Frequent Flyer program - advice needed

[Ubers]

I'm just after a little advice on what sort of rewards program I should join for my travels. I have very little knowledge about rewards/ frequent flyer programs, so you're speaking to a noob. I've always just browsed available flights and picked the most suitable cheapest ones available.

I'm led to believe some sort of loyalty program is a must if you do a lot of travel. I am an Australian, recently became a golf professional, and will now be doing a fair bit of travel throughout Australia, Asia (countries like South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore) and the US.

Obviously with the golf clubs, having large baggage allowances pre-arranged is beneficial.

What do you recommend for someone in my situation?
What should I join and therefore which Airlines should I target?

Currently, I've joined the Asiana Club which I noticed is a member of the Star Alliance. I've also been using US Airways for my domestic flights in the US and joined their Dividend Miles program, which I also noticed is a member of the Star Alliance.

How does booking with these airlines work into this Star Alliance thing? Does Star Alliance acutally do anything?
Do I automatically become a member of Star Alliance by joining one of the listed Airlines?

Thanks

 

[trooper]

No doubt someone more cluey than me will chime in.. but here goes....

It might be best to pick ONE Star Alliance (*A) program and stick with it - crediting all your *A travel to it.. otherwise you end up diluting the benefits...

They don't "combine" AFAIK in any meaningful way - that is, you can't add your US Airways miles to your Asiana credits for a single award...... (although reward flights can be "purchased" on *A airlines other than your "home" carrier...solely with points/miles earned on/credited to that other carrier - SOME *A Airlines also allow upgades to be purchased that way)

By some research here, and on "Flyertalk", you will be able to find out the features of the various *A FF programs.... which one is best for you will depend on exactly what you want to get out of it.... they DO vary.. sometimes quite considerably...

To address one small point... the golf clubs. When you hit the (Star) Gold level of "your" FF program - which may be called something quite different! - you get extra baggage allowance as a benefit regardless of class of travel...

It would seem that is important to you.... so easier Star Gold qualification might be a serious factor for you in deciding which program....

Good luck!

 

[NM]

Given the countries you mention, and the desire for an alliance-wide baggage benefit, I would also suggest looking at the Star Alliance and select a program that works for the type of travel you anticipate. You will need to consider the following things:

• What class of travel. Different airline programs (even within the same alliance) earn status and miles at different rates for different classes of travel.
• what fare types. Often the cheapest fare types do not earn status/points/miles in some airlines programs. This is most often the case when flying one airline and hoping to credit the status/points/miles to a partner airline's program.
• How much travel. Different programs require different amounts of travel to earn status within the program, and higher status levels come with benefits like bonus miles, lounge access, increased baggage allowance etc.
• That benefits do you want. Things like redeeming free flights, redeeming miles for upgrades, lounge access etc.

Some Star Alliance programs allow you to use miles/points from one airline to upgrade on another airline. This is not available between all alliance members.

Other variations include the validity of miles/points, where some may expire after say 18 months, while others may be valid indefinitely.

 

[Ubers]

Thanks for the advice. I will look into those aspects.

Now, how do I join a Star Alliance program? I went to their website and there was nothing there about joining Star Alliance. When I joined the Asiana Club did it invoke some sort of background membership into Star Alliance?

 

[NM]

Star Alliance is just an alliance between partner airlines. You don't join as a memebr of Star Alliance. You join the FF program of one of the Star Alliance member airlines, such as UA, NZ, TG, LH, BD etc. The trick is to find the program that will be best suited to your planned travel.

 

[Ubers]

Star Alliance is just an alliance between partner airlines. You don't join as a memebr of Star Alliance. You join the FF program of one of the Star Alliance member airlines, such as UA, NZ, TG, LH, BD etc. The trick is to find the program that will be best suited to your planned travel.

Ah, that makes sense now.

So how does Asiana Club keep track of the Star Alliance miles for the other airlines you fly with in the Star Alliance?

 

[NM]

Ah, that makes sense now.

So how does Asiana Club keep track of the Star Alliance miles for the other airlines you fly with in the Star Alliance?

Each airline partner will provide the travel details to Asiana when you travel and have your Asiana membership number registered in the booking. You need to check with the Asiana program details to know how many miles (if any) you will be awarded for flying on different types of tickets with partner airlines.

I suggest investigating several of the Star Alliance airline FF programs to determine which one will best suit your travel profile. Some are better than others for different membership benefits and for earning miles based on different type of fares paid.

Note that some programs do not allow you to earn miles when flying on heavily discounted economy fares on their partner airlines. So make sure you read and understand the membership terms and conditions for the program you choose to use.