How many active frequent flyer memberships do you have?

[dajop]

Just curious to see how many frequent flyer programs AFF members actively participate in. By active - I mean as a rule of thumb you have enough points balance to redeem for awards (just airline programs - not including credit cards). Also, this definition would not include FF programs where you took that 1 flight 3 years ago and earned 1,256 pts but need 20,000 to make the first award booking.

 

[knoxd]

G'day, I have 6 active cards that all have miles..

QFF
UA
Airfrance
Emarates
Air Canada
REX

And of course I still have an Ansett card somewhere in the house..

and of course
Virgin and
Virgin Atlantic...

But these two have no miles..

Only QFF has status.. the others are all at the lowest level..
Had these for a few years.. only had one or two flights every couple of months for a few years before i joined QFF in '03...

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Several of my cards have status. Some others were done to take advantage of generous promos. Other than possibly picking up a sky team FFP I think I'll cut out a couple.

 

[oz_mark]

QF, SQ, and MH active here.

And a little collection of dormant or inactive cards!

 

[QF WP]

Hmmm, active ones (and enough to get award from):

QF (Plat)
NW (Plat)

Others (active from time-to-time):

UA (Was Gold, but now base)
SQ (always base)
AA (base)

Also have BA Exec Club (for the OLCI benefit, would never credit any flight there)

 

[DPG]

Also have BA Exec Club (for the OLCI benefit, would never credit any flight there)

Lindsay, please ignore my ignorance, but what is the OLCI benefit?

D P G

 

[Mal]

OLCI would most likely stand for "On-line Check-In"

https://www.britishairways.com/checkin/ciLogin.jsp

 

[JohnK]

I have enough points accumulated in the QF and SQ ffp's to redeem awards.

Interested to know whether anyone has enough points in their Velocity ff account yet to redeem an award flight :?: And to keep in the spirit of the OP only include points earned from flights not from credit cards.

 

[QF WP]

Lindsay, please ignore my ignorance, but what is the OLCI benefit?D P G

As Mal advised. Very handy when you are flying BA, as you can check-in up to 24 hours before departure (and possibly get better seats assigned, if you were initially unlucky).

 

[dajop]

Interested to know whether anyone has enough points in their Velocity ff account yet to redeem an award flight :?: And to keep in the spirit of the OP only include points earned from flights not from credit cards.

I'm getting close to a MEL-LST one way after my 3 DJ flights last week. And as a result of Velocity & the better leg room in the "suit zone", they've sold me on the one QF flight I regularly do take, but hate taking (late afternoon CBR-MEL).

Back on topic, my foray into DJ was the reason I asked the question, as I already have redeemable balances in QF, NZ & SQ , and I was thinking here I go again with DJ! Just wondered whether anyone else was doing the same. I guess having been burnt once (global rewards), it seema good to diversify if at all possible (WP renewal not withstanding!).

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I think it is useful having more than one FFP - as you say diversify the risk a bit.

Sometimes have no reasonable choice but to take an airline that is not a partner of preferred FFP. In those cases, I'd rather get some miles than none.

Another factor is ease of getting awards. May be worth having a reasonable balance in more than one FFP if awards you want to take are hard to get. If have choice of two programs to redeem from it increases the chance of getting what you want.

However a harder question is whether to accumulate a lot on multiple cards. If fly enough that can get useful status (as opposed to getting silver in each) on several FFPs then that can come in handy - particularly if not in the same alliance. However if only fly enough to get status in one FFP then it is definitely worthwhile concentrating on that one.

 

[QF WP]

As you say Kiwi Flyer, diversification amongst FF programs is important, not only personally but within family unit.

That's one reason why Mrs LW (when she dropped from QF Partner Gold to Silver); then was convinced to take an AA Plat Challenge 18 months ago. We though we might be going to USA this year, so was worth doing.

Now we have been able to use her AA Plat status and points to upgrade our AA sectors (and use my QF status to do the same with our QF flights), it's worked out very well.

Totally agree with your last paragraph - but many people are driven more by cost than understanding that by flying with the airlines of one alliance will mean climbing status (and then receiving benefits). Of course, it depends on where you are based and where you need to fly to.

 

[Damien]

QF
9W
SQ

in that order.

 

[BlacKnox]

Have redeemable balances in NH, JL & BR.

 

[sully]

QFF Gold is my OW membership and the most used. Plat is never a chance for me from where I sit in the bus.

*A flights accrue on UA simply because when I travelled on Emirates a few years ago I was able to earn on its program. I have never flown UA but have had 2 points related flights on other *A carriers (TG and NZ).

Worldperks is covered by Northwest which has also provided the family (all 5 members) with a trip to Europe last year.

All bases are largely covered for me.

Flybuys doesn't count even though I can probably get a six-pack of cheap plonk with my points accrued.

 

[sully]

Lindsay, re the OLCI. I wasn't aware that you had to be a member of BA to use this. I'm not and have simply used this option when flying on BA as a QF member. Just enter the IATA code and there you are.

 

[tuapekastar]

Lindsay, re the OLCI. I wasn't aware that you had to be a member of BA to use this. I'm not and have simply used this option when flying on BA as a QF member. Just enter the IATA code and there you are.

Sully, have you been able to OLCI as described prior to Sep this year?

It appears, from the e-mail I received below upon "registering" to ba.com (and IIRC I registered specifically for OLCI) that at some time in the recent past you had to be either a BAEC member, or registered to the BA website to be able to avail yourslef of OLCI. As per e-mail below, received Sep 2005 when I registered. The emphasis is mine.

Dear Mr tuapekastar

PLEASE NOTE: This is an automated email, so we are unable to reply.

Welcome to British Airways online

Your password is: nnnn

Now you can now start to enjoy your exclusive online services and access the most up-to-date travel information available such as:

- News and offers emailed straight to your inbox
- Easier online booking as your details are saved in memory
- Check-in online within 24 hours of flight departure time
- Update your details so you receive the most relevant information from us

To get the most from British Airways online, please remember to enter your user name and password next time you visit. That way you can be sure you are up-to-date with the latest news, offers and information from British Airways.

We look forward to welcoming you as a frequent visitor to our web site.

British Airways

However I just snooped around the BA website today and it appears everyone can now use OLCI without being registered. The emphasis in this case is BA's, possibly indicating a recent change in policy?

Please note: Customers may use this facility to check-in online for their flight, without the need to register on ba.com first.

 

[QF WP]

Sully, I (re-)joined BAEC in August 2003 - back when you had 24 hour window if BAEC member and only 12 hours if you weren't. I wanted a 12 hour jump on some to get the best possible seat (but still well ahead of the uninitiated and the masses).

At some later stage, BA opened up the 24 hour window to anybody who registered for OLCI. That took away the advantage of being a BAEC member.