Questions and Answers

Hi Lucky,

Thanks for your hard work in reviewing so many new routes this year. Could you comment on the programs that allow family pooling of points and the ease and cost of the awards with these programs? Thanks.
Natalie

MMS did an article on this a couple of years ago ([URL]http://millionmilesecrets.com/2014/11/20/11-airlines-that-allow-you-to-share-miles/[/URL]) but might be a good time for an update [USER=4]@Lucky[/USER] [USER=7]@Tiffany[/USER]

If this helps I can speak from experience for two frequent flier family pooling programs.

For me the best one has been British Airways Executive Club in terms of flexibility and ease of use. I have used it several times to book short-haul (and some medium haul flights) within North America and Asia as the redemption rates are very reasonable. I have not however redeemed for long-haul as some of those redemptions are very expensive and have huge fees attached to them. Putting the family pool together was very easy. Booking flights on their website is also very easy. I live in Canada and there are many ways to earn Avios points. I imagine that in the US it should be even easier. I believe Avios do not expire unless you are inactive in your account (someone correct me if I am wrong).

I am also part of the JAL Mileage Bank Family Club program. I find Japanese websites somewhat difficult to navigate, so the setup of the family account was initially rather difficult when I did it earlier this year. It used to cost an annual fee (1000 JAL points) to keep the family club active but I believe it is now waived. There may or may not be a registration fee to create the family account (1000 JAL points). As I said the website is a little confusing. I took advantage of a registration fee waiver earlier in the year. It is difficult to earn JAL points outside of flying as I believe in North America only SPG starpoints can be transferred to the program. I did not find booking awards on the JAL website easy and calling their US call center can be long (thought the agents are pretty competent). That said, the long haul redemption rates are pretty reasonable and they do have partners outside of the Oneworld Alliance such as Emirates. JAL points expire after 3 years.

[QUOTE=”Cal, post: 17336, member: 859″]If this helps I can speak from experience for two frequent flier family pooling programs.

For me the best one has been British Airways Executive Club in terms of flexibility and ease of use. I have used it several times to book short-haul (and some medium haul flights) within North America and Asia as the redemption rates are very reasonable. I have not however redeemed for long-haul as some of those redemptions are very expensive and have huge fees attached to them. Putting the family pool together was very easy. Booking flights on their website is also very easy. I live in Canada and there are many ways to earn Avios points. I imagine that in the US it should be even easier. I believe Avios do not expire unless you are inactive in your account (someone correct me if I am wrong).

I am also part of the JAL Mileage Bank Family Club program. I find Japanese websites somewhat difficult to navigate, so the setup of the family account was initially rather difficult when I did it earlier this year. It used to cost an annual fee (1000 JAL points) to keep the family club active but I believe it is now waived. There may or may not be a registration fee to create the family account (1000 JAL points). As I said the website is a little confusing. I took advantage of a registration fee waiver earlier in the year. It is difficult to earn JAL points outside of flying as I believe in North America only SPG starpoints can be transferred to the program. I did not find booking awards on the JAL website easy and calling their US call center can be long (thought the agents are pretty competent). That said, the long haul redemption rates are pretty reasonable and they do have partners outside of the Oneworld Alliance such as Emirates. JAL points expire after 3 years.[/QUOTE]