If starting from scratch what Rewards Program would you use.

We managed to get our first upper class flight a few months back and loved it. It was saved up (60,000 each) over a number of years through flights to America, surveys and shopping etc. Obviously I want to try it again but when booking the last flight and looking at future flight it just looks harder and more expensive to get them with Virgin.

Quick example vegas in november £600 ish lowest economy (I remember getting the same flight 5 years ago for £230) upgradeable economy £1800 ist :0 and very limited supply if your lucky.

We have 13k and 19k miles so its a start but was wondering for someone starting from scratch what program would you go for, BA, Virgin or AirMiles etc.

Also I dont use credit cards, hate them so cant earn that way.

[Nottingham Nick]

Why do you hate credit cards?

They are by far the easiest and cheapest way to acquire lots of FF points if you don't leave the ground. The current Amex Gold 20K bonus scheme being a classic example.

Other than that, you have to spend quite a lot of money. Hilton stays with the Hilton credit card or hire lots of cars.

If I was starting from scratch I would certainly go for Amex points, as they can be converted to several airlines - sometimes with a nice bonus.

If you retain your aversion to credit cards, then Air Miles may be the best way to go, but I know very little about them.


Nick

As an infrequent flyer who doesn't want a credit card you're always going to struggle.

If you stay in hotels through work then BMI can be a good programme, up to 3,000 miles for a three night stay whereas VS would get you just 1,000 or BA 500 miles. Then again, the future of the programme is unclear due to the Lufty merger. The scheme currently offers miles plus cash options which can help and some of the rewards can be pretty attractive. But their business class is not UC.

I switched most of mine to BA over two years ago. Tesco spending, credit card spend and hotel stays gets me enough for a first class return every year for 2 using a 241 voucher which comes after £10k spend on the card (fee £150). BA also have miles plus cash options. I think Club World is OK, still prefer UC. But First is usually very good! VS PE seat beats BA WT+ hands down. The main reasons for switching though were increased destinations and the ease of adding connecting flights from the regions which was becoming far more problematic with VS.

Like you, I hate credit cards but I'm disciplined enough to only put things on the card I would have spent cash for, and pay the balance off in full every month.

I think they are probably the only options direct with a flying programme. Apparently AIRMILES can be good as the taxes are included, but I haven't bothered with that for years. And as Nick says, MR is good and doesn't tie you to one programme.

HTH
Regards
R3dV

Depends on how your going to mass your miles like Nick said the Amex gold offer for 20k in miles would help and as he so rightly pointed out when converting there is sometimes a bonus.

Hotel stays wise Hilton have a bad return to Airline flying miles I have something like 20k miles and barely worth 1500 Virgin Miles. For hotel stays I would suggest Sheraton (SPG) 1:1 ratio and the 5k bonus on 20k converts soon builds up. and allows the freedom to transfer to multiple airlines

Air miles wise alot of spending when you put into perspective 1 mile for every £10 on AMEX/1 for every £50 on Mastercard. If you use LLOYDS credit card. Tesco/ other earning opportunities are OK but still need to spend quite considerably to earn and would suit BA more than Virgin or using those on.

Id still stick with Virgin tbh, the product is much better. Upgradable fares sometimes wouldn't be the cheapest way ie buy one sale fare and one 100k reward flight, the call center staff can be very helpful on that matter. Is there not a flexible fare below the fully flexible you could purchase to upgrade, or use LAX/SFO and fly Virgin America to LAS? Then you get the Heathrow clubhouse!

Good luck on making your decision!

Platinum Leo

You have the start of a nice base mileage to do something with.
I like Nick tend to query your aversion to Cards, unless for different reasons.
You need to "play the game" to your advantage. Be very robust in terms of paying off ALL balances each month- It then basically means you are being given a lot of miles for nothing (your spend would of happened anyway?). Think on about partner stuff- online shopping: easy win, Texaco fuel- easy win..etc etc

Its been seen on here before, are you checking the right fare code for "qualifying fares" to use you miles?? NEVER do it off the front Screen on the VS website: You'll just be given sky high Flex fares.
On the assumption you are toying with Upgrade options- needs to be through that page on the flying club section in "spend miles"

Airmiles, IMHO look rubbish- very generic... you could spend forever building up a balance that may get you a single flight to Prague

BA, close call against VS, one background advantage you can convert Tesco vouchers to BA miles (although redemption rates have dropped)

All hinges on what you want to achieve with them. BA does have the advantage of a wider network and *A, and less limiting use for their FC.. But many a note about downsides as well..to which others may comment..

NH

Thanks all, the problem with the credit card is getting one being self employed make it hard as hell getting them, but as yous have said its the best way to collect.

I would say move to collecting the BA points as its easier to get rewards like CE and a low 20k for CW upgrades to the middle east, also can have a household account to pool points unlike VS.

cheers

alex

Interesting topic.

VS makes a big splash over winning some sort of "best rewards scheme" thingy - there must be a reason for that?

Or, is that award some SRB sponsored event!!!

Another vote for Amex MR points. If you need to top-up your balance by buying some miles, they don't levy a £15 surcharge unlike the airlines e.g. the first 1000=£30 - Amex MR points can be had for £15 per 1000 - not even sure if there is a limit on purchase?

Has anyone got any info on the Amex gold 20k offer mentioned here?

Also, under MR points don't you earn 1 mile per £1 rather than 2 per £1 on the MBNA black Amex which I use?

here you go

do it via a cash back site like quidco and get £60 back which reduces the 1st year charge. Am doing it for a year simply for the 20k bonus miles as works out then (with cashback as 20kmiles for £ 30.

If your not in Quidco send me a PM and I'll refer you so we both get something extra from them

Thanks for the link.

Other than the 20k miles, what's the benefit of the Amex Gold over the Black Virgin card?

Thanks for the link.

Other than the 20k miles, what's the benefit of the Amex Gold over the Black Virgin card?

Not a lot (even less if you plan to spend lots on VS), but remember it's a charge card as opposed to a credit card, and the balance has to be paid in full at each bill cycle.
DL

[Nottingham Nick]

The main advantage of the real Gold / Plat Amex cards over the VS cards, is that they are administered by American Express rather than MBNA, and have other benefits - including travel insurance, travel agency / concierge services, hotel/airline status etc etc.

The other benefit is that Amex Membership Reward points can either be spent with Amex, or converted to a host of airline / hotel schemes on a 1:1 basis.

As Tonty points out, they are charge cards rather than credit cards, and the other advantage is that the MBNA black Amex card offers the best pound for points earning potential.

Nick

As Tonty points out, they are charge cards rather than credit cards,
Nick

DL not Tonty FWIW ... ):