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We have allowed the dust to settle after British Airways Executive Club changes earlier this year. Does anyone have advice on the best airline loyalty program to join?
For a decade we have enjoyed the old BA silver status (free seat selection and lounge access).Any other airlines/ loyalty programs you recommend exploring?
It depends on what you are looking for from a scheme (redemptions vs elite benefits) and what your travel patterns are. There isn’t a one size fits all answer.
Worth remembering that the default is free agent and there are some benefits to that: no need to take odd routings, freedom to select any carrier etc
The most common alternatives mentioned are BA, IB, QR, AY, AF/KL, LH and A3 (in no particular order). They all have advantages and disadvantages, but you need to look at what travel you do, and what that would get you in each of them.
Personally I’ve gone for AY, primarily because I think I’ll be able to maintain at least Oneworld Sapphire with them (and do a tier point run to Emerald if I want to), and because I don’t want to be stuck with connecting short haul flights for every weekend away I do (ie I can still use BA)
As @Matt said there’s so many factors to consider there’s not one easy answer. Worth taking a look at the thread on Flyer Talk about this, and the Google doc someone made with a nice summary. Ultimately it’ll need some desk time to figure out what works best for you. I’m going with Royal Jordanian for the segments and accepting that I miss out on Avios collection from flights and less good redemption opportunities
No easy answers as also depends on your flying patterns.
QR may look good but have a 4 flights on their metal rule to gain status no matter how many TPs you had (like the old BA system had).
Others come with similar minimum number of flights rules as well.
Thank you for the advice it’s much appreciated.
I think exploring Finnair or Royal Jordanian sounds good to remain in One World.
We generally fly 4 times per year (3 long haul/ 1 short haul) usually waiting for BA seat sales so we can push the budget and get business class.
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