All Questions
322 questions
61
votes
14
answers
9k
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 ...
- 160k
55
votes
7
answers
8k
views
Would a non-business traveler ever benefit from collecting air miles, as compared to simply buying the cheapest ticket available?
Looking at various air miles programs around the world, it seems to me that they're only useful for business travelers, who basically get free flights out of their employer's pocket. However for a ...
- 81.7k
21
votes
6
answers
3k
views
How can I calculate the value of any given airline's miles?
Very often, I'm torn between taking a cheaper flight, and taking a slightly more expensive one where I will accumulate airline mile and loyalty status. I'm torn about how to decide in these ...
user65735
19
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Flight departed from the gate 5 min before scheduled departure time. Refund options
This was Alaska Airlines flight from SJC to LAX. We ran later than we usually do on our way to flights and so we ended up reaching the gate 2 min before the scheduled departure time.
On our way from ...
- 769
16
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Can I travel multiple one-way back-and-forth flights to the same destinations on one day?
Flying between KUL and PEN on Malaysia in Business yield 40 British Airways Executive Club Tier Points, and costs only £50-55, which is a very attractive £1.25-1.38 per Tier Point.
If I book multiple ...
- 539
16
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Can I claim miles if I bought the tickets but didn't take the flight?
Due to odd circumstances I didn't have a chance to take a flight. I already bought the tickets and I wasn't able to cancel anything.
Can I still request miles (Miles & More)?
- 263
15
votes
9
answers
16k
views
Is it possible to add a Frequent Flier number after the flight is booked?
My university is responsible for booking flights on my behalf. I wanted to know if it's possible to add my frequent flier number and credit the miles to it after the flight has been booked?
Is it ...
- 1,633
15
votes
2
answers
4k
views
If an airline goes bust or insolvent, what happens to frequent flyer miles and reward tickets?
I have a good number of frequent flyer miles with Jet airways, which is running into financial troubles. This is getting me a little worried and I have the following questions about it:
I have used ...
- 4,167
15
votes
1
answer
1k
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?
- 1,974
14
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is there a way to rescue orphaned and expiring Qantas Frequent Flyer miles?
My family member has some Qantas Frequent Flyer miles that are about to expire (18 months since last earn). My own account is not expiring, and I'm planning to use its miles for future family travel.
...
- 99.2k
14
votes
3
answers
7k
views
How do airlines make money or get some other kind of advantage when I book a flight using miles not earned from flying?
Let's say I have a credit card1 that awards me with miles for my expenses (each X dollars spent = Y miles earned).
When I use my card to buy products and services, the money goes to the places I spent ...
- 325
14
votes
3
answers
9k
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 ...
- 12.4k
14
votes
1
answer
5k
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 ...
- 2,401
13
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Privacy disadvantages of 'frequent flyer miles' program
I am flying quite often, but never signed up for frequent flyer miles card. I am skeptic about my privacy. I also don't understand very well how frequent flyer miles work.
With a search engine I ...
- 569
13
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Reward flight cancelled and denied rerouting
I had 3 BA flights booked using reward flights (Avios) cancelled for "operational reasons" well before 14 days and was told I would not be booked on next available flight but had to look for ...
- 131
13
votes
2
answers
655
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 ...
- 51.6k
13
votes
1
answer
117k
views
What's the difference between MileSAAver and AAnytime reward tickets on American Airlines?
What's the difference between MileSAAver and AAnytime reward tickets on American Airlines, once they have been booked? Do they have different cancellation or change policies, for example?
I'm looking ...
- 12.4k
12
votes
2
answers
12k
views
What's the difference between SkyTeam and Flying Blue?
I am going to reserve a flight with Air France and I just subscribed to the Flying Blue program (Air France + KLM).
Is this program the same as SkyTeam?
I mean, the miles I earn in Flying Blue ...
- 389
12
votes
4
answers
2k
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 ...
- 12.4k
12
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Is it better to create a frequent flyer program with every airline or to use one from one of the alliances?
I have frequent flyer accounts with at least one US based member of the 3 major alliances. For ex, Delta, United, American Airlines
When I fly internationally on partner airlines (say Japan Airlines &...
- 769
12
votes
3
answers
802
views
How to Reduce the Price of an Awards/Points 'Free' Flight?
Yesterday, I did a redemption for a flight on American Airlines using AAdvanatge points. The flight costs about $800 when booked normally though AA or aggregators like Expedia (tried several and there ...
- 46.3k
12
votes
2
answers
483
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 ...
- 1,974
12
votes
1
answer
692
views
Qantas FF level change ahead of flight
I'm currently a silver level Qantas frequent flyer. I'm going to hit the gold level requirement after a longhaul flight with a stopover (Oz -> UK) and I'm wondering if there's any way to get Qantas to ...
- 980
12
votes
1
answer
1k
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 ...
- 12.4k
11
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Booking a trip to earn airline status
My partner and I are both very close to getting reward status by the end of the year, each on a different airline. We are considering making a quick weekend trip to put us over the edge, but we don't ...
- 2,660
11
votes
2
answers
16k
views
Can I gain mileage if I don't get on the flight but pass check-in?
This might be a ridiculous act but I still consider it. You purchase a return ticket and go to the country, and while you stay there you change your mind and buy another ticket to another country. I ...
- 14.8k
11
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Buying United miles from third-party sites
I can get a better deal on an international ticket by buying miles. I have reached my yearly limit with United - I can't buy any more miles. I found a site online that sells miles. Is buying miles ...
11
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Which miles rules apply in code share
I am a Lufthansa Star Alliance Gold status member. I plan to fly to New Zealand next year, buyng a ticket from Air New Zealand. Part of the journey is operated by Singapore Airlines. Who determines ...
- 111
11
votes
3
answers
11k
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?
- 2,401
11
votes
3
answers
500
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 ...
- 468
11
votes
2
answers
19k
views
Can you earn miles with different airlines for the same one flight, if they are part of the same loyalty program?
For example, I flew British Airways LAX-LHR. I wanted to get miles on Alaska Airlines so I sent in the boarding pass, etc and received credit.
I also have a mileage plan with American Airlines. ...
- 113
11
votes
2
answers
23k
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 ...
- 51.6k
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
If you're evacuated on a flight paid for by your government (eg civil unrest, volcanic ash delays), are you ever entitled to the frequent flyer miles?
This came about after a Facebook discussion over this article:
Abbott government cracks down on bizarre requests for help from Australian travellers:
Question 15:
15) Some travellers evacuated ...
- 160k
11
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Claiming miles that I have flown before registering as frequent flyer
Recently I started traveling across US quite frequently – once a month or so, and by that time I haven't registered for Frequent Flyer program in any of the airlines. I flown by American Airlines, ...
- 221
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How did the cabin crew know that I didn't get my preferred meal in a previous flight?
In a recent flight, I ordered fish, but it was not available, the crew apologized and offered me another meal.
Anyway, I flew after that with the same airline, and when they started serving meals, ...
- 98.6k
10
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can a teenager be company for a 9 y/o so that neither are 'unaccompanied minors'?
Two children traveling on a direct flight with family on each end. Per the airline rules (Alaska Airlines), for a teenager, traveling as a designated 'unaccompanied minor' is optional. Can a ...
- 375
10
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Same airline and flight. Why were miles so different?
I and a friend flew on two different dates from the same origin airport to the same destination on the same Star Alliance airline (Air India). Both were economy class tickets and even the fare ...
- 3,244
10
votes
1
answer
421
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 ...
- 1,025
10
votes
1
answer
8k
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 ...
- 2,401
10
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Do any hotel chains do something like a Europe Pass? Like the Eurail pass, but for hotels
I am doing a tour of Europe for 3 weeks, and thought it would be convenient if I could flexibly book all my accommodation with the same hotel brand, for one flat price? Like the Euro Rail pass.
E.g....
- 283
9
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What are the disadvantages of joining United's MileagePlus program?
I get the obvious benefits, but I don't see what are the downsides of joining Mileage Plus program? Do they require you to apply for credit card? Or you can join by just filling in your data during ...
- 301
9
votes
4
answers
2k
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 ...
- 11.3k
9
votes
6
answers
3k
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 ...
user141
9
votes
2
answers
7k
views
Can I use Korean Air's 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 South Korea.
If I use the Korean Air's mileage program and ...
- 455
9
votes
1
answer
481
views
How does the bus fare payment work in Israel?
I try to find prices for intercity buses in Israel, but I always get to a website of a company representative (Egged Transport) with huge tables of stops.
Is there a way to calculate an exact cost of ...
user68847
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Redeeming miles from one program for partner airline ticket (Star Alliance)
While I am reading online that the following is possible, I don't see a lot of information on how it can be done.
I have over 100,000 miles with Turkish Airlines' Miles&Smiles. I live in Canada ...
- 3,145
9
votes
1
answer
338
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 ...
- 455
9
votes
1
answer
203
views
Is it common practice to allow frequent flyer account access with easily available personal details?
Is it common practice for airline frequent flyer miles programs to allow account access using publicly available personal details?
I've just discovered (in the most unfortunate way) that a frequent ...
- 2,153
8
votes
5
answers
1k
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 programs,...
- 12.4k
8
votes
3
answers
15k
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 code-...
- 160k