What is the best Frequent Flyer Program?

JoshThomas

Hi guys,

I'm starting to do a lot more travelling with work now and so I thought it best that I choose a frequent flyer program, but which is best?

Basically, I guess I am looking for one that I have to achieve the lowest amount of points in order to gain maximum benefits. ie use of airport lounges, possible upgrades etc etc

I'm currently on Miles and More (Lufthansa/Star Alliance), but you need 35,000 miles in a year to move up to their Silver Tier. Are there better ones than this? Most of my flights will be European based, but there will usually also be 1/2 intercontinental flights per year aswell (usually Hong Kong and NYC).

Does anyone have any particular faves/suggestions? Or if not, maybe can point me in the direction of a website that can help?

littlereddevil

I have a card with ba and sas and get much more points with sas but then I have had free upgrades with ba but as I live in ne scotland i don't have a great choice of airlines

ScottySmog

Another vote for the SAS Eurobonus program. You can move up the levels fairly quickly. The BMI Diamond Club program is fairly generous too.

blindman

JoshThomas wrote: »

Hi guys,

I'm starting to do a lot more travelling with work now and so I thought it best that I choose a frequent flyer program, but which is best?

Basically, I guess I am looking for one that I have to achieve the lowest amount of points in order to gain maximum benefits. ie use of airport lounges, possible upgrades etc etc

I'm currently on Miles and More (Lufthansa/Star Alliance), but you need 35,000 miles in a year to move up to their Silver Tier. Are there better ones than this? Most of my flights will be European based, but there will usually also be 1/2 intercontinental flights per year aswell (usually Hong Kong and NYC).

Does anyone have any particular faves/suggestions? Or if not, maybe can point me in the direction of a website that can help?

Flyertalk.com

JoshThomas

Cheers for the link but it looks like they speak in code to me!

I think i'll try the SAS one, unless anyone else suggests otherwise!

Thanks for your help!

bomber2

emirates have a good program

JoshThomas

bomber2 wrote: »

emirates have a good program

Sounds good - but my flights are mainly European.

sertav

I suggest you stay within Star Alliance but sign up with Air Canada's Aeroplan.

You'll achieve Gold status with 35,000 miles.

That's what I'm doing.

JoseChungsDoomsday

sertav wrote: »

I suggest you stay within Star Alliance but sign up with Air Canada's Aeroplan.

You'll achieve Gold status with 35,000 miles.

That's what I'm doing.

but they have no uk credit card. BMI is your best option for free flights

paulinespens

Im with Delta Sky Miles.

Status depends on miles flown. As with all. As previous poster said. flyertalks the place to go.

duchy

Very much depends on the airlines you fly.
Flyertalk is a bit daunting but well worth the effort. I've saved a LOT of money by using it to give me a fuller understanding of all the quirks associated with the different FF programmes. I currently use AAdvantage which gives me miles to everywhere in the US with AA but also miles with BA (at a more generous rate than BA give their own FF member) for UK and Europe. The key is to understand which airlines belong to which alliance if you use a mix of airlines.