Having a think about it, I have many more frequent flyer cards than I really should. The whole purpose of a frequent flyer card is to earn and burn miles with your chosen airline.

The card attaches you to an airline and hopefully makes you continue spending money with them. That being said, some people boast of having high status with all alliances which begs the question – why?

My Cards

Qantas Frequent Flyer is the first programme I joined as an Australian. Probably a good choice since the competition ended up going bankrupt in 2001. I reached Gold status – oneworld Sapphire – with them and held it for many years. Once I moved to Ireland, I switched.


The British Airways Executive Club is now my frequent flyer programme of choice. I rather like the oneworld alliance and this allowed me to be a member of a programme located near my new home in Ireland.

But Wait, There’s More!

Flying Aer Lingus a lot at one stage meant I joined their Gold Circle Club. I actually reached their base status through a status match when they offered even bmi blue members a match to their lowest level. Today I use the successor programme, AerClub to collect Avios in Ireland.

My reason for being a bmi member? I joined solely to get the card so I could match to Aer Lingus. Next, I have an Iberia Plus card which is useful for decreased redemption rates on British Airways flights but I am yet to use it for that.


When I flew KLM recently to test their service, I joined FlyingBlue. It goes against the grain to fly and not earn miles so I credited my one flight to that programme.

I also have a totally unused Aeroflot Bonus card, an unused LANPass membership and an Alaska Airlines account which I also have never used. I flew Alaska First Class once and wanted to again but my need to earn properly with British Airways meant I flew American Airlines instead.

Is It An Addiction Or What?

That is eight different programmes across two alliances which is rather over the top. I have no card for Star Alliance but I also never fly airlines in this alliance. I restrict myself to oneworld (the best alliance as far as I am concerned) and I am happy doing so.

It would make sense for me to cancel some of these cards, but there is no real reason to do so. All of these cards I have collected over the years – I’ve not really needed to do it nor did I go on some joining binge. Not addicted to being an airline whore, but definitely addicted to flying!

Overall Thoughts

How many frequent flyer programmes are you a member of? If there is more than one, is there a reason why you are a member of more than one? Which one is your favourite and why?

Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.

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Featured image by Brian Gaid via Unsplash.