Frequent Flyer programs Options

[chook]

I know some of us spend lots of time on the road for work. What loyalty plans have you signed up for? I have a bunch of them and recently got on continental (pretty badass cause they matched my AA status) and there are like 4 airlines I regularly fly that count towards continental miles/status with the Star Alliance.

Anybody add some that are good ones.

My Memberships
AA Advantage mileage (Sitting my ass traveling to Arkansas) (one world)
Starwoods Preferred Guest (Really transferable)
Continental Onepass (lots of airlines give points for this) (Star Alliance)
Southwest (8 round trips = 1 free, plus fly on business select for more credit)
Choice Privilege (comfort inn)
Holiday Inn's deal
National Emerald Isle (pretty badass membership rented a jeep in Hawaii over Christmas for fewer than 200, closest one was 470 for same time/vehicle)

[chook]

I think I understand. You credit all your star alliance points to them and then use them to fly with other star alliance members? IF they do the max then that is a very smart idea.

Are you ever stuck by the "Fly America" act on your travels? That kills me the most on my traveling, and how do you find the many segmented Y-up flights? I learend about the yup and qup flights today, but never seen them for a good deal.

Thanks.

[Hartmann]

I think I understand. You credit all your star alliance points to them and then use them to fly with other star alliance members? IF they do the max then that is a very smart idea.

Are you ever stuck by the "Fly America" act on your travels? That kills me the most on my traveling, and how do you find the many segmented Y-up flights? I learend about the yup and qup flights today, but never seen them for a good deal.

Thanks.

To find the Y-UPs you can use FareCompare's tool or if you're running Windows, there is a piece of software called KVS. KVS takes a little more time but gives far more information. The biggest thing to understand when booking Q-UPs is the fare rules.

I only credit to BMI those flights that would be most beneficial in their program (after I've qualified for Plat on Continental or the Y-UPs). I've never been restricted by Fly America. While working at Shell I was required to fly Continental because we had a corporate arrangement with them for all travel. My last job just required the cheapest fare, which, when you're flying at the last minute a lot is usually a full fare Y ticket.