

I would check this out and get moving on it.
 
Won't there also be a problem trying to credit AA flights to QFF if you are not already a member of the QFF program at the time of the flight?

I have also heard that some FF programs do not allow crediting of flights unless you are an existing member of their FF program. Unfortunately TG ROP is one of these FF programs.

TG Royal Orchid Plus said:
Can I earn miles before joining Royal Orchid Plus?

No, you must be enrolled in the program prior to flight departure, or when using the services of Travel Partners that are eligible for mileage accrual.
 
In any case... +1 on the conclusion that domestic flights are poor value for redemption anyway!

PER-BNE and vv (QF) should be noted as an exception. While not great as ATW's and the like. It is not horrible either.
 
The OP really only has the choice of UA's Mileage Plus scheme to credit the Star aligned flights into. AFAIK they are the only Star carrier to allow backdating of membership, although something with BD also rings a bell on this issue. Still worthwhile doing as LAX-BKK-MEL plus whatever UA flights were involved in the itinerary are a decent starter set of miles to accrue.
 
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