Frequent Flyer Miles / Club

quazzy

Hi All,

I am going to be doing a bit of travelling this year and thought it might be a good idea to get something back from the airlines for a change.

Just signed up to the Aer Lingus one and I just want to know what kind of incentives / bonus do they offer.

If anyone has any experience with these cards then I would appreciate some information.

Cheers,

Q

jester77

I travelled alot with them when based in Ireland. It was handy for cashing in the points to get upgrades, particulary on the long range flights. Back before flights were cheap they were good for getting free flights around Europe but probably not worth that now! I think the best perk would be the various one circle lounges for relaxing with a free beer away from all the chaos, especially when your flight is delayed or if you're meetings finish early and you have alot of time hanging out in the airport!

BuffyBot

TBH I wouldn't have bothered with Aer Lingus's FF plan even if you fly them a lot. There are better options out there!

quazzy

BuffyBot wrote:

TBH I wouldn't have bothered with Aer Lingus's FF plan even if you fly them a lot. There are better options out there!

Can you recommend another decent FF plan in the oneworld community?

I am going to be going to Oz in a few months, so do you think signing up for the Quantas FF plan would be a better option.

BuffyBot

BA Executive Club, though you can only join when booking a flight, or retrospectively. Qantas could be also be an option.

Outside one world, bmi diamond club isn't the worst FF plan out there and as part of the Star Alliance it gives you quite a few options when collecting points and obtaining rewards.

therecklessone

quazzy wrote:

Can you recommend another decent FF plan in the oneworld community?

I recently joined Iberia Plus, they cover a lot of hotel chains.

quazzy

Thanks for the comments.

I'll check up on those.

Anyone else care to add their 2 cents, then please feel free.

Q

cousin_borat

Join the BA Executive club which is part of the oneworld alliance. Rumour also has it that Aer Lingus is pulling out of oneworld alliance.

TBh as another poster said the main advantage is being able to use the airport lounges. I joined Aer Lingus but had some major issues on business travel from Boston where they would not put me on another flight when the Aer Lingus was delayed even though I was returning 2 days later. Customer Service never replied to repeated faxes and letters so switched to BA.

BuffyBot

Rumour also has it that Aer Lingus is pulling out of oneworld alliance.

Not a rumour. Been confirmed for quite a while - in fact, they leave on the 1st of April

hunnymonster

I've had nothing but problems with the aer Lingus programme so it's no loss to me that they're leaving.

I use priority pass for the airport lounges when I'm travelling. It's not particularly cheap but it's worth it just to get away from the hoi polloi in Duty Free. Even more so now that you can't bring more than 100ml's through security.

I don't travel to Oz but BA and Lufthansa (miles and more) work for me. I'm going to be in the States more than Europe this year so I need to look into their programmes now.

This is a good starting point for your research
http://airtravel.about.com/od/frequentflyers/Frequent_Flyers.htm

quazzy

Thanks for all the replies and linkies.

I have joined both Aer Lingus and Quantas.
Aer Lingus are leaving oneworld in April this year - but I think I will be using them at some stage.

Quantas have a really good website for the FF plan. They have a great Points Calculater so I just hope I can earn a few freebies.

amc759

I suject you join AA(american Airlines) frequent flyer progamme, you cna do this on line www.aa.com. they will give you points on your Aerlingsu and Quantas flights. One world alliance. They give better deals on upgrades ect.
Aerlings is a waste of time and they are very unhelpful

I also suggest you join one of the Star alliance. I joined Krisflyer years ago, and they give great upgrades.