There are some factors to consider when choosing a frequent flyer programme: it should reflect your needs and be tailored to your flying habits. It is worth spending some time on researching your options before committing yourself to one programme.
Where do you fly from?
Your departure airport could influence your choice as flying options from London or New York are different to those from Manchester or Boston. Make sure the airline you want to choose operates from your local airport and to destinations you are interested in.
As an example*, say you frequently fly from London Heathrow to New York JFK. You have a variety of options as the airlines operating a direct flight include Delta, American, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Air France and more.
- If you choose Delta’s SkyMiles programme, you will earn 6,904 miles** (based on the distance flown) and you need 60,000 miles + from £358.71 to pay for taxes, fees and charges (not included in your allowance)
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club will give you 6,916 miles for a return flight and you need 35,000 miles for a return flight from London to New York + from £332.45 to £398.94 to pay for taxes, fees and surcharges (not included in your free miles).
- Air France’s Flying Blue earns you 3,458 miles (one way or 6,916 return) and you need 50,000 miles for a return London – New York flight.
* Based on the cheapest fare for an economy flight on the lowest tier/ basic level of frequent flyer programme for selected flights
** Delta is changing its rules from January 2015: the same flight will earn you 2,350 miles based on a ticket priced at £800 (calculated to US dollars)
Which airlines do you want to fly with?
Departure airport, destinations of interest to you, flight upgrades and method of earning your air miles could all be a factor in choosing the airline you want to form an affiliation with.
Think about where you fly to most frequently and if there are any airlines that you use more often than others as there is usually a reason why you choose them regularly (convenience, ticket prices, comfort etc.).
Remember that most airlines are part of one of the airline alliances and you will benefit from that affiliation as well so it is worth comparing them.
Check carefully what the benefits are and what are their limitations. If you live in the UK, choosing a US-based operator might make it tricky to redeem your awards: for example Delta’s partnership with Enterprise car rental is only available in the US or Canada.
If you are based in the US on the other hand, the British Airways Executive Club’s short haul offers only apply in Europe and Southern Africa and may not be useful to you.
What do you want to use air miles on?
Redeeming your miles on air travel is the most obvious choice but there is much more to a frequent flyer programme than free flights or upgrades.
Check who partners with the airline: if it is car rental companies, hotels or shops, it will increase your options for ways to earn and spend your miles.
Make sure you know how many miles you need for the benefits or upgrades you want and how easy it is to earn them.
Your rewards vary depending on the airline and can include flights, car rental, hotel stays, shopping, flight upgrades or donating your miles to charity.
- Lufthansa’s Miles & More Programme, which is one of the biggest ones in Europe, allows you to redeem your points on car rental from up to 5,200 locations with companies such as Avis, Budget, Europcar and Sixt.
- If you want to donate miles to charity, United gives you a wide range of organisations to choose from but there is a minimum of 500 miles per donation. Click here for the full list of charities.
- Most airlines will also allow you to spend your miles on other partner airlines’ flights, for example Qantas partners with 21 airlines, 10 of which are through an airline alliance.
How do you want to collect air miles?
If you are only interested in collecting your miles through flying, then most carriers are an option but vary in terms of how many miles you earn per flight.
If you don’t fly often or far enough to collect the necessary amount and would prefer to earn your miles through using your credit card, shopping or eating in restaurants, then you need to do a bit of research and find the best options for you.
- With Virgin Atlantic you can earn your miles buy using Tesco Clubcard to pay for your shopping (although exclusions apply on tobacco, prescription medications etc., check website for details)
- Qantas offers you an opportunity of earning points if you book a table at one of the hundreds of partner restaurants across Australia.
- If you open the Lufthansa Miles & More Account you will receive 2 credit cards: American Express and Visa, both linked to the same account and increasing your chances to collect more miles through paying with your cards. Unfortunately, they are only available in the UK.
Shop around and make an informed choice but remember: you can participate in more than one programme!
Image by Angelo De Santis
