How many Addicts stick with the same Airline

[blue1878]

I wonder how many addicts stay with the same airline. The last 5 times I've flown to Thailand I have flown with Etihad. After I made my first booking with Etihad I joined thererequent Flyer Club. And staying with Etihad has had many benifits

(1) After my 5th trip I qualified for a free return trip to Thailand. So I have used my airmiles to get free flights for my next trip in July/August. I only had to pay the airport tax

(2) I am a single traveller and because I am a member of Etihad's Frequent flyer club there is always a chance of a free upgrade. During my five trips to Thailand with Etihad I have been upgraded twice

(3) I am now have silver statys with Etihad so I earn an extra 25% air miles every time I fly with them

(4) Having Silver Status means I get free access to airport lounges whilst waiting for my flight(s). So this saves me money at the airports. I can get free food and drink whilst waiting to fly.

(5) When waiting in queues to check in I have on a couple of occasions been moved over to the bussiness check in desks because the staff have noticed I have silver status with the airline.

(6) On one occasion I even got given a ticket at the check in to go through the fast track lane at immagration.

 

Staying with the same airline does have it's benifits

 

I am going to Thailand 2 times this year and both times I will be flying with Etihad

 

I wonder what airlines other addicts fly with

[fostraswift]

have flown with Etihad 4 times now..i see no reason to change

dublin-abu dabi-bangkok is ideal for me...avoids hoping over to heathrow

guest program is ideal....never got upgraded yet, must try that next time

Edited May 19, 2009 by fostraswift

[Dr.Winston]

I used to stick with Thai. I was a Gold card holder until a few months back (Gold is Thai's top card) and enjoyed some nice treats like a free return 1st Class flight in seat 1a, another free return economy flight and all the usual perks. Thai have made gaining Gold status a lot harder recently so I've given up the loyalty and will just go for the best deal from now on.

[7-Eleven]

I keep meaning to stick with etihad but I find other deals that draw me in (this trip flying direct with BA £400 rtn)

 

Blue... can you still book through sites such as expedia and still get as many points or do you have to book direct with the airline?

[firstholliday]

i actually don't do that.. i,m allways shopping for bargains.

 

Been to Thail probably 20 times and flew most with EVA. But also with KLM, Singapore air, china, Lauda Air.

I,m leaving in 3 hours again and this time with Lufthansa.

Ams- Frankfurt- 1 hour wait - BKK

 

Costed Euro 545 incl.

 

Thought that was a very good price

[Mike Asia]

The best way is to go with an alliance, like Oneworld or Star Alliance. You join one program and can fly several airlines and still get Gold or whatever status. For example flying from the US you can take a combination of American, JAL, Cathay Pacific and get your miles on American. You can also redeem miles on any member airline, it gives more flexibility. When flying any airline in the alliance you get the same benefit, for example biz class checkin and lounge access. When I transit in Tokyo I can go to the American lounge for a shower then over to the JAL lounge to eat at the buffet, drink and smoke.

 

You can earn status by miles flown or segments. Back when Thai domestic flights were cheap people used to fly to Thailand for a 'Baht Run' and rack up segments flown to get elite status on the Star Alliance. Spend days flying back and forth on the short flights between Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son. Japanese guy supposedly had the record, took 70 domestic flights in 7 days.

[blue1878]

I keep meaning to stick with etihad but I find other deals that draw me in (this trip flying direct with BA £400 rtn)

 

Blue... can you still book through sites such as expedia and still get as many points or do you have to book direct with the airline?

 

Terry you don't have to book with etihad to get your full air miles entitlement. You can book etihad flights with expidia or any other company and still get your full entitlement. You just have to make sure that Etihad know that your an Etihad Guest Member so that they can credit your account with the air miles. You can do this by showing your Etihad Guest card when your checking in at the airport or phone up Etihad in advance and let them know when you are flying and they will access there computer and put your membership number against your booking so that when you fly the air miles are booked against you.

 

I think it's good being with one airline because in the end you'll be a winner money wise. if you fly to Thailand at least twice a year you will get silver status. So that means you get access to the lounges at the airports. Which means free food and drink. I always have a drink at the various airport's I'm in whilst I'm waiting for my flights. So being in the lounge saves me money. Also with flying twice a year I should get every 6th flight free.

Edited May 19, 2009 by blue1878

[blue1878]

Basic membership with Etihad means you earn 1 air mile for every mile you fly

 

When you get to silver status your earn an extra 25 per cent. So from Manchester to Bangkok you fly about 12,000 miles return but earn 15,000 air miles

 

When you reach gold status you earn an extra 50 per cent. So when you fly the 12,000 miles round trip you earn 18,000 miles

 

Without looking at the Etihad site I think I needed 76,000 miles in my account to qualify for the free return flight between the UK and Bangkok. I passed that total with my 5th flight. My 5th flight was last December. I used my airmiles for my flights in July/August. I only had to pay the airport tax

[Jeremia]

The best way is to go with an alliance,

 

Good advice..Me and the missus have started using business class Kenya airlines to/from Thailand and Africa and our airmiles will give us free flights with KLM or Air France to/from Thailand and Blighty...

 

We used to be Emirates regulars to / from West Africa and Thailand and got free flights back to Blighty with them too..but the schedule to East Africa is shite..

[keyser]

I fly SAS done it the on my two trips since only they and Thai have direct flights from Copenhagen and going through some other city only saves me about $100-200 and takes 4-6 hours longer.

They leave CPH at 11pm and arrive BKK 2:45pm

Leave BKK 00:50 and arrive CPH 7am so its perfect for me.

[chuckrivera]

99% United for about 17 years now.

[Naja Tom]

I always try to fly American Airlines. I love the 777s and am not a big fan of 747s. And I used to be able to fly as an employee spouse which meant it was cheap to fly 1st class.....but now I have to buy my tickets and get the miles!!

[Slacker]

I started out with Etihad...and would have stuck with them if they hadn't messed around with their UK base and the layover times. Have flown Qatar a few times. One bonus with them, join the FF club for a very generous 30 Kgs baggage allowance - most others only offer 20 until higher levels.

 

Anyone know what EVA's FF programme is like ?

[loneranger]

I wonder how many addicts stay with the same airline. The last 5 times I've flown to Thailand I have flown with Etihad. After I made my first booking with Etihad I joined thererequent Flyer Club. And staying with Etihad has had many benifits

(1) After my 5th trip I qualified for a free return trip to Thailand. So I have used my airmiles to get free flights for my next trip in July/August. I only had to pay the airport tax

(2) I am a single traveller and because I am a member of Etihad's Frequent flyer club there is always a chance of a free upgrade. During my five trips to Thailand with Etihad I have been upgraded twice

(3) I am now have silver statys with Etihad so I earn an extra 25% air miles every time I fly with them

(4) Having Silver Status means I get free access to airport lounges whilst waiting for my flight(s). So this saves me money at the airports. I can get free food and drink whilst waiting to fly.

(5) When waiting in queues to check in I have on a couple of occasions been moved over to the bussiness check in desks because the staff have noticed I have silver status with the airline.

(6) On one occasion I even got given a ticket at the check in to go through the fast track lane at immagration.

 

Staying with the same airline does have it's benifits

 

I am going to Thailand 2 times this year and both times I will be flying with Etihad

 

I wonder what airlines other addicts fly with

i have flown with thai and i find them 95% of the time very good value

but recently they have started slipping

so i am looking at other options

whats it like when you trave with family

do you get points for them as well,

i know you said you travel on your own but one of the other members might have a clue

tim 42 might as he seems pretty clued up on stuff like that

[my_name_mark_u_like_me]

i have flown with thai twice,b.a once,royal jordinian once (never again), quantas once, cathay pacific once and this time i have booked with emirates.

[mdmx33]

I am a devout Emirates flyer. Never had a single problem, OK my bag went mising for 24 hours last time but was duly delivered to my hotel the next morning. I have managed to et myself up to silver status in less than 12 months. My next flight will be my first as a silver member so we wil see what difference it makes. I just wish they used the airbus mor eon my route, being a big guy i find the airbus has more room.

[blue1878]

I started out with Etihad...and would have stuck with them if they hadn't messed around with their UK base and the layover times. Have flown Qatar a few times. One bonus with them, join the FF club for a very generous 30 Kgs baggage allowance - most others only offer 20 until higher levels.

 

Anyone know what EVA's FF programme is like ?

[blue1878]

i have flown with thai and i find them 95% of the time very good value

but recently they have started slipping

so i am looking at other options

whats it like when you trave with family

do you get points for them as well,

i know you said you travel on your own but one of the other members might have a clue

tim 42 might as he seems pretty clued up on stuff like that

 

With etihad you can get a family membership and every member of the family will earn points every time he or she flies.

Below is a paragraph I have copied and pasted from the Etihad Guest website

 

When any member of your Family Membership travels with us or one of our partner airlines, 100% of the Etihad Guest Miles earned by the Family Guest will be transferred to the Family Head's account, along with any bonus miles earned. You don’t need to travel together to accrue all the benefits of Family Membership.

 

Family Guests enrolled in a Family Membership continue to receive 100% of the Etihad Guest Tier Miles they earn and carry on receiving all their personal tier benefits — so they'll also be eligible for promotion to Etihad Guest Silver and Etihad Guest Gold, and all the benefits of membership of these exclusive premium tiers.

 

The website is www.etihadairways.com

 

blue1878

[arbiez]

Depends

 

Like others, I stick to a mileage program. I use Star Alliance and use United Mileage Plus FF plan to bank my miles. For my work in North America I travel on Air Canada, United and US Air (majority on United). For my Int'l trips I'm on United, Lufthansa going to EU and usually Singapore when heading to Asia. I've taken United only once from the states to BKK. The only exception to this so far has been 1 trip on EVA (my money). If I'm already in Singapore, I take JetStar Asia from Singapore to LOS (again on my dime). I also book my car rentals to United as well as all hotels outside the Starwood chain. As an added bonus, United miles can be earned at Safeway grocery store so I earn miles on my groceries. I haven't opted for the United credit card as I didn't like the terms.

 

Numerous advantages to this, but some options earn miles, but are not bonus eligible. IOW miles get banked, but not counted as air miles for status.

 

I haven't made 1k status over the course of a year, but I'm working on it.

 

Rumor has it that EVA will soon join Star Alliance. For now EVA plan is just their own but they have mileage partners.

 

There is the possibility that I may move based on new job responsibilities to a city that isn't Star Alliance friendly. Even then I'll probably continue taking United domestic to a hub that allows me to fly Singapore or Lufthansa.

 

I know it's a couple of bucks less to buy priceline flights to LOS, but in the long run I don't think you end up saving that much versus joining a FF program. (At least from North America perspective.)

[chuckrivera]

I haven't made 1k status over the course of a year, but I'm working on it.

 

<-------1K by July, then every 1.5 trips is worth a free one.

[praf974]

Ive flown with emirates and qatar and thai, emirates i dont really like because the Dubai airport stop is mental (always so crowded and long queues). Qatar is much more relaxed for a stopover. Now i just fly thai to get a direct flight and nice hostesses!

[KDNG]

I stick with any One World Airlines. I have a British Airways account from years ago, even though I keep on swearing I am going to get rid of it. Flying to East Asia I use Cathay Pacific everytime. If I do fly from BKK to another city though, with the exception of Manila (use Cathay for it), I will fly Air Asia

[denuk2003]

I started off with Thai then I decided to take the plunge with Eva. Now I only book with Eva and its been that way for about the last six trips.

 

I would reconsider flying with Thai if they upgraded their in flight entertainment and made their prices more competitive. Until then, I will stick with Eva.

[CaptainPugwash]

Flew Thai airways on my maiden trip and was ok, have flew Etihad and Emirates too. Emirates wins with me. Usually the price dictates the airline. Not sure if i could do the direct flight, enjoy the break.

[blue1878]

If I lived in the south of England I would consider flying with one or more of the airlines that fly direct to Bangkok from Heathrow or Gatwick.

 

I live about 35 miles from Manchester so I have to fly with airlines that have to do a one stop somewhere. I used to fly emerates but now prefer Etihad.

 

Abu Dhabi have just opened a new terminal at there airport. So it'll be interesting to see what the terminal is like.