Frequent Flyers for Mixture of Airlines?

[kiwikroozer]

Hi, Folks - I'm brand-new to all this, and would really appreciate some tips.

We're soon to go on a trip from Aus to UK and back - and points in between - and we're keen to get on to a frequent flyer programme. Only problem is that we aren't flying QANTAS or any of its allied airlines. We are going with Emirates/Malaysia/Swiss Airlines.

Can anyone advise us of the best ff programme for us, please?
Is there a points system whereby you can accumulate points REGARDLESS of which airlines you're travelling on?
Thanks!
;-)>

 

[Mwenenzi]

kiwikroozer. Welcome to AFF

Is there a points system whereby you can accumulate points REGARDLESS of which airlines you're travelling on?

No single programe to collect miles-points. Some airlines do not give ff miles-points. Most have partner airlines that allow you earn points-miles in their program. You will get very few points-miles on one trip. FF programes are for the long term.

Only problem is that we aren't flying QANTAS or any of its allied airlines. We are going with Emirates/Malaysia/Swiss Airlines.

Emirates & Swiss are point earning partners of the United Airline freq flyer program (as is Air NZ). Malaysia has it own programe. BMI (UK) also worth a check if you are taking flights in Eu.

But you need to check if the fare class is eligible to get ff miles. Some are not and discount fares get a % of the miles.

 

[dajop]

Another option may be to look at Virgin Blue's program, Velocity Rewards. Both Emirates and Malaysian are partners in this program, although Swiss aren't. It really depends on which sectors you are flying which airline on and what the booking class. If you had long sectors on Swiss, sounds like United Mileage Plus may be the way to go. However, if the long ones in Malaysian, then maybe Virgin Blue. Do you have any credit cards that earn points? That may influence it as well, as United Mileage Plus does not have direct linkage to Australian Credit Card schemes (perhaps except for Diners Club, not sure), whilst Velocity, and indeed Malaysian Airlines program do.

Which sectors on which airline, and do you know the booking class for each airline (a letter between A and Z - your travel agent should know this!).

As for your question, "Is there a points system whereby you can accumulate points REGARDLESS of which airlines you're travelling on"? The answer is no there isn't but another way of looking at - sometimes it is better just to choose the best fare than a fare that earns points. (ie the savings in $$ from choosing airlines that don't earn points can sometimes be worth more than the value of the points themselves, depending a whole range of factors).