Frequent Flyer Programs

[gladhands]

Which do you use/recommend?


My primary is United's Mileage Plus program. I used to live in Chicago, so almost all of my flights were on United. I'm not there anymore but it's still my program of choice. I'm not a business traveller, so I don't rack up a bajillion flight miles every year. I like the fact that they have so many ways to earn miles (Mileage Plus Mall/Dining, flying other Star Alliance Airlines), and often offer sale flights for reduced miles totals.
The problem is that United sucks.

My wife and I also fly Air-Tran a few times a year, because they're one of the few airlines to offer direct flights from our city to her parent's city. Their program is awful. Points expire exactly 1 year after you earn them, regardless of whether or not you've flown with them in that time.

US Airways' program is pretty good for upgrades, but I usually end up using my United account when I fly with them.

 

[mordecai]

it's not too hard to rack up enough points for a flight on virgin america, and i think miles can be transferred to virgin atlantic now too. downside is limited domestic destinations.

 

[Joffrey]

On Mileage plus as well. They have a ton of partner airlines so I'm happy.

 

[cioni2k]

I'm on Continental Onepass w/ the Onepass Plus Mastercard too. Treats me pretty well since I fly NYC>Milan quite often for work

 

[latkaguy]

Originally Posted by gladhands

Which do you use/recommend?


My primary is United's Mileage Plus program. I used to live in Chicago, so almost all of my flights were on United. I'm not there anymore but it's still my program of choice. I'm not a business traveller, so I don't rack up a bajillion flight miles every year. I like the fact that they have so many ways to earn miles (Mileage Plus Mall/Dining, flying other Star Alliance Airlines), and often offer sale flights for reduced miles totals.
The problem is that United sucks.

My wife and I also fly Air-Tran a few times a year, because they're one of the few airlines to offer direct flights from our city to her parent's city. Their program is awful. Points expire exactly 1 year after you earn them, regardless of whether or not you've flown with them in that time.

US Airways' program is pretty good for upgrades, but I usually end up using my United account when I fly with them.

I think the main concern is what partnerships your airline has. I like Star Alliance because of the options that it gives me in accumulating and using points. If you are on United, U.S. Air, or Continental, you can also fly and accumulate points on things like Air Canada, Lufthansa, British Midland, Turkish, Swiss, Air New Zealand, Ansett, Singapore, Asiana, Thai, SAS, etc, etc. This also means use of their business class lounges, and other perks. As this is the biggest alliance, it is the one that I go for. I am Super Elite on Air Canada, so I do travel a lot, and am going to be cashing in on pleasure travel on a number of airlines as a result.