Cheaper fare vs. reward program

[Rub1nho]

I was wondering if anyone has any exerience with this and could share some advice.

 I fly to LOS about 3 times a year, cattle class. I usually look for the cheapest fare I can find, however that means I will get reward miles everywhere but in small numbers...Would you book a (slightly) more expensive flight - say up to 50£/$/€ - in order to get your reward miles going towards a future trip?

 

First 3 trips were KLM, but I didn't sign up to their reward program, 4th one Etihad where I did (got about 8500 miles now) and next trip with Eva (not signed up yet). Would it be wiser to pay a bit extra and stick to 1 airline?

[FROST MEDIC999]

I always stick with just a couple of Airlines means I can get Flights that suit me from one or the other.

 

I also pay more so I get top points and can switch and swop with little if any cost and really think at least to me it is worth it.

 

As a regular Flyer, Points start to add up, as does moving up Tiers where you then get better status and benefits and with those points you can upgrade.

 

The best thing about upper Tiers is you get even more Miles than cattle so it is a no Brainer really

 

Ghosty

[foxracing]

I try to stay in my alliance program, star alliance....There are 3 major ones... This doesn't lock me into one carrier, and I still can find somewhat the cheapest price out there and get the miles...

[Shaksey]

Stick to one airline reward group - either Star Alliance or One World. They both have multiple airlines you can choose from that will earn you miles in the same scheme. 

 

Once you start to move up in FF status and also if you fly in higher classes the miles really start to rack up. 

 

Edit - Oh and avoid the cheap bucket fares in economy that might not earn you any miles at all. Not worth saving $100 for it imo if it's a long haul flight and it might earn you 10,000-15,000 miles for the rtn trip. This is even more important if you're upto higher FF status and get status bonus - then it would be say 20,000-30,000 miles lost.

[K20a213]

If you travel to there 3 times a year I would think that joining a rewards program would be the way to go. After a couple years, you would have accumulated enough miles for a rainy day escape. I understand that the amount you save flying on the cheapest deals is roughly the same as flying on frequent flyer miles, but it's a nice feeling flying for free (not exactly free but you get what I mean) and like others mentioned the other perks you get are always a nice bonus once you start racking up those miles.

 

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[gmoule]

I always fly etihad, and although the ff program isnt as good as it once was is still great, only 2 return flights in economy to thailand get u silver which gives free lounge access extra baggage etc