Which Air Group is Best?

[SamplerDoc]

Can You get Miles on AirAsia in any of these Programs?

[rxpharm]

Samplerdoc, Air Asia does not belong to any of these airline groups. Right now they do not offer any mileage/privilege options and are strictly operating as a no-frills discount airline. Be careful about your carry one and check bags though - they don't give you much tolerance for excess weight items before the charges start.

[SamplerDoc]

Anyone having a change of heart?

[Snick]

(rxpharm @ Jul. 20 2007,06:35) Samplerdoc, Air Asia does not belong to any of these airline groups. Right now they do not offer any mileage/privilege options and are strictly operating as a no-frills discount airline. Be careful about your carry one and check bags though - they don't give you much tolerance for excess weight items before the charges start.

AirAsia does offer a credit card in Thailand where money spent equals points, which can be used for tickets.
(don't remember the details).

Unfortunately they would not give one to me, a foreigner.

[PigDogg]

(Snick @ Jun. 12 2008,01:37) Unfortunately they would not give one to me, a foreigner.

The Coneheads were from France but this guy might be from Uranus.

[Snick]

Not Ur Anus !!!!!!!!!

[aktiv-passiv]

I get along well with my Lufthansa Card (Star Alliance). Lufthansa, a rather strong member of the group, seems to take care that their customers are treated o.k. by the affiliated carriers. So I do not have much to complain about.

Getting a bonus flight Germany - Thailand was not a big problem two years ago.

[marshal]

Dumbass question coming

I always book through internet sites opodo.co.uk/sta travel or similar. If you freqently fly with the same airlines but book through the net can you still join the loyalty schemes or is this only for direct bookings to the airlines?

[katoeylover]

Yes, they are open to everyone flying with them, no matter where you book the ticket.

The only difference may be the mileage awarxded if you are on a really cheap flight.

[dummy_plug]

But to add that, there are some consolidator fares sold via travel agents where you will NOT earn mileage. These are usually the very cheap fares (that are fast disappearing) and in general only apply to domestic tickets, however, there may be cases where an international flight might have been exempted. If you're really paranoid I would just call the site or agent and see what booking class the ticket is and confirm you get the mileage. That said, it takes a lot of miles to earn a free trip. I think I have to fly to loss 4.5 times before I can get a freebie.

[LoveYouLongTime]

Baggage is a big part of my travels back from the LOS. My last trip in March was from BKK to California via United. I had 7 total pieces of luggage. They only charged me for 2 additional pieces which cost me about $250.00. I was expecting to pay over $600, so that was a pleasant suprise. I remember reading somewhere in this forum that Gold members in the Star Alliance got a break on additional pieces of luggage. Does anyone have this info? I am afraid now that since fuel prices have gone through the roof, the generosity of the airlines will be waning!!!

[bbb2k2]

(dummy_plug @ Jun. 19 2008,11:51)  But to add that, there are some consolidator fares sold via travel agents where you will NOT earn mileage. These are usually the very cheap fares (that are fast disappearing) and in general only apply to domestic tickets, however, there may be cases where an international flight might have been exempted. If you're really paranoid I would just call the site or agent and see what booking class the ticket is and confirm you get the mileage. That said, it takes a lot of miles to earn a free trip. I think I have to fly to loss 4.5 times before I can get a freebie.  

The cheapest tickets from ARN-BKK and CPH-BKK used to give just half the miles. Some time this summer this is changed and in the future you will not get any points at all.

I had no problem using miles to get a Premium Economy seat to LOS in November/December when I booked about 5 months before the trip.

[rxpharm]

(LoveYouLongTime @ Jun. 19 2008,15:18) ... I remember reading somewhere in this forum that Gold members in the Star Alliance got a break on additional pieces of luggage. Does anyone have this info? ...

That was me, for Air Canada Aeroplan Elite (gold) card holders the extra luggage allowance as follows from the Aeorplan home page:

Extra Checked Baggage Allowance
Check up to four standard pieces of luggage€”at no extra charge.

Each piece must weigh less than 70 lbs (32 kg). The total weight of all bags must not exceed 200 lbs (92 kg). This Privilege is available when travelling on any fare, including Aeroplan Reward travel, during normal operations on scheduled flights operated by:

Air Canada
Air Canada Jazz
Furthermore, when flying on any scheduled flight operated by a Star AllianceTM member airline during normal operations, you can bring either an additional 20 kg of luggage or one extra bag (for a total of three bags), depending on the carrier and route (one extra bag applies primarily on flights between North and South America). Please contact each Star Alliance carrier separately for details on their baggage policy.

So you need to check with your member airline you received your card from to be sure what kind of luggage bonus they will allow gold card members.

[PigDogg]

Breaking news, Cuntinental just announced it's joining Star Alliance. Good news for guys who prefer to fly out of EWR.

[sev7en]

I like aeroflot. They have direct flight from Gulag to Jomtien now.