F.F. advice

[stubborn peke]

Being an infrequent flyer(once a year) need advice for reward points.

We currently have Aeroplan (14K) AA'(3K nearly used up) and Miles & More Miles(5K).

 

April 2011 for our Med cruise flew LH YVR-BCN-VCE-YVR class V&Q all miles transfer to Aeroplan.

 

This year again flew LH SEA-FCO-YVR class L&K , was not eligible to transfer mile to Aeroplan , signed up for their Miles program at 50% (5K).

 

Planning next Spring cruise to Canary Island with post cruise to Dubai. hence a lot of flying miles.

 

There is a vast range of economy fare, I like LH good service, food & comfort of the Airbus 380 with the 2 seats also the schedules and time are ideal.

 

The points are not transferable on class T&L and only 50% for Miles & More Miles , have to earn a lot of points for any reward.

 

LH fare is about 3200 for 2. other airlines about 6-700 more with longer travelling time. Also not sure if all miles are credit for AA flights and code share with BA, as AA schedule mile listed for AA but no mile shown when operated by BA.

 

What is the beat approach?

 

Thanks for any advice.

[ducklite]

With very limited flight options to your destination, you might be too late to book FF seats at this point, let alone by the time you have acquired the miles you need. I would look into,availability before you go any further.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

[Gardyloo]

Not sure I understand the question. Sounds like, "We flying to the Canary Islands for a cruise, then flying to Dubai after, then flying home. What airline/FF plan should we use?"

 

Is that right? Does your Canary Island cruise originate in the Canaries or somewhere else, and if so, where? Or does it end in the Canaries (perhaps starting in Florida?)

 

Then, "On Lufthansa the charge will be $3200 for two, the others $600-$700 more."

 

Is that all in? We need to know more about the detailed itinerary (Vancouver - Canaries, Canaries - Dubai, Dubai - Vancouver?) and the dates.

[stubborn peke]

My apology for being unclear on my posting.

 

Planning next year cruise, most likely Mar 19 -28 NCL Spirit to the Canary Island embarki/ disembark in Barcelona, after cruise flying to Dubai for 4-5 days then home to Vancouver , the UAE has recently remove the requirement of a expensive Visa for Canadian, which helps .

 

We will be buying the airline tickets with credit card, there is no reward point being used.

 

We live in YVR, but SEA is only 150 miles south and it is usually lest expensive to fly from SEA , saving are substantial.

 

LH fares for SEA-FRA-BCN, BCN-MUC-DXB,DXB-MUC-YVR is about 3200usd for 2 however travel class T&L does not allow points to be transfer to Aeroplan.

Rewards points credit are at 50% for Mile & More Miles

 

AA and BA fares are about 6 to 7 hundred dollars more.

 

Was seeking advice on best approach for collecting FF pts. for this travel and which airline.

 

Thank you, I hope this added info help, if more info needed will provide.

[Gardyloo]

Using ITA I can see a fare on American out of Seattle for US$1534 all in, SEA-xJFK-BCN-xLHR-DXB-xLHR-SEA with your dates (or close to them.) All but the first and second flights are actually on BA metal, but with AA flight numbers as codeshares. (By the way, the little "x" means "connection" in airport parlance.)

 

You'd earn 18,607 redeemable AA (or Alaska) miles per person with this itinerary. These aren't transferable to Aeroplan or M&M (different alliance) but can be used on American, Alaska airlines up and down the coast, or on Westjet wherever they go.

[FlyerTalker]

OP: Difficult question when posed in your fashion. Not a knock on you, but we need details in a workable form.

 

Try replacing items in ALL CAPS with details here and we'll see what we can do:

 

My intended flights are:

 

Flight #1 AAA to BBB Date MM/DD/YY Date is FIXED/VARIABLE

Flight #2 CCC to DDD Date MM/DD/YY Date is FIXED/VARIABLE

Flight #3 EEE to FFF Date MM/DD/YY Date is FIXED/VARIABLE

(continue as needed)

 

The airline we most use for other travel is XXX.

 

We currently have miles/points in AAA/AMOUNT, BBB/AMOUNT, CCC/AMOUNT (and so forth)

 

We earn miles/points from credit card and other spending into XXX.

 

Our primary goal in earning points is XXX. (Be specific...are you looking for North America or intercontinental, coach or business/first, anything else)

 

 

That should provide some of the framework for an answer. Your goals are important, because you want to earn to reach them. Your current and future earnings are important to avoid "orphan" miles. You itinerary will help to focus on operational options.

 

Hopefully you understand.

[stubborn peke]

OP: Difficult question when posed in your fashion. Not a knock on you, but we need details in a workable form.

 

Try replacing items in ALL CAPS with details here and we'll see what we can do:

 

My intended flights are:

 

Flight #1 AAA to BBB Date MM/DD/YY Date is FIXED/VARIABLE

Flight #2 CCC to DDD Date MM/DD/YY Date is FIXED/VARIABLE

Flight #3 EEE to FFF Date MM/DD/YY Date is FIXED/VARIABLE

(continue as needed)

 

The airline we most use for other travel is XXX.

 

We currently have miles/points in AAA/AMOUNT, BBB/AMOUNT, CCC/AMOUNT (and so forth)

 

We earn miles/points from credit card and other spending into XXX.

 

Our primary goal in earning points is XXX. (Be specific...are you looking for North America or intercontinental, coach or business/first, anything else)

 

 

That should provide some of the framework for an answer. Your goals are important, because you want to earn to reach them. Your current and future earnings are important to avoid "orphan" miles. You itinerary will help to focus on operational options.

 

Hopefully you understand.

 

No problem, thanks for your time and patience, appreciate the education, never too late to learn even at my age (senior)

 

Want to fly:

 

SEA TO BCN MAR 16/14

BCN TO DXB MAR 28/14

DXB TO YVR APR 02/14

 

Cruise NCL Norwegian Spirit Canary Island Barcelona to Barcelona Mar 19th to Mar 28. would like a late morning flight to DXB to allow time for disembark, travel to airport.

 

Being an infrequent flyer have not collect too may points.

 

Aeroplan 14k, AA Advantage only 3k leftover.

 

LH Miles & More Miles 5300 received this year for return trip to Rome as travel class not transferable and only 50% on miles, I guess this is consider "Orphan Miles"

 

I have a Royal Bank Avioner Credit Card , had it only 2 yrs. only about 40k pts. can at time transfer with a bonus to AA & BA.

 

Travel twice to Europe on Luthansa and about 4/5 trips on AA( couple trips on AA with FF) 3 yrs ago China Eastern To Shanghai Hong Kong ( no points)

 

My goal is to collect meaningful points for North America travel , for future cruises.

 

Thank you.

[stubborn peke]

Using ITA I can see a fare on American out of Seattle for US$1534 all in, SEA-xJFK-BCN-xLHR-DXB-xLHR-SEA with your dates (or close to them.) All but the first and second flights are actually on BA metal, but with AA flight numbers as codeshares. (By the way, the little "x" means "connection" in airport parlance.)

 

You'd earn 18,607 redeemable AA (or Alaska) miles per person with this itinerary. These aren't transferable to Aeroplan or M&M (different alliance) but can be used on American, Alaska airlines up and down the coast, or on Westjet wherever they go.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

That's a good price

 

Will the points on BA metal be credited to our AA account?

 

How are the flights times?

[Gardyloo]

Thanks for the info.

 

That's a good price

 

Will the points on BA metal be credited to our AA account?

 

How are the flights times?

Yes, the BA flights will earn full AA credit (you'll actually be flying an AA flight number, so no need to worry about BA booking classes.)

 

Morning departure from SEA, short connection at JFK (an easy transfer, same terminal.) Connection times at LHR will depend on which departures you take from BCN and DXB. The LHR-SEA arrives in early afternoon, plenty of time to get back up the freeway, or to catch the QuickCoach. You'd have to spend the night before the JFK flight in Seattle; owing to the time change the early morning flight gets to Kennedy in the late afternoon, probably an hour or 90 min. before the BCN flight departs.

[FlyerTalker]

Unless you have a strong reason to be earning on Aeroplan, I'd be concurring on the judgement to use the AA codeshares on BA metal. Aeroplan has a big disadvantage in that miles expire after 7 years from earning, so it's not a plan for banking miles over time. Your AA account will give you more time to accumulate miles. And from your description of flying to cruise ports, it's not like you are going to be doing a lot of intra-Canada flights.

 

At some point, you are going to have to do something about those 14k in Aeroplan. Depending on their expiration timeframe, you will either need to 1) add enough to get you some redemption from Aeroplan, or 2) write them off as "orphans" and let them expire in due course. Not sure if you can have some way to top off that account without flying, but be aware of that expiration factor.

 

Now....if those miles won't expire for another 6 years, then perhaps it's worth flying on a Star Alliance carrier to be able to credit to Aeroplan. But that's a decision you have to make regarding your future uses.

 

Note that there is never any one "right" answer in the FF game. Much depends on individual circumstance and goals. Since you can easily fly from SEA, AA is a quite reasonable place to have as your preferred program. Further, the AS partnership works in that favor.

 

Good luck and have fun. And thanks for the clear picture on what you want to do.

[stubborn peke]

Yes, the BA flights will earn full AA credit (you'll actually be flying an AA flight number, so no need to worry about BA booking classes.)

 

Morning departure from SEA, short connection at JFK (an easy transfer, same terminal.) Connection times at LHR will depend on which departures you take from BCN and DXB. The LHR-SEA arrives in early afternoon, plenty of time to get back up the freeway, or to catch the QuickCoach. You'd have to spend the night before the JFK flight in Seattle; owing to the time change the early morning flight gets to Kennedy in the late afternoon, probably an hour or 90 min. before the BCN flight departs.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

The price and schedule are very attractive, just waiting to book the cruise.

[stubborn peke]

Unless you have a strong reason to be earning on Aeroplan, I'd be concurring on the judgement to use the AA codeshares on BA metal. Aeroplan has a big disadvantage in that miles expire after 7 years from earning, so it's not a plan for banking miles over time. Your AA account will give you more time to accumulate miles. And from your description of flying to cruise ports, it's not like you are going to be doing a lot of intra-Canada flights.

 

At some point, you are going to have to do something about those 14k in Aeroplan. Depending on their expiration timeframe, you will either need to 1) add enough to get you some redemption from Aeroplan, or 2) write them off as "orphans" and let them expire in due course. Not sure if you can have some way to top off that account without flying, but be aware of that expiration factor.

 

Now....if those miles won't expire for another 6 years, then perhaps it's worth flying on a Star Alliance carrier to be able to credit to Aeroplan. But that's a decision you have to make regarding your future uses.

 

Note that there is never any one "right" answer in the FF game. Much depends on individual circumstance and goals. Since you can easily fly from SEA, AA is a quite reasonable place to have as your preferred program. Further, the AS partnership works in that favor.

 

Good luck and have fun. And thanks for the clear picture on what you want to do.

 

I thank you for your for all your advice.

 

For Aeroplan will currently be no problem in keeping it active, as purchasing gas at the Imperial Esso station has reward points credit to the account.

 

Next spring plan trip will be a big boost to our AA advantage account.

 

The points with LH will unfortunately just expire, but enjoy flying with them ,very good food and service.

 

I just have another two question, in future if flying from YVR To HKG and return with Cathay Pacific , on their lowest fare , any way for point for AA?

 

Final question , your from the Pacific North West, do you watch Dragnet on KVOS?

[FlyerTalker]

For Aeroplan will currently be no problem in keeping it active, as purchasing gas at the Imperial Esso station has reward points credit to the account.

Good....I just checked and found that Aeroplan ditched their "seven year" expiration policy a few months ago. Don't fly them, so I am not fully up to date. Good plus for you!!

I just have another two question, in future if flying from YVR To HKG and return with Cathay Pacific , on their lowest fare , any way for point for AA?

I think I should defer to a oneWorld expert here, who may have more knowledge.

Final question , your from the Pacific North West, do you watch Dragnet on KVOS?

Actually, more a fan of Mr Lucky, Peter Gunn and Naked City. But occasionally, I'll surf to "we were working the day watch out of Burglary...the captain's name is...."

[Gardyloo]

I just have another two question, in future if flying from YVR To HKG and return with Cathay Pacific , on their lowest fare , any way for point for AA?

Depends on the booking code; most deep-discount CX economy buckets don't earn AA miles. http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/earnMiles/travel/airlines/cathayPacific.jsp

 

If you could get down to SFO you could use an AA codeshare on CX metal, which would earn AA points.

 

AA will start flying DFW-HKG with its own planes next year.

[Gardyloo]

If you're going to be in the Middle East next year and are thinking about Asia later, an off-the-wall idea might be for you to investigate round-the-world (RTW) tickets, originating in Israel, Jordan or Egypt, all of which are comparatively "cheap" places to start/finish business class RTWs. (Prices vary hugely from one country to the next - Egypt, for example, is about half the cost of a comparable ticket bought in the US or Canada.)

 

For around $6000 (I know, sticker shock, but wait...) you can buy a 16-flight RTW ticket in business class covering three continents (Europe, North America, Asia.) The ticket is good for a year and includes, in addition to the intercontinental flights, up to four flights within Europe and Asia, and six within North America (including the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.) So with one ticket you could, say, start in the Middle East, then fly home and go to work or whatever, then later fly someplace in North America - maybe the Caribbean for a cruise, or Alaska? Or New York and Florida? - and then go off to Asia (ride business class on Cathay - very nice.) Then finish the trip in Europe before ending back in the Middle East (which is considered as "Europe" for the terms of this ticket.)

 

$6K is a lot of money, but it works out to $375 per business- or first-class flight on some quality airlines. You'll also earn enough frequent flyer miles (at least 50,000, sometimes closer to 100,000) that you can fly on miles for much of another year, or longer. Or at a minimum you'll have enough to get home when the ticket ends back in the Middle East.

 

For almost 10 years I've been buying these puppies and leveraging a lot of very enjoyable travel out of them. For me, I fly on the RTW ticket for one year, then the miles (usually in first/business class) for several flights the following year, rinse and repeat. My running average is around $225 - $250 all in per business/first class flight, when you add in the "award" flights I "earned" through the RTW flying.

 

Complicated subject, and it requires a bit of advance "strategic" travel planning - thinking about next year or the year after, but it's very doable, surprisingly affordable, and... fun.