Which *A FFP to use/join up to.

[`X']

Well work has finally approved my leave and after countless hours playing with both the *A and OW rtw tools.. Ive finally got my itinerary set.

But now comes the thing of which program to put the points towards. Im after both status (as i may be moving to the USA in the next 2 years) and then also which is going to give me the best redemption possible i guess.

I already have membership with Air NZ & BMI (gotta love that dodgy *A Silver promos they offer) but really im happy to put it to whatever is recommended.

Itinerary is as follows:


Brisbane to Vancouver



7 Jul 11 Departure: 12:25 Brisbane, Australia - Brisbane Arrival: 17:25 Auckland, New Zealand - Auckland
Flight: Air New Zealand NZ136 Aircraft: Boeing 777-200/200ER

Cabin Class: Business (D)
Change of plane required. Time between flights = 4:05.


7 Jul 11 Departure: 21:30 Auckland, New Zealand - Auckland Arrival: 14:45 Los Angeles, USA - Los Angeles International
Flight: Air New Zealand NZ2 Aircraft: Boeing 777-300

Cabin Class: Business (D)
Change of plane required. Time between flights = 4:10.


7 Jul 11 Departure: 18:55 Los Angeles, USA - Los Angeles International Arrival: 21:36 Vancouver, Canada - Vancouver International
Flight: Air Canada AC557 Aircraft: Embraer 190

Cabin Class: Business (Z)
San Francisco to New York



3 Aug 11 Departure: 10:10 San Francisco, USA - San Francisco International Arrival: 16:25 Chicago, USA - O'Hare International
Flight: United Airlines UA972 Aircraft: Boeing 767-300/300ER

Cabin Class: Business (D)
Change of plane required. Time between flights = 1:05.


3 Aug 11 Departure: 17:30 Chicago, USA - O'Hare International Arrival: 20:46 New York, USA - La Guardia
Flight: United Airlines UA692 Aircraft: Airbus Industrie A319

Cabin Class: First (A)
New York to Paris



5 Aug 11 Departure: 18:00 New York, USA - John F Kennedy Arrival: 08:05 +1 day(s) Zurich, Switzerland - Zurich
Flight: Swiss LX17 Aircraft: Airbus Industrie A330-300

Cabin Class: Business (D)
Change of plane required. Time between flights = 1:00.


6 Aug 11 Departure: 09:05 Zurich, Switzerland - Zurich Arrival: 10:20 Paris, France - Charles De Gaulle
Flight: Swiss LX634 Aircraft: Airbus Industrie A320-100/200

Cabin Class: Business (D)
Paris to Berlin



13 Aug 11 Departure: 09:30 Paris, France - Charles De Gaulle Arrival: 11:05 Berlin, Germany - Tegel
Flight: Lufthansa LH3241 Aircraft: Boeing 737-500

Cabin Class: Business (D)
Berlin to London



16 Aug 11 Departure: 11:05 Berlin, Germany - Tegel Arrival: 12:00 London, United Kingdom - Heathrow
Flight: BMI BD842 Aircraft: Airbus Industrie A319

Cabin Class: Business (J)
London to Tokyo



20 Aug 11 Departure: 19:35 London, United Kingdom - Heathrow Arrival: 15:20 +1 day(s) Tokyo, Japan - Narita
Flight: All Nippon Airways NH202 Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER

Cabin Class: Business (D)
Tokyo to Hong Kong



1 Sep 11 Departure: 15:30 Tokyo, Japan - Narita Arrival: 18:10 Seoul, Korea (Republic of) - Incheon International
Flight: Asiana Airlines OZ103 Aircraft: Boeing 777-200/300 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 777-200/300 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Cabin Class: Business (D)
Change of plane required. Time between flights = 1:35.


1 Sep 11 Departure: 19:45 Seoul, Korea (Republic of) - Incheon International Arrival: 22:30 Hong Kong, Hong Kong (SAR of China) - Hong Kong International
Flight: Asiana Airlines OZ723 Aircraft: Airbus Industrie A330-300

Cabin Class: Business (D)
Hong Kong to Singapore



6 Sep 11 Departure: 15:40 Hong Kong, Hong Kong (SAR of China) - Hong Kong International Arrival: 19:20 Singapore, Singapore - Changi
Flight: Singapore Airlines SQ861 Aircraft: Airbus Industrie A380-800

Cabin Class: Business (D)
Singapore to Brisbane



10 Sep 11 Departure: 09:55 Singapore, Singapore - Changi Arrival: 19:30 Brisbane, Australia - Brisbane
Flight: Singapore Airlines SQ245 Aircraft: Airbus Industrie A330-300

Cabin Class: Business (D)

 

[kamchatsky]

Do you know what each fare class for each segment? eg D, J, I, Y, V etc .....

Are you aiming to be a *A Gold?

 

[`X']

Do you know what each fare class for each segment? eg D, J, I, Y, V etc .....

Are you aiming to be a *A Gold?

Gold would be fantastic as i know i could get it with like Aegean or some other airline but i want the most benefit i guess.

Booking Classes have now been inserted.

 

[Fantic125]

If you're moving to the US in a few years, AA for any OW flights and UA for any *A (with the UA+CO merger they're both the same).

Just make sure you keep your points topped up and meet the minimum requirements identified in both the AA & UA sites.

(and check Frequent Flyer Bonuses - Guide to the most Frequent Flyer and Guest Bonus Offers for anything that may help.)

 

[Fantic125]

Gold would be fantastic as i know i could get it with like Aegean or some other airline but i want the most benefit i guess.

Booking Classes have now been inserted.

Asiana only requires 40k over 2 years from joining to make *A Gold, then 2 years and 40k to retain. Upgrades and redemption is average though.

 

[`X']

If you're moving to the US in a few years, AA for any OW flights and UA for any *A (with the UA+CO merger they're both the same).

Just make sure you keep your points topped up and meet the minimum requirements identified in both the AA & UA sites.

(and check Frequent Flyer Bonuses - Guide to the most Frequent Flyer and Guest Bonus Offers for anything that may help.)

isnt UA notorious for bad redemption (from what ive read)?

 

[kamchatsky]

isnt UA notorious for bad redemption (from what ive read)?

UA is actually bad for redemption because they implement StarNet blocking where they have their own redemption restrictions on top of existing *A availability.

 

[`X']

UA is actually bad for redemption because they implement StarNet blocking where they have their own redemption restrictions on top of existing *A availability.

any suggestion then? or should i just credit it to NZ?

 

[kamchatsky]

any suggestion then? or should i just credit it to NZ?

Actually depends on what you want to achieve really. Max points, or best redemption values, or *G.

- US Airways seems to have good redemption tables, especially with Business and First. Taxes is very low as well. But it seems your miles earned are at most 125% for all flights.
- Asiana Club is easy to get *G but very expensive redemption tables.
- Singapore Krisflyer is good also but points only last 3 years.

I saw you put the same question in FT in *A sub-forum. I think you did the right thing. There are probably more *A experts over there.