Maps, miles, business room: how to get the most from air travel

Why use loyalty programs

Surprisingly, many frequent flyers do not start airline loyalty cards (about a mile credit cards keshbekom I generally keep quiet). Like, it is unclear what is the proc. Friends! There are two arguments for: rational and emotional.

From the viewpoint ratio, this elementary advantageous. If you fly at least once in 5-7 years, then to combustion miles you no, no yes and accumulate at least one bonus ticket. Further more. But even if the card you just have, the chances of getting a nice bun on the airline increased.

His first upgrade to business class I got just because he was in the loyalty system. A second late for flight passengers to get seats in the last row in the toilet.

In terms of emotion and passion, the pursuit of miles, bonus and status - is a fascinating game with its own rules and tactics. But more on that below.

Do not neglect this opportunity. This is not a bakery loyalty card, here at stake is very valuable prizes. Includes a system of loyalty of all airlines that you are flying. Card itself can not even get: you need not plastic, and the number in the database.

The good news: As a rule, points are awarded, and "back". If you sign up now, you zachtut even last flights in the last 3-6 months.

How it works

To understand the system of the device you need to know and distinguish between three concepts:

1. qualifying (Status) mile (Points) are awarded for airline flights and certain of its airline partners.
2. non-qualifying (Reward) mile (Points) are awarded for the use of services loyalty program partner companies, as well as other special offers and promotions.
3. flight segments (Flights) are equal to the number of direct flights of aircraft the airline (and occasionally her partner) - the number of takeoffs and landings (flight with one change - two segments).

The terms for different airlines may differ, but their loyalty programs are always based on this starry trio at the entrance. And at the exit - status (gold, silver ...) and premium (services that you can buy a mile of all types of storage).

At the same time, you can spend any mile, but only qualification (status) are working on acquiring the status is at a premium. Or the status can be obtained by dialing a certain number of flights.

Piggy miles zeroed extremely rare. It will be useful to examine the specific rules, but in general, the logic is as follows: to burn a mile, you have three years does not fly airline flights.

But the status of the work usually miles and flights that you've typed in a given calendar year. At the same time you get an elevated status at the time of fulfillment of the conditions for the end of this year and the next (some even with a small "tail" after). Perepodtverzhdat status needed annually (of course, if you want to extend). Life does not give anything.

And further. Watch out for those who operate a flight. Even if your airline sells tickets, it does not mean that it is the flight operator (direct carrier). It may be that it just offers you a flight from another airline code-sheringu. In this case, charges flight segments and qualifying miles may not be - read the rules.

In code-sheringa there are other unpleasant surprises. For example, often it does not support online registration.

And yet why

Let us return to the existential issues.

Why earn miles? For example, to pay for their tickets. Here everything is clear.

Why do I need the status? And here the answer will be more thorough. Statuses (depending on their level and specific airline rules) have many advantages. I will not give huge exposure of rules and advertising carriers, but will share their own experiences. What particularly pleased me:

1. Increased Baggage Allowance. It has been operating at silver status, and then these standards are growing more and more.
2. A special Priority tag on checked baggage. Outwardly, it's just a beautiful accessory, but it is believed that with him your suitcase service in a special manner, and even issued on arrival at the first stage (in most cases it is).
3. The increased number of miles that you get for every flight. This bonus (10 to 75%) non-qualifying credited miles. So to update or improve, they will not bring you status, but they can then spend.
4. Special service desk at the airport. In fact, do not you go into the general queue and queue for business class passengers. Even if you just need to drop off your luggage, it is convenient. However, for example, "Aeroflot", this place can sometimes be longer than in economy class. But for the most part, of course, it saves time.
5. Access to business lounges. This is not all and not always: "Aeroflot" gives such a right only if the gold status, and, for example, Belavia has a "silver", but only one passenger - without your companion.
6. Seat selection. There is quite muddy stuff. Someone there, someone is not present. But in general, the passenger status has a number of preferences in the selection of the desired location in the cabin in advance, before the opening of registration.
7. Upgrades to the class of service. My most favorite thing. Now I'm not afraid of the word "overbooking", and wait and hope that in my economy class flights will be full and I planted in the business or comfort as the frequent flyer who is so at the beginning of sheet expectations.

The paper also has its own strategy on upgrades. It is not always blind luck. It is important to choose the flight and the airline as a whole.

There are still a number of advantages. They boil down to the fact that the person with the card will be put in priority everywhere: when you need to get to the full scored by flight, when you want to go on board the aircraft without a queue, and even when you want to place in an emergency exit.

In general, it is really convenient - a status to be the passenger.

Working on it

If you decide to not just earn miles, and it is to earn the status, then you need a strategy. It sounds funny, but the way it is. Not zaparivatsya can only be flying at 200 times a year, and in other cases it is necessary to think through the process. However, the main issues are only two.

1. Which airline to choose?

Underlying reason is simple. When you do not bother with the flight miles and then looking for the cheap and convenient flights. But when you lay up, you need have a certain airline. This narrows the choice.

I will not original and say that in Russia, the best option is almost always going to be "Aeroflot":

• The biggest route map, and thus more likely to get a status benefit from another of your trip.
• STC "Russia" is also included in the program "Aeroflot Bonus" (which means that you are fit already two Moscow airports, and even more destinations and flights).

Added to this is a very generous award mile (best of all in Russia) and a good aircraft park. In general, do not choose the "Aeroflot" as a major airline can only be on the big love to S7 or if you live in Domodedovo and Novosibirsk (but there is not a fact). No intrigue.

2. That save for status?

Let me remind you two options: miles and flights. And how it would be possible to decide what to focus on, but in practice your choice certainly fall on flight segments.

As a rule, airlines provide status for a similar number of flights and thousands of miles within a year. But few have flights economy class will give you at least a thousand of qualifying points. And scored 20, 30, 50 000 points very little really. But 20, 30, 50 flights - completely.

I only know one person who earns status miles. It flies in business class across the Atlantic. For corporate account, of course.

Most cheat route - Moscow - St. Petersburg. Flights daily darkness ticket price starts from just 2000 rubles, but also give him one flight segment. So that in case of lack of a couple of flights to recommend the end of the year to take off to St. Petersburg for the weekend. Or vice versa. Or with a change, if you live in some third city (get as much as four segments of the route round trip).

By the way, sometimes to choose routes with transfers - is also an option. They are cheaper, and the status of the closer. Maybe even a walk and time between flights remain. Although, of course, is an option for maniacs like me.

It was not in vain

Without all these miles and status you can live. And fly quite a can. But here one should get an upgrade or a couple of times to go to the business lounge - and you addictive. I would like to go back and get more any special compliment from the airline. You start in a certain way to plan your trip and choose the right route for you ...

Modern aviation industry long lost charm of the last century. Today it is a huge conveyor economical move tens or hundreds of thousands of tons of people at any distance. Only premium classes of service, loyalty programs and hidden in them the possibility of continuing to make our flights are something special.

You have not tried? Join our club!

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