Frequent Flying, Is it worth it?

[altogethernow]

Based on your experience, is it worth it being a frequent flier? Or is it just better to catch deals when they come around? Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

We're frequent flyers with Delta/Song. Only because it makes on-line check-in easy. We don't really fly enough to rack up the milage.

 

[rsschneck]

When we joined DVC I signed my family up with Delta's frequent flier program. It is free to sign up for and I feel I have had better customer service since we joined. We will travel to the East Coast 2-3 times per year, so I figure we will get a free ticket after 4 to 5 trips.

We have a Disney Visa which is free. We never carry a balance and get 1% back which I just used $242.00 towards AP passes.

Both programs are free and we are getting benefits from both!

When making ressies with Delta they see how often you fly and want to continue to make you happy. We had mechanical problems and delays on our last trip. Nothing horrible, but I did email a letter regarding our inconviences and running through airports not to miss flights that we had been re-booked on. Well, each one of us in the family received a $75.00 voucher for future travel for our inconvience. I thought that was very nice.

I just booked for March and the web sight showed 2 different times for a good airfare. Well, Delta customer service only showed 1 time for the great fare so I booked that time. Later that same day I checked again and then called and the flight time I wanted came up the same great price. The reservations Lady had her supervisor change our tickets to the time I wanted and then she even changed one of our seat assignments to a preferred seating area so all three of us could be sitting together instead of 2 together and 1 in the row behind. I have always been happy with Delta. Plus, you can view all your itineraries on their web sight!

 

[inkkognito]

It depends on the program and how often you fly. We belong to American and United, but lately their fares to Orlando have been way too high. We also belong to ATA's program, which is based on the number of trips taken, not mileage. After every three trips, you earn a free companion ticket, and there are no blackouts as long as there are still seats available. We fly ATA an average of twice a month and have racked up lots of freebies. We used the latest two for Thanksgiving weekend and Christmas week and saved a ton of $$. Of course, if they ever start blacking out any dates, it won't be nearly as good.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[safetymom]

To be a regular frequent flyer is OK but when you reach the preferred levels it is great. There are perks that make it easier and many times are upgraded to first class. You also have a special phone number to make your arrangements. I made a mileage run this year to keep my higher status.

 

[seashoreCM]

Usually I will choose a non-stop flight with an airline I don't fly frequently as opposed to connecting flights with an airline I do fliy frquently with.

That's how I discoverd Delta and I took so many BOS-MCO flights (rather than United BOS-IAD-MCO) and now I have enough Delta miles for a free trip.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

I agree with rsschneck, we use the Continental cc for FF miles. We charge everything over $5. We have gotten 7 non-stop tx the last 3 year(Vegas,San Antonio, and Phoenix).

We also book our boarding passes on-line, makes it real easy going to the airport. Continental also has the "I-Dine" restraunt program where they have over 5000 restraunts where if you eat there and charge it you get 10 miles for every dollar charged(example $50 bill= 500 ff miles).

Wealso book all our flights on-line and get 1000 ff miles.

 

[prncess674]

Joining FF programs are free. however don't become penny wise and pound foolish. Many people will fly XXX airline because they want to rack up the miles on that airline even if BBB airline has a much cheaper fare. Unless the difference is neglible I would recommend for the casual flyer to always fly the cheapest airline. I am a very frequent flyer with Continental and have attained Platinum elite status because I fly so much for work. I average 100,000 actual flight miles flown. I earn lots of bonuses and such because of my elite status and yes it is worth it to me to sometimes fly Continental even when they are not the cheapest because I will accrue many more FF miles because I chose to fly CO. For example flying New Orleans to Singapore is over 10,000 flight miles one way . If I were to fly United (where I have no status) I would only earn the 20,000 miles (10K * 2). However if I fly CO for $100 more I would earn 45,000 FF miles because CO awards their Platinum elites 125% mileage bonus. I earn 25,000 additional miles just for flying CO.

 

[inkkognito]

That's a good point!
Hubby and I always figure how much a cheaper fare on another airline is worth in terms of earning 1/3 of a free flight on ATA, since you earn a free companion ticket after 3 roundtrips of any mileage. Usually the price difference isn't worth losing part of a freebie, but every now and then it is.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by inkkognito
That's a good point!
Hubby and I always figure how much a cheaper fare on another airline is worth in terms of earning 1/3 of a free flight on ATA, since you earn a free companion ticket after 3 roundtrips of any mileage. Usually the price difference isn't worth losing part of a freebie, but every now and then it is.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

Flying LCC (Low Cost Carriers) is a great way to earn free tickets for the not so hard core frequent flyer. The thresholds for earning a free ticket are usually lower than flying the big 6 "majors". Also the LCC usually are much easier to use the free tickets. My LCC of choice has been Southwest Airlines. Up until Dec 31 you were able to get a free ticket anywhere they flew without restriction for every four roundtrips you booked online and flew. A really great investment.

Also think about convenience and connections. Is it worth your time to have to fly through and connect or maybe not have the best flight times. Consider all things when booking travel. Not just FF miles.

Whatever you choose for any particular flight ALWAYS sign up for the FF program. Many FF programs let you cash in small amounts of miles for such things as drink coupons or free magazine subscriptions. So you can always get something!