Frequent Travel

[jimmyV8]

I have accepted a new job which will involve fairly frequent trips (perhaps 2 a month) to the States and China. Having never travelled a huge amount with work previously I am a a little unsure as to how airline rewards work. would I personally be required to book a flight ticket to receive frequent flyer rewards or is it something you collect at check in for instance?

[Puggit]

You can collect the points at check-in (online or in person), just pass your card over.

Choose one airline or airline group (OneWorld/Star Alliance etc) and stick with it

[Extra 300 Driver]

I travel twice a month to Singapore and noe I am going to be going to Brazil too.

As you are travelling both east and west I would recommend that you use a UK based airline to register with for FF miles, BA or Virgin. Virgin are Star Alliance:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Alliance

BA are OneWorld

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oneworld

My advice to you, and I am in the same situation, is to choose an airline and stick with them. This way you will collect loads of frequent flyer air miles to use when you want to, maybe on holiday, or for upgrades (are you travelling business class?). Also book directly with the airlines, don't go through expedia or Opodo as they only give you some of the benefits, its always best to book directly and its less of a pain if you have to make changes.

Regarding the actual travel; drink loads of water and not too much booze (it makes me feel awful when I travel), get an iPad with loads of films on it because you will quickly get bored of the entertainment on the aircraft, and if your travelling business class with a lay flat seat take a small light sleeping bag. I have seen a few people on Emirates with these and they are so cool for sleeping on lie flat beds, much better than the tiny blankets the airlines give you and you’ll get a much better sleep. (It seems mad I know but you’re the one who has to get over the jet lag fast!)

Also take a look at www.flyertalk.com

[tuffer]

I travel long haul every week.....In Economy. Yes, it sucks.

[Puggit]

tuffer said:

I travel long haul every week.....In Economy. Yes, it sucks.

Ahhh - another member of the 'I made Gold in economy' club?

[bennyboydurham]

tuffer said:

I travel long haul every week.....In Economy. Yes, it sucks.

That's not nice. We did a 14 hour haul from Malaysia last week in economy and it was pretty unpleasant. You get to the point where you want to sleep but you're too uncomfortable to do so and the combination of boredom, numbness and general discomfort really begins to bite. As much as the idea of being a 'jet setter' appeals, I don't envy people who do it in economy!

[tubbystu]

bennyboydurham said:

tuffer said:

I travel long haul every week.....In Economy. Yes, it sucks.

As much as the idea of being a 'jet setter' appeals, I don't envy people who do it in economy!

I also fly regularly, nearly always in economy, and have done for years. Sleep is the answer and a little alcohol to help this is your friend.

For instance, I fly tomorrow from Abu Dhabi at 8:20am. I have a beer ready in my room when I get up at 4am local, a couple more at the airport post check in and I will be happily snoozing as we accelerate down the runway.

Sober as the proverbial judge by the time we land, home and ready for a late lunch in my local.

All IMHO of course

To the OP - just ensure you book all your flights with the same airlines to maximise your rewards earning potential. Cheap flights = almost always no earnings.

[jazzybee]

jimmyV8 said:

I have accepted a new job which will involve fairly frequent trips (perhaps 2 a month) to the States and China. Having never travelled a huge amount with work previously I am a a little unsure as to how airline rewards work. would I personally be required to book a flight ticket to receive frequent flyer rewards or is it something you collect at check in for instance?

You can usually collect personal points for your business travel even if your company pays directly for the ticket. You will probably set up an account with the company's travel agency who you will book with. Part of that profile will include all your preferred rewards numbers. I would suggest getting one for each airline group you may use, but try and use your preferred one as much as possible. I use one most often, and the others when I cannot fly with my preferred airline.

Do not forget Hotel rewards as well - some of the hotel rewards will sent your points to your preferred airline account. Also car rental if you will regularly rend a car.

[tuffer]

Puggit said:

tuffer said:

I travel long haul every week.....In Economy. Yes, it sucks.

Ahhh - another member of the 'I made Gold in economy' club?

This year, Silver, Gold and re-qualified for Gold....674,000 miles with BA alone :-)

[hyperblue]

Extra 300 Driver said:

As you are travelling both east and west I would recommend that you use a UK based airline to register with for FF miles, BA or Virgin. Virgin are Star Alliance:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Alliance

Virgin aren't in Star Alliance.

As well as miles, don't forget to collect hotel points - Priority Club, A-club etc. Nice to have a free weekend away somewhere every now and then

Edited by hyperblue on Tuesday 6th December 18:38

[Puggit]

hyperblue said:

Extra 300 Driver said:

As you are travelling both east and west I would recommend that you use a UK based airline to register with for FF miles, BA or Virgin. Virgin are Star Alliance:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Alliance

Virgin aren't in Star Alliance.

Correct, but you can redeem bmi points for Virgin flights, and also use the T3 Virgin lounge if bmi gold when flying Virgin

[Extra 300 Driver]

Puggit said:

Correct, but you can redeem bmi points for Virgin flights, and also use the T3 Virgin lounge if bmi gold when flying Virgin

Yes, sorry.

Found this;

Virgin's involvement with Lufthansa's talks on BMI's future may lead to a possible merger on parts of the airlines' operations – this may well lead to Virgin's entrance into the Star Alliance to counter its major rival, Oneworld alliance's strong presence on the very lucrative LHR-JFK route. In fact Virgin already has partnership agreements with 9 of the Star Alliance members, while having none with Oneworld and SkyTeam members. Singapore Airlines currently has a 49% stake in shareholding on Virgin Atlantic.

[Targarama]

Extra 300 Driver said:

Yes, sorry.

Found this;

Virgin's involvement with Lufthansa's talks on BMI's future may lead to a possible merger on parts of the airlines' operations – this may well lead to Virgin's entrance into the Star Alliance to counter its major rival, Oneworld alliance's strong presence on the very lucrative LHR-JFK route. In fact Virgin already has partnership agreements with 9 of the Star Alliance members, while having none with Oneworld and SkyTeam members. Singapore Airlines currently has a 49% stake in shareholding on Virgin Atlantic.

This would be awesome for me. As a regular Virgin Goldie, but now silver due to half my long haul being Lufthansa means I'll be god status on Star Aliiamce.

[Puggit]

Sadly I think bmi will be swallowed by BA

[hyperblue]

Fair enough, I had to check myself. Would love Virgin to be in Star Alliance, as I have more points on United than I know what to do with!

[Puggit]

I think every Virgin FF would love them to be part of *A, and every bmi regular would love Virgin to buy bmi to achieve it!

[Roger645]

jimmyV8 said:

I have accepted a new job which will involve fairly frequent trips (perhaps 2 a month) to the States and China. Having never travelled a huge amount with work previously I am a a little unsure as to how airline rewards work. would I personally be required to book a flight ticket to receive frequent flyer rewards or is it something you collect at check in for instance?

I have luckily wound down my regular travel commitments over the last two years but as others have said pick a favourite airline and hotel group and get the rewards cards. Tell your travel people the numbers and get them to use them when they book your travel. Get the phone app for the airline so you can check in and get your boarding card sent to the device.

Other tips that may be useful.

Hand luggage: I carried a separate little pouch that has the stuff you want during a flight that fits in the magazine pocket in the seat back. This means you don't need to rummage through your main hand luggage for headphones, mints etc.

Carry stuff that is useful in the hotel room, releasable cable ties allow you to use the hangers from the wardrobe in the bathroom to steam your shirts. If you are going to stay at the same hotel a lot ask them if they can launder and store some clothes for you, means to can travel lighter. A serviced apartment is the best option if you can swing it with your company.

[Silver993tt]

Better still is to get a flight allowance in cash instead of having tickets bought for you by the company. I had this and was able to book my own flights both short and long haul. I saved enough cash over 3 years to buy a 911 I always flew in ecomomy without problem, busines class for an extra £1500-£3000 simply wasn't worth it.

[Silver993tt]

Puggit said:

I think every Virgin FF would love them to be part of *A, and every bmi regular would love Virgin to buy bmi to achieve it!

IAG are buying BMI which is the owner of British Airways & Iberia, so they will become part of One World.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15588645

[Puggit]

Silver993tt said:

Puggit said:

I think every Virgin FF would love them to be part of *A, and every bmi regular would love Virgin to buy bmi to achieve it!

IAG are buying BMI which is the owner of British Airways & Iberia, so they will become part of One World.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15588645

article said:

The airlines said they hoped to sign a purchase agreement "in the coming weeks" and complete the deal before April 2012.

But Virgin Atlantic told the BBC that it could still buy the airline.

The sale still has to be cleared by regulators.