OK, I admit it. I’m not part of any frequent flyer program. For someone who is such an avid traveler, it’s probably a little shocking to hear but, I have good reasons. I’ve always been more concerned with price than brand loyalty, so I switch networks and carriers all the time. The lowest price always wins. Moreover, I use a Citibank Premier Pass Credit Card- a great card for frequent travelers. I get tons of miles on every flight booked on the card (even if I’m not the one flying), free companion tickets, and bonus miles. Moreover, I can use those miles on any airline I choose. Since I got the card in 2005, I’ve recieved a free flight to Europe and $500 dollars back. Not bad for not even using the card in 2007.
But with my next journey beginning in five weeks, as well as realizing I’ll be taking a lot of international flights next year, I decided it was time to bit the bullet and join a program. Another reason I’ve never really done it before was because all my favorite carriers are spread out over different alliances. Japan Airlines (JAL) is on the Oneworld network, while Singapore is on Star Alliance. Malaysia Airlines does their own thing, and I’m partial to Air France/KLM. Emirates Airline, the carrier that makes me salivate, isn’t on any of these networks.
A Quick Note on Airline Alliances
All airlines code share and partner with each other to create global networks. For example, American Airlines can’t fly everywhere, so they partner with other airlines to get to those places. Hence, most companies are part of a network. There’s two major airline networks: Oneworld and Star Alliance. (There are a few smaller, regional ones, but for the global traveler, these are the two that matter.)
Oneworld members include: American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines (JAL), LAN, Malev, Qantas, Royal Jordanian.
Star Alliance members include: Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, THAI Air, Turkish Airlines, United, US Airways.
Picking One
While sitting in Heathrow Airport last month and being totally annoyed by its inconvenience, I decided joining a rewards program would bring me one thing I’ve always wanted: an airline lounge. Airline lounges are often unreachable for the coach flier, but if you are in a rewards program, you can usually get in for free (top tier needed) or at a heavily discounted price. I decided that with my increased flying, it only makes logical sense to join a frequent flyer program.
Now, I have to pick which alliance I want to tether myself to so I can enjoy the perks:
Star Alliance has a few pro’s: Singapore Airlines, SAS, and Air New Zealand. Plus, Lufthansa isn’t bad. But it has two major cons: United Airlines and Air Canada. Both Airlines are AWFUL. In fact, I recently flew Air Canada to England, and it was one of the worst overseas experiences I’ve ever had. (I’m not alone either: check out this group.)
Oneworld is a bit better. It has JAL, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas. It also has American Airlines, and I refuse to fly them after a bad experience with them a few years ago and their recent problems with safety.
Emirates, my all time favorite, is part of no network but code shares JAL, a member of Oneworld. However, because I am American, it’s easier to join AA and use them than join the JAL program, since AA doesn’t codeshare with Emirates.
The Winner Is…
After reviewing the code share arrangements thoroughly, I decided to partner with the Oneworld Alliance. It may have less carriers than Star Alliance, but it has more of my favorite airlines. I could join the JAL program and use that to fly with Air France or Emirates since I am based out of America, have an American credit card, and work in dollars. But it is simply easier to join the AA rewards program and use that to get onto JAL. While that means I can’t get Emirates miles and I’ll have to fly American every so often, at least I’ll eventually get to fly business class on JAL. That makes everything worth it.
The most important part of picking an alliance is not choosing the one with the most airlines, but choosing the one that has the airlines you like. None of these alliances offer it all, but if you won’t fly half the airlines on one alliance, don’t pick it- even if your favorite is there. To join one of these alliances, you simply need to join the frequent flyer program of your favorite airline. Then enter that number whenever you book with one of there partners!
Hi Matt,
I’m with American, (my work flies with them alot) and they do suck. They’ve stranded me 2X at a diverted airport because of engine trouble and stuck me on a bus to my destination.
I didn’t know you could sign up with OneWorld directly, I should look into that… good tip!
Im with a local frequent flier group ..not yet in an international flier group..maybe I should travel abroad more often..
Lakshmi
Christine,
You can’t get Oneworld points but your AA miles can be used on any of the one world partners. So picking one, gets you them all.
I’m picking JAL because besides Oneworld carriers I can also get Emirates and Air France
-Matt
I agree I am more concerned about quality and price not brand loyalty because the airlines are not loyal to me the consumer.
Matt, you might want to consider SkyTeam Alliance. Here is the link: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/company/alliance/default.aspx?SID=4521A2E4A11046ED82FB97A444E970B2 .
I fly Continental all the time for work and pleasure, and believe that of the big airlines, they are the best. They treat frequent fliers with respect and offer nice perks like actual food, and automatic upgrades on domestic flights according to your status etc. The SkyTeam Alliance has lots of partners including Emirates and KLM.
I am loyal to the Continental brand as much as possible since they do take care of me. Most of the time, their domestic flights are the same or maybe 5 dollars more. International can be all over the place as I’m sure you know!
Amy
I forgot to mention – I’ve paid personally for a President’s Club membership for years now, and it is a great investment in sanity and peace. Usually there are also simple snacks like cheese and crackers, apples, toast and english muffins in the morning. And free wifi. I pay about $250 a year but get it all back (and more) on the food and wifi.
Amy
I can’t help but think that you are missing out on some MAJOR, MAJOR bonus miles. I am an avid mileage hog, and I have to say, having accounts with the airlines directly always nets me TWICE the miles as going with one major program or a credit card program. I say this because with the appropriate credit card, you get miles for every $ you spend when shopping and booking flights. But, if you have that airlines mileage program, you get all those same points AGAIN. Plus, you get extra bonus points when shopping in grocery stores or at gas stations. Then, you get better deals on flights.
For example, my favorite airline mileage program is United. They have the “Online Mall” where you can get up to 10 points per $1 for shopping there with ANY credit card. You also get points for registering and using a grocery “Club” card like Pavilions/Safeway/Vons, and the same for Dining. Then, I also use the Citibank Flex Points card when purchasing, so I get an additional 10 Points per dollar just for grocery shopping. To top it off, in the off season, I can book a flight for as little as 13K miles…it’s 25K miles any other time, or through Citibank. So, I accumulate the miles and the free trips faster just because I have their mileage program directly.
Lastly, although I openly admit to never having heard of these mileage programs (and thus WILL be checking them out), many of the airlines let you swap miles between carriers just for being one of their people. So, I share my miles between accounts without signing up for a bigger mileage company.