Edd: airline clubs

[Edd]

Hey BJtraveller,
how many 'gold' cards do you have since you
travel so much. Which is best?
regards
dbase

[BJTraveller]

Never good at airline clubs, took lots samll airlines.

[Edd]

> Never good at airline clubs, took lots samll
> airlines.
Airline VIP clubs:

You should check out the airline clubs through
their web sites. Join them all! Especially the
big airlines. You pay a little more but the airplanes are new. The smaller discount airlines use
old planes and the maintenance is lousy. With a
'Gold' card from a group of airlines like 'Star
Alliance' one can use the VIP lounge at the airport of over 15 different airlines. One has
positive EV+. One can also get free tickets for
overseas and free up-grades. In the USA and Europe
it is very competitive but in Asia it is a positive expectation. However some airlines like
SQ.(Singapore) and Cathy one must fly full economy
class for credit. Not worth it. But UA(United)
they accept any ticket.
UA flies from HKG to SIN. Good prices. And from
SIN you can connect with many airlines. Also
TG(Thai) might offer some deals. I hate just
sitting at airports. The VIP lounges are great
place to relax.

regards

Edd

[BJTraveller]

Thanks. In fact, I joined all clubs worthy except some really small ones. I am a Silver VIP of Thai and have bought a round world ticket with KLM+Continental. My Platinum Credit card gives me a Priority Card which enable me using over 400 airport VIP rooms and I enjoyed it a lot. The problem was my travelling at many places such as S America, Russia with weird small airlines, LOL.

[Edd]

> Thanks. In fact, I joined all clubs worthy
> except some really small ones. I am a Silver
> VIP of Thai and have bought a round world
> ticket with KLM+Continental. My Platinum
> Credit card gives me a Priority Card which
> enable me using over 400 airport VIP rooms
> and I enjoyed it a lot. The problem was my
> travelling at many places such as S America,
> Russia with weird small airlines, LOL.

2005/01/26
BJtraveller,
I did not know about the Platinum Credit Card.
Must be AMEX? There is a web site prioritypass.
com...this is a yearly fee based card that gives
access to worldwide lounges. Cost around $250/yr.
Since AP players travel over 50,000 miles per yr.
it is good to have at least a gold card with one
airline. But this Platinum Card thing is excellent. It saves a lot of money joining different clubs. We spend a lot of time at airports and the clubs are very relaxing.

I remember once I had to spend 8hrs. at the
Singapore airport for a layover. I usually fly
'Star Alliance' but this time I got a cheap ticket
on a small carrier. I regret not having the
PriorityPass. 8 hrs. stuck.

AirTickets: by the way, how much are they charging for a 'round' the world ticket these
days. Is Bangkok still the best place to buy
tickets? It was in the 1990's. But I do not know
now. For the AP player travelling world-wide
cheap tickets and frequent flyer miles are almost
as important as winning. By the way, on Air
Canada(Star Alliance) one needs only 35k miles
for a Gold Card. Thai is 50k. I think United
also is 50k? Anyway I will let you get back to
work.
regards
dbase

[BJTraveller]

Platinum cards like gold cards for credit cards, Visa and Master all have it. For some reasons it is easy getting Platinum card in my country. Even a professional gambler (meant no official work) can get one. No fee for the credit card and Priority Pass. I think airlines offer similar rates for round-the-world tickets for different countries. I found similar prices from Bangkok and Taipei, 25k miles to 30k miles cost about US$26k before taxes.

[mr bojangles]

The last time I booked S. Africa was the cheapest place to buy a RTW ticket. However you need to be in S.A to purchase the ticket so will need a ticket to get there, and a ticket out ( Government requirement )

Personally I took a 'free' flight in, bought my RTW and then refunded the miles back to my account for the exiting flight.

I don' know if it is true of all countries but the RTW from S.A has to be in one direction, ie no criss-crossing back on yourself.

[BJTr]