next »

[daniel_von_flanagan]

Many (or even most) of the BMI and Lufthansa flights across the Atlantic are actually operated by United these days.

I'm flying on United this year because I am angry at AA (they expired 70k of my miles recently without warning me) and NWA was inexplicably far higher than the others.  This was the year I was going to give flyglobespan a try, but the dates didn't work.  - DvF

[scotia]

Many (or even most) of the BMI and Lufthansa flights across the Atlantic are actually operated by United these days.

The Chicago - Manchester flight is still BMI. They have been the best transatlantic airline I have flown in the last few years and definitely much, much better than the United flight we connected to in Chicago.

[daniel_von_flanagan]

The Chicago - Manchester flight is still BMI. They have been the best transatlantic airline I have flown in the last few years and definitely much, much better than the United flight we connected to in Chicago.

This isn't saying much; even the United flights to Heathrow are more pleasant than the United domestic flights.  US domestic flights have become remarkably unpleasant in recent years.  - DvF

[rhetorical]

That's a good idea to try Star Alliance, science_expat.  I would probably also have a better chance at finding a seat and avoiding blackout dates, which can be tricky when trying to use miles.  I'm like DvF when it comes to anger at losing miles.  USAir expired my miles (along with my family members) very abruptly.  Still, I'm tempted to start earning miles with BA (I have missed opportunities to earn quite a few miles with them already, since I travel over fairly often).  Has anyone had any experience with BA's frequent flyer program?

[jwormold]

Rhetorical, get thee over to flyertalk for more than you ever wanted to know about BA Exec Club.

The Ultimate BA Guide is a good place to start:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=721790

NB, CHE forumuties are a warm and fuzzy bunch in comparison.

PS, unless you can get an E+ seat on United (do they even do those on international flights?) take either Virgin or BA. Or BMI. Both are far better. Lufthansa is better than most American carriers, but not as pleasant as the Brits. But if you end up on LH, credit the miles to either BMI, United, or USAirways (LH only gives a tiny part of miles for cheap tickets).

[bacardiandlime]

I don't know your budget, but American Airlines allows you to book on their website an economy ticket one-way and business-class the other way. If one of your flights is overnight (which, transatlantic, one almost certainly will be), and you can afford it, it might be worth considering.

AFAIK, BA doesn't allow you to do this (two classes of travel in the one ticket, at least not through their site when I tried).

If money's the issue, just go with the cheapest. But do watch out for Delta, Continental, (northwest too?), still having just the one big screen (which may or may not be functioning...) rather than personal tvs. (I find I can't concentrate enough to read on flights so depend on the movie selection)

[scotia]

But do watch out for Delta, Continental, (northwest too?), still having just the one big screen (which may or may not be functioning...) rather than personal tvs. (I find I can't concentrate enough to read on flights so depend on the movie selection)

The last American flight I took also had overhead screens (I would not have described them as 'big'), which were not visible from the window seat I ended up in having swapped with a little boy who wanted to watch Harry Potter.

[wegie]

I don't know your budget, but American Airlines allows you to book on their website an economy ticket one-way and business-class the other way. If one of your flights is overnight (which, transatlantic, one almost certainly will be), and you can afford it, it might be worth considering.

AFAIK, BA doesn't allow you to do this (two classes of travel in the one ticket, at least not through their site when I tried).

You can certainly do it now on European flights. As I booked outbound Club Europe and back in Economy for the trip I'm currently taking.

Still, I'm tempted to start earning miles with BA (I have missed opportunities to earn quite a few miles with them already, since I travel over fairly often).  Has anyone had any experience with BA's frequent flyer program?

BA's pretty stingy with the miles and tier points unless you pony up for Premium Economy or better. If you buy a discounted economy ticket (which is what you get if you just select economy-lowest price on the web site), you get 1/4 of the miles travelled and no tier points. Since you need 600 tier points for guaranteed lounge access, this can leave you taking a large heap of BA flights with nothing to show for it but a pile of useless miles.

[rhetorical]

Thanks for the advice about BA frequent flyer miles.  I tend to think that the whole frequent flyer routine rarely pays off (except for the airlines).  Still, I'll probably remain a BA customer as long as the overall experience is fairly decent.  Of course, I say that as a pessimist about flying in general.  I'm always quite astonished when I get where I am going in one piece!

[wegie]

The FF thing can occasionally pay off. If you do manage to claw your way to gold status with BA, the benefits are not inconsiderable . . . (sigh, WH is only silver this year)

[avidreader]

I have never taken a transatlantic BA flight I didn't enjoy. AA has been all right in the past, but Continental was downright unpleasant (no leg room at all, couldn't see the video, and the seat didn't recline enough to really sleep). I am trying US Airways this month and am trying not to expect too much.

Just wondering, has anyone on here ever tried booking the "companion flies free" deal offered to those with a BA credit card?