Questions and Answers

I’m ashamed to say it… but I have a Qantas FF. Despite not living in Australia, or even having ever flown Qantas at all mind you. I made one because EK’s wasn’t working before I flew them three years ago. And frankly, I’m disappointed. Flown from CGK to:
[LIST]
[*]Brisbane/Melbourne on Emirates (from SIN)
[*]London on Malaysia Airlines
[*]Shanghai on Cathay Pacific
[*]Los Angeles on Cathay Pacific
[/LIST]
And I have enough points for:
a return Jetstar flight to Singapore. (Although these were all in discount economy)

I’m flying on EK again this June to the US, do you think I should make another FF. Living in CGK, which FF program would you recommend? Thanks!

Is your goal to achieve status or just to accumulate redeemable miles?

[QUOTE=”MidSouth Skier, post: 30440, member: 184″]Is your goal to achieve status or just to accumulate redeemable miles?[/QUOTE]
Redeemable miles mostly. The lowest tier on most FF programs aren’t really worth it to me.

Flying paid discount economy fares wont earn many miles to begin anyway, especially since you may not be earning 100% of flown miles.

Tough to make a recommendation but have you looked into Cathay’s AsiaMiles program or BA’s executive club? You wouldnt be able to credit Emirates flights there though. US’s Alaska Airlines MileagePlan is another option – they partner with Cathay, Qantas and Emirates. However, almost all of their awards must start or end in North America, which is less useful to you. For travel between other regions not including North America, you only have Cathay.

Consider looking at the JAL FF program:

Upside:
You can credit miles from both EK and Oneworld carriers.

Downside:
Distance based award chart.

Qantas’s frequent flyer program only makes sense if you fly QF numbers. the earn rate for EK lettered tickets in particular is very low. Qantas is very stingy with earning on partners