Please post in here if you're a frequent flyer to the USA

Jono

Jono

Jono

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As subject.

I want to get all the air miles I can. Virgin is stupidly expensive, apparently, so I'm stuck with KLM/Flying Blue (Do they share routes with Delta?) or BA (Do they share routes with United?) / BA Executive club.

Internally in the USA I think there's only really Alaskan Airlines or whatever they're called, and I don't think they're part of any joint club whatsit.

But from England - it's either NCL / MCR > LHR > SFO/PDX (or equivalent domestic train to London)
OR NCL > AMS > SFO/PDX

Which type of air miles go the most.... er, miles? It looks like I've got several trips for each 3 months of the year lined up... but I'll only be flying cattle class because my company hates me.
 
How much do you value comfort? My point being perhaps the airline with the best frequent flyer benefits have the worst cattle class?

I can't give you an answer because I'm not in the position to get business trips. My company must hate me more :p
 
KLM code share with BA afaik. I've always found KLM reasonable enough. (Not sure of anything in regards to air miles though).
 
I would go for BA simply because the air miles you accrue will be of the most use if you live in the UK.

The problem you'll face is that you won't build many tier points flying economy. The available reward flights will be pretty limited unless you're willing to book as soon as the seats become available.

Every time I've been on a BA code share in the states, it's been with American Airlines. Not the greatest airline but none of the US airlines are great. You can definitely build BA air miles on American Airlines flights though.
 
Tunney said:
The problem you'll face is that you won't build many tier points flying economy.
Click to expand...

If he's buying full fare economy tickets then he'll make Silver in four transatlantic round trips that include a domestic leg. But yeah might struggle to get past bronze without some personal flying.
 
Your best bet is to fly with BA and join Exec club.

As others have said, flying Economy, it will take you a long time to earn any status with anyone.

  • KLM/ Flying Blue are very stingy as a frequent flyer program
  • Virgin Flying Club do not offer any lounge access until Gold status
  • Most of the US airlines suck
  • BA is 'OK' on the stinginess front, and Reward Flight Saver is amazing! Plus a decent USA route network, an OK Economy cabin, and high frequency of service. You can also leverage US Airlines AND American Airlines' route network in the USA for miles accrual.

Flying from Newcastle, getting down to LHR with BA and then on to the US will earn you extra miles too. I would pick BA as my airline of choice, no contest. Also sometimes they do cheap on-the-day paid upgrades to Word Traveller Plus (Premium Economy). This can be worthwhile if the price is low enough, as you get a much comfier journey, Business Class main course, and a big bonus on miles/ tier points.

Also take out a BA credit card and earn miles on your expenditure too! I can give you a referral link that gives you a larger signup bonus if you like.
 
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Ooh, i feel like a rebel for posting in this thread coz i'm not a frequent flyer to the US :D
 
I always fly BA Club First or Club World for work between NY and LHR a couple of times a month, Avios points are good and it's much better if you have an Avios credit card too in order to collect all the extra points.
 
I used to fly long haul regularly. Not always to the states, but often to far flung destinations regardless.

I found none of the carriers to give me particularly good points when flying economy.

I also found BA hard to level up with. Whereas KLM I could level up relatively easy. I had been silver for a while which gives lounge access.

An other option, when flying KLM is to sign up for their "petroleum club". Pick an oilfied company and say you work for them. Then when you get your card through, it gives you most of the same advantages as a silver member. So that's lounge access, second free check-in bag, business class check-in etc... And you can do it before taking your first flight. So straight away you get these benefits rather than waiting to level up for them.

I actually prefer to fly KLM over BA, but that's probably a LOT to do with the lounge access, and the fact that I much prefer AMS as an airport to LHR.
 
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