Earning frequent flyer miles/points, redemption, inter-airline point transfers
32
votes
12answers
2k views
What techniques, tricks or otherwise have you used to get upgrades on flights?
I've travelled a lot. Living in New Zealand or the UK means anywhere is likely a flight, but I've always flown economy. Twice between LA and Auckland I managed to get the exit row after talking ...
11
votes
1answer
391 views
Using status across other Star Alliance airlines?
If I have a status on one member airline in Star Alliance (SA), do I automatically get the same status on other SA airlines?
If I don't get it automatically, can it be requested?
10
votes
1answer
578 views
When you fly for free using miles, do you earn miles?
Two questions:
If I "buy" a flight using miles, will I earn miles on that flight? In my case, I'd be using American Airlines miles to buy an American Airlines flight.
What about if I use American ...
10
votes
2answers
131 views
Can I upgrade only a portion of my ticket with miles on Singapore Air (SQ)?
If I book a trip such as JFK-SIN-MLE (New York -> Singapore -> Maldives) RT (round trip), would it be possible to use miles to just upgrade the JFK-SIN portion of the trip? Or even simpler, if I have ...
9
votes
6answers
233 views
Is there a frequent flyer program catering to children?
I am with my current bank, because I have been with them since very early age. My bank is very smart in knowing that if you have been with a bank for years, you are not likely to change.
I am ...
9
votes
2answers
243 views
How to find an appropriate frequent flyer program?
In the last months I flew a lot with different airlines, mainly Swiss, AirBaltic, Aeroflot and AeroSvit. Now I was wondering if there is a frequent flyer program covering as much as possible of these ...
9
votes
1answer
1k views
Determine Cathay Pacific fare class
I recently flew with Cathay Pacific in economy and now Qantas is rejecting my frequent flyer point claim. Is there a way to check which fare class I bought based on my e-ticket?
8
votes
3answers
559 views
Do you earn miles for trips that you flew, but you didn't buy?
I am being flown out by a company for an on-site visit. Will I earn miles for this trip, or will the company?
8
votes
1answer
184 views
Does Singapore Airlines offer any reward seats on their EWR-SIN route?
Singapore Airlines has an all-business class flight from EWR-SIN (Newark->Singapore), but I can't seem to find any reward Krisflyer flights for any dates.
8
votes
1answer
1k views
When canceling a flight purchased with miles, do I get the miles back?
It seems that when you buy a flight using miles, trip insurance doesn't restore or pay for the miles spent purchasing a flight, at least when purchased through a third party.
Is it possible to ...
8
votes
1answer
201 views
United Premier member on a Continental flight operated by United
I am a silver premier member of United. One good thing being a premier member of United is that I can enjoy Economy Plus seating.
I found a ticket issued by Continental, but operated by United. In ...
7
votes
3answers
212 views
With Airlines using the same programs, can I merge benefits?
I tried navigating the labyrinthine web sites for US Airways and Continental (both in the same alliance), and I gave up after the automated system made me rip my own ears off...
Does anyone know ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
What are “500 Mile Upgrades”?
On my American Airlines AAdvantage account, I see a lot of references to "500 Mile Upgrades".
I don't quite understand how these work. Can someone explain what these are for (and what does the "500 ...
7
votes
2answers
268 views
Does the Carte 12-25 still exist in France?
Back in the day, I used a "Carte 12-25" discount card to obtain discounts on rail travel in France. I see that the 12-25 card has a website, complete with a spot to order, but the main page seems to ...
7
votes
2answers
124 views
What ways are there to retain/gain AAdvantage status with American Airlines, apart from flying?
Let's say one is interested in gaining or retaining AAdvantage frequent flyer status with American Airlines (I am happy to broaden the question to other airlines if that's useful). Normally, this ...
7
votes
1answer
2k views
How do I get a free Hostelworld Gold card?
I heard that Hostelworld gives out regularly free Gold Cards. But how can I get such a card? I couldn't find anything one their homepage.
6
votes
3answers
312 views
Can you get frequent flyer miles from all code-share airlines, or only same alliance ones?
For example, Qantas and British Airways are both One World. If you fly with one, you can usually claim miles with the other (except some award seats).
What about China Eastern Airlines, who ...
6
votes
3answers
8k views
Is Spirit Airlines's $9 Fare Club worth it?
Has anyone tried Spirit Airlines's $9 fare club membership ($60/year)?
What do you get with your membership, and what makes it worth it?
6
votes
2answers
1k views
Miles & More: What is a booking class?
I'm member of the frequent flyer program Miles & More. Now I wanted to request additional miles for a flight during summer 2011 when I wasn't yet a member. To fill out the online form, I have to ...
6
votes
2answers
911 views
Expiry of Miles and More (Lufthansa/Swiss) frequent traveler loyalty program award miles?
Since I'm flying regularly with StarAlliance, I joined their frequent flyer program miles and more. There, you can earn two different kind of miles, status miles and award miles. The status miles are ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
What's the best way to use American Express Membership Rewards points for travel to Paris?
(Please advise if this is in the wrong SE and I'll refile it)
I have a large quantity of American Express membership rewards points and a plan to go to Paris over the end of year holidays. I don't ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
Can I use Korean airlines mileage for Delta domestic flights?
I am considering an airline credit card. I currently live in the U.S. and frequently fly domestic, say once a month.
I also annually fly to Korea.
If I use The Korean Airlines' mileage program and ...
6
votes
2answers
111 views
Can you share frequent flyer status with people in your travel group?
Does it makes sense to travel with someone with enough frequent flyer miles to enter airport lounges, if you don't have that required FF card status?
6
votes
1answer
304 views
Can Hostelworld Gold membership numbers be shared among multiple accounts?
Is a Hostelworld Gold membership locked to one particular account, or can it be used when make booking from separate accounts to get a discount? If the latter, then does Hostelworld invalidate cards ...
6
votes
1answer
308 views
Best value converting American Express points for airfare
My wife's 60th is coming up and we'd like to fly to London (from Denver, CO). My physical limitations require business class. Is it best to buy cheapest ticket, then upgrade using American Express ...
5
votes
2answers
174 views
How often should I fly on StarAlliance airlines to be eligible for a Europe-to-USA business class upgrade?
As I expect to regularly go across the Atlantic and it often happens to be through Swiss or Lufthansa, I subscribed to the Miles & More frequent flyer program.
Since I'm travelling on my own ...
5
votes
2answers
321 views
How to collect Oneworld frequent flyer benefits from an RTW trip?
I took an RTW trip earlier this year with several long flights that were all/mostly Oneworld companies:
1 x British Airways
1 x American Airlines
3 x Quantas
(Also 2 medium-haul flights with ...
5
votes
2answers
119 views
What tips or tricks can you use to get “upgraded”/better hotel rooms?
(Inspired by this question on flight upgrades),
Most non-budget hotels have various categories of rooms - perhaps larger rooms, "Executive" rooms, suites, and so on. What tips or tricks can you use ...
5
votes
3answers
90 views
Resource for information on airport lounges access for non-members?
I've been told sometimes you can get a club member with status to take you in as a guest.
I've also had a friend tell me, for example, in Santiago (SCL) he paid $30 to get in, which for a shower, ...
5
votes
1answer
69 views
If a frequent flyer program allows you to earn “250 award miles per stay” at a hotel, then does staying for more nights increase the miles?
So the Best Western Hotel Rewards program rewards 250 award miles per "stay" for American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines. I'm just wondering though - is it 250 award miles for each night, or do ...
5
votes
1answer
94 views
When do my Miles and More miles expire?
I can remember that I've read that award miles at the Star Alliance loyalty program Miles and More expire within 18 months. However, I can't find this information anymore. Has anybody a canonical ...
5
votes
2answers
356 views
What is the Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club mileage multiplier for Premium Economy?
Here goes with a Flyertalk type question....
As a Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club member, I can earn frequent flier miles for Cathay Pacific flights. I can also earn miles for flights taken on any ...
5
votes
1answer
418 views
If I have status on one airline, can I transfer my status to another airline?
I've heard that if you have status on one airline and move to a new area and can't fly them any more, you can call up an airline and get them to match your status. Is this true? Which airlines offer ...
5
votes
0answers
125 views
Getting the most out of Hotel Loyalty programs? [closed]
I've recently taken on a job that has me doing a large amount of travel - and, subsequently, accruing an enormous number of points with a variety of hotel chain loyalty programs.
But beyond simply ...
4
votes
4answers
180 views
Is having multiple air travel loyalty programs possible?
I have an account at Flying Blue, but I've never used it (I just signed up online).
Now I want an account at Asia Miles.
Will it affect me in any way if I just leave the FB account dormant and sign ...
4
votes
1answer
63 views
Does StarAlliance's loyality program have a “recommend a friend” program?
I can't find anything like that on the homepage, but I'm wondering whether Star Alliance has a program like this. So basically, that I would get some miles if I recommend an active friend to also join ...
4
votes
2answers
114 views
Is it possible to use Hilton HHonors points at partner hotels?
Is it possible to use Hilton HHonors points at other hotel affiliated with Hilton? Or, put more generally, what are some strategies on making the most of Hilton HHonors points.
4
votes
2answers
76 views
Can a corporate credit card be registered to accrue points/miles?
I have a corporate AmEx card with my company, and travel a fair amount for work. How can I register that card for promotions/mile accrrual/etc?
Can I do that?
4
votes
2answers
89 views
What “undocumented” benefits are there to being an “elite” frequent flyer?
I travel a lot for business, and so am fortunate enough to have reached an "elite" frequent flyer level. There are some well-documented benefits which are common to most of the frequent flyer ...
4
votes
1answer
54 views
Can you get back miles you didn't fly because you were rebooked on another Airline/Alliance?
I was recently due to fly on American Airlines, but my flights were cancelled at the last minute. They rebooked me on US Airways (not the same alliance), via a slightly different route, and I didn't ...
4
votes
1answer
30 views
If a program is registering me for my hotel stay and paying for it, could I still use those nights for a rewards program?
Say, if an academic program has already registered for my hotel stay and paid for it.
Then can I count the nights I've spent in the hotel for a hotel awards program?
4
votes
1answer
150 views
What is the most efficient way to use Best Western Rewards after staying at a hotel?
So I'm staying in a Best Western Hotel for around 7 nights and would like to use my rewards for either United Airlines, American Airlines, or Delta (or maybe for additional Best Western Hotel stays, ...
4
votes
1answer
6k views
Award travel by combining money payment and miles with United Airlines
Is it possible to get a round-trip ticket using a combination of dollars and miles on United Airlines, in an economical way?
For example, suppose I want to use miles for the outbound leg, but pay for ...
3
votes
2answers
197 views
How will the US Airways and American Airlines merger affect frequent flyer miles?
So I have like 30,000 frequent flier miles with American Airlines and in a few weeks, care of my employer, will be traveling US Airways for a business trip. Since American Airlines is now owned by US ...
3
votes
2answers
69 views
What are the choices of cost-effective Lounges at European Airports?
Assume Mathew's earnings per year are more than 30,000 euros. He pays now for lounges: about 30 euros for one visit. So he pays now about 500 euros every year for lounges. He needs to travel only ...
3
votes
1answer
84 views
Avios points awarded for BA partner airline flights
I am in the BA executive club. What are the rules for receiving points for flights operated by the partner airlines? Last time I flew Finnair, I got exactly 25% of the points that I would have ...
3
votes
1answer
56 views
How does one search for flights with miles? Or is it simply a post-selection operation?
I have started to accumulate a few decent miles with some airlines. In the past, I've merely used miles to reduce the cost - choose a flight, apply points, voila.
However, I was wondering if there ...
3
votes
2answers
67 views
Will Alaska always give credit for flights if both marketing and actual airline are partners?
As an example, KLM flight 6162 is not on their list of KLM flights that they credit for mileage. But the funky thing is that both KLM (the marketing airline) and the actual airline (Delta) are both ...
3
votes
1answer
267 views
Difference between AAdvantage “points” and “miles”
When I review my American Airlines AAdvantage account, I notice that I am accruing both "points" and "miles".
Both appear to play a role in determining my elite status, but I can't seem to find the ...
3
votes
2answers
79 views
Is collecting miles for Cathay Pacific worth it for semi-frequent long-haul flights?
I'll be flying two return trips a year, with a possible extra trip in the rare case of unforeseeable occurrences.
This will be for at least 4 years.
The flights are Heathrow - Hong Kong, 5990 ...
