Comments on: Joining a Frequent Flyer Program http://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/joining-a-frequent-flier-club/ Nomadic Matt's Travel Site Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:02:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: NomadicMatthttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/joining-a-frequent-flier-club/#comment-211513 NomadicMatt Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:13:12 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/archives/126#comment-211513 No. Air Canada is part of the Star Alliance. No. Air Canada is part of the Star Alliance.

]]> By: abdesignhttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/joining-a-frequent-flier-club/#comment-210196 abdesign Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:23:57 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/archives/126#comment-210196 Is Oneworld Alliance great for Canadian? Is Oneworld Alliance great for Canadian?

]]> By: NomadicMatthttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/joining-a-frequent-flier-club/#comment-178529 NomadicMatt Sat, 10 Dec 2011 02:50:11 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/archives/126#comment-178529 They changed the rules this year and capped it at 40,000 miles. They changed the rules this year and capped it at 40,000 miles.

]]> By: Georgehttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/joining-a-frequent-flier-club/#comment-177509 George Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:19:00 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/archives/126#comment-177509 Also, I should mention the best club for miles I have found is US Airways that has many big promotions through the year where you can make 100,000+ miles and even buy more at 50% discount. Also, I should mention the best club for miles I have found is US Airways that has many big promotions through the year where you can make 100,000+ miles and even buy more at 50% discount.

]]> By: Georgehttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/joining-a-frequent-flier-club/#comment-177508 George Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:15:49 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/archives/126#comment-177508 Really I believe for most people Star Alliance is the best option, worldwide. Also I agree that buying a club membership is a great thing. My US Airways Membership gets me into United/Continental Clubs, even when I am not flying a Star Alliance airline and when I am, they get you into lounges worldwide. Its nice to have a shower, free drinks and a nice bite to eat. It should be noted that anyone with status with an American based airline club, can not use the airline clubs domestically, thus the club memberships are a good deal. If not I would concider a forign clubs such as BMI to get Star Gold status to use in the USA Really I believe for most people Star Alliance is the best option, worldwide. Also I agree that buying a club membership is a great thing. My US Airways Membership gets me into United/Continental Clubs, even when I am not flying a Star Alliance airline and when I am, they get you into lounges worldwide. Its nice to have a shower, free drinks and a nice bite to eat. It should be noted that anyone with status with an American based airline club, can not use the airline clubs domestically, thus the club memberships are a good deal. If not I would concider a forign clubs such as BMI to get Star Gold status to use in the USA

]]> By: NomadicMatthttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/joining-a-frequent-flier-club/#comment-60769 NomadicMatt Thu, 14 Oct 2010 01:07:53 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/archives/126#comment-60769 You sure can and I do! However, if you don't fly a lot, it's better to stick to one alliance for maximum rewards. You sure can and I do! However, if you don’t fly a lot, it’s better to stick to one alliance for maximum rewards.

]]> By: Aliciahttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/joining-a-frequent-flier-club/#comment-60611 Alicia Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:26:26 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/archives/126#comment-60611 Can't you sign up for BOTH OneAlliance & Star Alliance?? Can’t you sign up for BOTH OneAlliance & Star Alliance??

]]> By: Talia Clarehttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/joining-a-frequent-flier-club/#comment-6516 Talia Clare Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:58:43 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/archives/126#comment-6516 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. 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.

]]> By: AmyEmiliahttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/joining-a-frequent-flier-club/#comment-573 AmyEmilia Sun, 25 May 2008 12:40:00 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/archives/126#comment-573 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.<br/>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

]]> By: AmyEmiliahttp://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/joining-a-frequent-flier-club/#comment-572 AmyEmilia Sun, 25 May 2008 12:37:00 +0000 http://www.nomadicmatt.com/archives/126#comment-572 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 . <br/><br/>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. <br/><br/>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! <br/><br/>Amy 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

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