Which airline miles program should i join?

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CopyThat

I'd join a sky miles program with the airline I flew the most often. Where I live it's a no brainer because there is only 1 major airline that flies into my area.
If you don't fly that often, find out which airlines have a hub in your airport and base your decision on that information.
Good Luck :)

potatochip

Star Alliance is the largest and has the most members but if you are flying out of Houston, maybe join SkyTeam since Continental has its headquarters there. I know Delta flies to Mumbai and Delta and Continental are part of SkyTeam. I also hear Continental is the best US carrier in terms of international service.

Right now since you live in Dallas, you can still fly Continental and just connect somewhere such as in Newark and then fly to India.

passat_hobby

If I would live in TX I would join the DELTA or CONTINENTAL Frequent Flyer Program. Compare the conditions with other airlines.

comfortpassenger

Yeah, I don't blame you for avoiding OneWorld Alliance.

For people wondering why folks like you and I think they suck, I'll relate my personal experience:

Last month, I was trying to get to the United States from Asia to attend a funeral. I reserved a ticket on the American Airlines website, but it wouldn't issue an e-ticket. As a result, I called AA, and they told me to just get my ticket at the American Airlines counter at the airport in Ho Chi Minh City. There is no American Airlines counter at the airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Japan Airlines was partnering the flight, but I had to pay $2161 instead of the $990 fare that I had reserved the ticket under. Then the TV broke on the airplane. Then flight attendents kept bumping my aisle seat when I was trying to sleep and I was only able to watch them opening the coffee packets with their mouths as entertainment. Then, my flight was late and I missed the funeral.

When I contact customer service of each airline, they offer the following replies:

"I apologize for the confusion over your being told to go to the American Airlines ticket counter. However, you were subsequently correctly instructed to have your ticket issued by Japan Airlines. We understand that there was a discrepancy in the fare that you paid." -- Russell Shady, Customer Relations, American Airlines

"Japan Airlines should have been able to issue your ticket as quoted." -- Russell Shady, Customer Relations, American Airlines

"Please understand that our airport agent could not locate your reservation due to the fact that, as stated in your correspondence, American Airlines never issued the ticket you put on hold. Please note that it is the complete responsibility of the traveler and the party that you purchase your ticket from, in this case, American Airlines, to take the appropriate steps to properly issue one's ticket." -- Hiroyuki Ota, Director, Customer Service Support Center for The Americas, Japan Airlines

"While American Airlines does not have a ticket counter at the airport in Ho Chi Minh City, as a member of oneworldÂ®, Japan Airlines is able to issue tickets on behalf of American Airlines. We have resources available for our partners to access the applicable pricing information and process a ticket as priced. I am very sorry to hear that this was not done in Ho Chi Minh City." -- Russell Shady, Customer Relations, American Airlines

Financially raping a customer on the way to a funeral. REALLY nice Oneworld Alliance...

dcanon

It is free to sign up for airline miles so sign up with every airline that you fly!

jmp78

If you're flying to India then I suggest joining Singapore Airlines Krysflyer or UA Mileage Plus. Krysflyer free to join, not sure about membership fees for the account after the 1st year though.

You could fly United within the USA and then on Singapore Air to India connecting via Singapore (or UA direct to India if they do fly there).

Star Alliance is one of the best group of airlines around because of the network they cover, and the good airlines in there, namely Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand.

jazsprite

You should choose the airline/alliance you fly the most often. And you should also think about the rewards and how many miles you would get, and how many are required for a ticket. I am a member of United Milage plus. I have about 1,500 miles, and I have been a member for about a month, I just took a trip, and that is why I have the miles. I think they are pretty good, and United is pretty affordable sometimes for me. Frontier has a 15,000 mile reward program, so if you fly them alot you can get free tickets faster, but I like united even though you need 25,000 miles for a ticket

dustiejhammer

If close to DFW , join American. If you are close to Houston I would join Continental One pass.

jenkinsboyy

deffinatley delta skymiles.

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