Any tips

[ShaunCarroll10]

Hi, just joined, any travel tips.

 

[Forg]

Never get involved in a land war in Asia; and never go up against a Sicilian when death is on the line.

 

[Archipelago]

Always keep your seatbelt fastened when seated.

 

[offshore171]

Be good to your mother.

 

[Dmac59]

Welcome aboard @ShaunCarroll10
You could start here Selected AFF Threads for new members

 

[Captain Halliday]

Never fly direct when you can connect.

 

[sader]

Don't trust a fart when riding horseback on the Mongolian steppe

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @ShaunCarroll10.

I endorse what @offshore171 and @Dmac59 said.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Welcome to AFF.

On a serious note, have a strategy, and pursue it relentlessly.
Work out what your goals are, then plan how to achieve them, and stick to the plan.
Be prepared to think outside the box.

For example, my goals are to travel as often and as comfortably as possible, as affordably as possible.
In other words, fly often, fly at the front of the plane, but avoid paying cash for the privilege.

Obviously I leverage loyalty and status to achieve this.
But the strategy has to adapt to your circumstances.
Before COVID work flew me around constantly. As a result it was feasible for me to be Platinum with both QF & VA.
After COVID Teams, Zoom & Webex all but replaced work travel. So I have had to focus on QF to the exclusion of VA.
Of course VA's exit from premium travel helped this decision, but QF's OW (OneWorld) membership was the decisive factor.
When it comes to international travel, the benefits of status with the alliance can't be matched by VA's patchwork quilt of partnerships.

Credit cards help boost points balances available for reward flights and upgrades. Never use points for anything else.
For a time I used an HSBC credit card to achieve Star Alliance Gold status, but I have recently dropped that as, after the introductory offer, the annual spend required to retain status is too high and meeting this was limiting my QF points earn through my other credit cards.

Since my partner lives in France, status with a Sky Team airline as become a new goal.
So I have applied for a status match with Kenya Airlines, a Sky Team member airline.
They have points earn multiplier options which make status retention achievable with just a few AF flights each year.
With SkyTeam status I will be able to enjoy business class privileges on intra-European AF flights without wasting money on the poor value Euro-business product. I will use this in tandem with our subscriptions to AF's "Carte Weekend+" (Weekend Plus Card) which entitles us to a discount and makes even discount economy fares fully changeable and refundable.

I have waffled on a bit but I wanted to give you a feel for how the knowledge which is shared here can enhance your travel experience.

 

[Hvr]

Attend AFF functions. You'll learn more on person than on line.

 

[markis10]

You'll learn more on person

AFF functions are now on person, do I need to pack the upside down pineapple?