Jon the Hat Posted 24 September 2013 Posted 24 September 2013 Shite. My BA exec club downgraded to Bronze so I don't get the lounge anymore, all because air Malaysia joined one world about a week after I flew LHR To K L then Sydney in January. I keep having to fly different airlines and missing out as a result. Pain in the arse.
Rincewind Posted 24 September 2013 Posted 24 September 2013 Can you exchange Airmiles for food vouchers?
Jon the Hat Posted 24 September 2013 Posted 24 September 2013 Unless you are flying somewhere Ken I wouldn't worry about it.
Guest MattP Posted 24 September 2013 Posted 24 September 2013 Shite. My BA exec club downgraded to Bronze so I don't get the lounge anymore, all because air Malaysia joined one world about a week after I flew LHR To K L then Sydney in January. I keep having to fly different airlines and missing out as a result. Pain in the arse. Frustrating. I'm flying on "Croatia Airlines Business Class" in December so I'll see how that goes
Guesty Posted 25 September 2013 Posted 25 September 2013 I'd say to anyone always sign up to the Air Miles/loyalty scheme; even if you never intend to fly with them again. I don't go often enough to make use of air miles because they always expire but the last 2 times I've flown directly to Seattle on BA I've been upgraded on 3 of my journeys and I've been upgraded before. They always overbook flights in economy so when everyone turns up they have to upgrade people for free - happens on every long haul flight. Obviously when economy's full they look at the list and they upgrade people on the air miles/loyalty scheme first. You've always got a better chance if you're on your own. I'd always suggest casually mentioning your newly-wed or make something up at check-in and you've got a good chance of being bumped up (though it's harder now it's getting automated). Last time, I'd fallen down the stairs drunk and put my head through the wall at the bottom. I had a massive scar on my head, the bloke asked me what happened, I said something along the lines of: 'Was walking down the stairs at night with the lights off and the cat was asleep on a step and I put my foot on him. Instead of hurting the cat I lost my balance and fell down the stairs'. Hey presto - £2500 upgrade up 2 classes for a 12 hour flight - it's a different world in there.
absolutelegend Posted 25 September 2013 Posted 25 September 2013 I used to collect bmi diamond club points (star alliance) but transferred to avios last year. I'm also united gold. To be honest though, I don't find airline points that great, especially when taxes are taken into account. The avios cabin upgrade voucher and companion tickets are nice to have though. I tend to rack up the hotel points in preference; Marriott and ihg for which I am platinum premier and hold respectively. I find I get a much better return on investment and I value hotel upgrades far more than flight class upgrades.
Monk Posted 25 September 2013 Author Posted 25 September 2013 Very nice if you have plat with IHG. There are some amazing intercontinentals to burn points on too. I've done about 20 Easyjet flights this year and a bit annoyed they don't have a mileage scheme! Earned a few MR points but not great. I've started using hotels.com as my hotel loyalty scheme - buy 10 nights get one free to the average value of what you spent. Already got a couple in the bank and it means I don't have to swear allegiance to any hotel brand.
Webbo Posted 25 September 2013 Posted 25 September 2013 I was going to say I collect nectar points but I don't think I'll bother now.
MooseBreath Posted 25 September 2013 Posted 25 September 2013 Most humblebragging in one thread ever?
OzFox Posted 27 September 2013 Posted 27 September 2013 The taxes are such a spectacularly high percentage of the flight ticket that when the mrs and I flew to Dubai on a BOGOF flight I'd "earned" through my spending a few years ago, it worked out more expensive to go economy with Virgin ton the BOGOF than with Emirates without the reward seat. Plus you get no flexibility. Yep. Last couple of times I've flown to the UK using air miles its been via America on qantas and virgin Atlantic. The total taxes haven't been much less than buying a discounted economy ticket that included the tax. Plus I've had the aggro of trying to book the right flights which is time consuming to say the least. Overall I'm beginning to think air miles are not worth the bother. One tip I can pass on is change your credit card annually, as most cards (over here at least) offer bonus miles for signing up. Sometimes as many as 50,000. Another tip is to get your card stolen or skimmed, and hope the thieves run up a reasonable amount. Somebody used my card number to buy $22,000 worth of furniture and fish (!) somewhere in Quebec. I got the money back immediately from the credit card company, and got 22,000 free air miles
Smudge Posted 30 September 2013 Posted 30 September 2013 Most humblebragging in one thread ever? Just you don't feel left out Moosey
Guest Posted 30 September 2013 Posted 30 September 2013 Just you don't feel left out Moosey I've just signed up for BAs air miles as I'm off to the states this Friday so will be earning a few from that.
MooseBreath Posted 30 September 2013 Posted 30 September 2013 Just you don't feel left out Moosey That's so thoughtful. I'm touched. It's six months old already though. What have you been doing with it all this time? Buying your date a happy meal in the extra special Virgin lounge at Phnom Penh.
Smudge Posted 30 September 2013 Posted 30 September 2013 That's so thoughtful. I'm touched. It's six months old already though. What have you been doing with it all this time? Buying your date a happy meal in the extra special Virgin lounge at Phnom Penh. Come on lighten up
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