Here is how ANA describes their frequent flyer offerings - "You can get mileage not only by using flights of ANA, Air Nippon and other tie-up airlines, but also by various activities such as shopping, eating meals, joining tours or using hotels or rental cars provided by ANA's tie-up companies." I am assuming that tie-up is another way of saying partner.

All Nippon Airways is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and is the country's largets domestic airline. Its earliest predecessor was Japan (Nippon) Helicopter and Aeroplane, which began services in December 1953. The company changed its name to All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. but the IATA airline code, NH, comes from the original name of the airline. ANA currently flies to 49 destinations in Japan and operates 22 international routes in Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe.

ANA Mileage Club recently made some changes to the program, including changes to the earning and burning chart. All earning and redemptions take into account the season and are now based on the distance of the flight instead of award zones, so each award flight will be calculated individually. While this new system complicates the way awards are calculated, it also means that earn and burn rates correlate more closely to the flight distance and seasonality.

Earnings ability

Members earn actual miles flown when paying full coach fares and 70 percent on discounted coach fares. Premium class passengers will earn an additional 25-50 percent of miles flown, depending on the distance they fly.

ANA Mileage Club has teamed up with many different partners and members can earn miles for car rentals, hotel stays, credit card spending, retail purchases and participating in other partner activities

Plenty of japanese partners from house moving... to pet services!

Redemption ability

In short - they have some unique earning options which can be very useful - ie 60k from Australia to USA on United or Asiana (interesting routings ie via Anchorage). But.. hard to earn those important miles in order to redeem compared to other programs. I got mine through the 55,555 promo.

Figuring out how many miles are required for a Japan domestic flight award can be complicated, since awards vary based on the flight distance, number of segments and season. To calculate an award, you will need to to log in to your Mileage Club account and enter your point of origination and destination(s) into ANA's online mileage award calculator, which will then determine whether the flight will occur in low, regular or high season and how many miles will be needed for each segment. A nonstop roundtrip coach award ticket of less than 600 miles during low season requires 11,000 miles, the cheapest flight award, whereas a coach flight over 2,000 miles during high season will require 23,000 miles. One-way award flights are not available.

International flight awards are based on the season and the distance of the entire itinerary, regardless of destination. A flight award can contain up to eight segments and at least two segments must be international. The mileage requirement is based on the highest season, so if one segment occurs during low season and another segment during regular season, the entire itinerary will be calculated at the regular season rate. A coach roundtrip flight between Tokyo and San Francisco will be 40,000 miles in low season, 50,000 miles in regular season and 60,000 in high season. The same flight in business will require 70,000 miles in low season, 80,000 miles in regular season and 90,000 in high season; first class is 110,000 miles regardless of season. Award requirements for first class international flights do not change according to season.

Upgrade awards are only available on ANA operated flights and are calculated by the segment distance. One-way upgrades start at 12,000 miles for a coach to business class upgrade for up to a 2,000-mile flight. A business to first class upgrade is 20,000 miles on the same flight. Elite members can use points to upgrade, one point per domestic flight and two points for international routes. Star Alliance upgrade awards are available from 12,000 miles.

In addition to flight awards, members with addresses in Japan can redeem miles for gift awards, such as a watch, coffee maker, handbag or wallet for 10,000 miles each. Members can also convert 10,000 miles into a $100 "ANA GIFT" certificate. Mileage Club members located in Japan also have the option of converting miles into 10,000 yen of electronic money, which can be used at more than 49,000 shops throughout Japan, or 2,000 Mizuho Mileage Club points.

ANA Value Vouchers are available for 20,000 miles for 30,000 yen. Vouchers can be used towards the cost of ANA flights, ANA hotels and in-flight shopping. Mileage Club members can also redeem 12,000 miles for a $100 gift card from retailers such as Macy's, Crate & Barrel and GAP.

ANA Mileage Club does not offer a miles plus money award option or car rental, hotel or other types of awards.

Partnerships

When Air Canada entered bankruptcy in April of 2003, there was plenty of worry in the Great White North. After all, the nation's flagship carrier had the only traditional frequent flyer program in the country - Aeroplan. As time went on, the carrier eventually managed to emerge from the financial doldrums. In the meantime, though, some interesting things happened with Aeroplan.

For starters, it was shopped around as a separate business and rumors continue to swirl that it may yet stand alone. (This isn't terribly surprising - despite Air Canada's woes, Aeroplan has always been a cash cow.)

And many industry watchers seemed to see a distancing of Aeroplan from Air Canada - the program completely re-branded itself, and dramatically increased the number of non-flight awards.

Even the flyer-only portion of the program underwent significant changes.

And a more recent update:

Air Canada celebrates its 70th year anniversary this year and recently received the "Best Airline in North America" and "Best Airline in Canada" awards from readers of Global Traveler magazine. Air Canada's Aeroplan has been given two Freddie Awards for making innovative decisions. In 2003, Aeroplan received an industry impact award for its decision to allow elite members to choose their benefits and customize their elite package. Last year, Aeroplan received an award for its decision to make the program public via an initial public offering. The move has proven to be financially successful and shareholders are satisfied with the new arrangement, but what does Aeroplan have to offer its frequent flyers?

Earning ability

Outside of an inexplicable fondness for David Hasselhoff, Germans know quality. Witness the Lufthansa Miles & More program.

Lufthansa German Airlines launched its frequent flyer program in 1993, and since then, it's grown to over 7 million members, primarily because it's one of the most generous of European programs. And that's good, because it's the frequent flyer program of four European programs -- Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines Group (Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways), and LOT Polish Airlines.

About the program...

Juggernaut n (n) 1. An overwhelming, advancing force. 2. Lufthansa's Miles & More program.In the past four years, Miles & More has grown from the already large frequent flyer program of Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines to a loyalty program of gigantic proportions. Today, it is the exclusive program of Lufthansa, Austrian, Adria Airways, Air Dolomiti, Air One, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, and Swiss International Air Lines. Its membership has exploded.

Of course, not every member had a choice. Swiss TravelClub members, for instance, were simply integrated into the program this year.

But there have been relatively few complaints. With a huge partner list, generous elite benefits, and reasonable earning and redeeming levels, Miles & More may well be one of the best programs in Europe.

Earning capabilities

As of December 2000, the Varig Smiles program maintained partnerships with 139 companies, including hotels, car rental agencies, restaurants, etc. All told, these partnerships earned revenues for Varig in excess of US$55.1 million in 2000, an increase of 37% over 1999 partnership revenues (US$40.1 million). This illustrates just how profitable frequent flyer programs can be for the airlines -- even relatively small airlines.

Something a little newer!

The current malaise in the airline industry is not limited to the United States. Witness Varig (Viacao Aerea Rio Grandense), Brazil's largest international carrier, which is struggling to emerge from bankruptcy. Just last month, in fact, creditors approved a bankruptcy reorganization plan that calls for the company to sell units to cut its debt. Varig is seeking buyers after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the government would not bail out the 79-year-old carrier.

Then again, there is hope. Varig still owns a huge portion of the market, and its membership in the Star Alliance is a win-win for both the company and its customers. And Smiles, Varig's long-running frequent flyer program, continues to offer solid incentives to its members to keep flying.

Members can earn miles on Varig, Star Alliance, or non-alliance partner airlines. Generally, members earn one mile for each mile actually flown, with a 25-percent bonus for business class, and a 50-percent bonus in first class. Short hops earn a minimum of 500 miles. Accrual rates may vary by partner, and are subject to the rules of the partner's particular program.

In addition, Smiles boasts a huge complement of credit card partners in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. Only a few are Varig-branded; most have independent programs with points that can converted into Smiles miles. Rates vary, but tend to hover around one point per U.S. dollar spent, with each point convertible into one mile.

Award choices..

Virgin Atlantic is, by almost any standard, an excellent airline and most flyers who have shared the "Virgin experience" have been consistently satisfied. Conde Nast has rated it number two in the world (behind Singapore, owner of 49 percent of Virgin's stock).

And Flying Club is an excellent program. A recent alliance with Delta Air Lines, a determined effort to streamline its elite-level program and a steady focus on customer care have helped the program do what all loyalty programs should do; create loyalty.

Something more recent..

Hardly the kind of greeting you'd expect from an airline Web site, but then again, Virgin Atlantic is no ordinary airline.

The always-innovative, often-cheeky brainchild of Sir Richard Branson has become an international favorite in its 22 years. Certainly, there have been some stumbles. Mouth-shaped urinals didn't exactly fly, and changing tables on some planes had to be removed (they were being used by some customers for decidedly "un-virgin" like activities).

But Branson and his baby have always been about pushing the envelope.

Virgin's flying club loyalty program seems to be as well-liked as the airline itself. We have rarely, if ever, received such near-universal praise from members of any program. It seems that somehow, flying club has managed to offer all the benefits that its leviathan rivals do, while maintaining a irreverent but customer-centric feel.

Earning earning EARRRRNING!

Timing is everything.

Before now, a full explanation of Virgin's earning structure would have required the caveat that frugal flyers in discounted economy couldn't earn miles.

Not so anymore. Among a number of changes effective March 1, even struggling magazine editors can earn 50 percent of miles flown in the cheapest seats.

Of course, to the American pallet, that might not be ideal; after all, every major U.S. program offers 100 percent of miles flown in discount economy. But when you consider that many international airlines don't give any miles for discount economy, and that Virgin's competitor British Airways only doles out 25 percent of miles flown in the cheap seats, a 50 percent earn rate is at least understandable. Other economy fares earn a full 100 percent of miles flown. Premium Economy class will net 150 percent, and you snobs in Upper Class can bank on a full 200-percent bonus.

Earning ratios on partner airlines vary, but flying club members will generally earn about 100 percent in economy class and from 150 to 200 percent in business or first class.

Virgin also now offers two credit cards exclusive to flying club members in the UK. One earns one mile per pound spent, and the other, two miles. We'll let you guess which one has no annual fee.

Where can u go with your miles?

The program essentially is for those who fly south of the border from time to time or who are resident in South America. Those who fly frequently would be better advised to concentrate their efforts with an American perk-laden program. Nevertheless, Mexicana Frecuenta is a program to be reckoned with and has kept abreast of changes over the years, most recently getting rid of its expiring kilometers policy. Being the other half of the Mexican duopoly, the program could have been accused of being more worried about its domestic competition as opposed to its global competition, but it’s alliances should give the program a more global perspective. Mexicana award levels are low, making them fairly easy to reach. The enrollment bonus is very generous and makes Mexicana an enticing choice for beginners.

Although, I was a Star Alliance Gold Member of them for 2 years... and was a great program, whilst they were part of the Star Alliance - alas no more!

Ability to earn..

United launched Mileage Plus just six days after its forerunner, AAdvantage, and is the second largest program with over 50 million members. United alone flies to more than 200 domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. and when you add in the flight routes of Star Alliance member carriers, Mileage Plus members have access to an additional 855 destinations in 155 countries worldwide.

United Mileage Plus is the second-oldest frequent flyer program in the industry, having launched on May 7, 1981, exactly 144 hours after American AAdvantage went live. Its membership is estimated at 40 million plus -- slightly more than the combined populations of New York and Texas (what an interesting combination that would be). And with the "B-word" looming in the background like an overzealous proctologist, many of those 40 million members are running scared.

Is that fear well-founded? Perhaps. But keeping just a portion of Mileage Plus members happy and loyal will go a long way toward saving United Airlines.

And some more news...

Mileage Plus offers a refreshingly simple array of award choices -- Standard awards, Saver awards and Upgrades. And until recently, short-haul trips (750 miles or less) could be had for just 15,000 miles. That limited-time offer ended in December, but don't be surprised if you see it again. We’ve seen it before and Our Amazing Crystal Ball of Fearless Prognostication tells us that it's too much of a win-win proposition to disappear forever.

Saver awards let you enjoy free travel sooner, as they can be had for the fewest miles. Of course, the flip side of "fewest" miles is that these awards come with the most restrictions, including capacity controls. A basic domestic coach ticket is available for 25,000 miles (relatively standard within the United States), and awards to Europe (50,000 miles) and Asia (80,000 miles) are roughly the same as on other large domestic carriers.

Standard awards offer the flexibility to fly any time seats are available for the flight and cabin of service requested. Blackout dates and capacity control restrictions do not apply. Again, Mileage Plus is within the big-carrier ballpark with its award levels here. Its coach-class ticket to Europe, for example, is 100,000 miles. But if you're just looking for an on-the-spot domestic economy trip, you're looking at about 50,000 miles – twice as many miles as a Saver award.

Upgrades on United tend to be more "expensive" in terms of miles than some other carriers. For example, a basic upgrade from full-fare economy to the next class of service will run you 8,000 miles domestically. On rival American, that same upgrade is just 5,000 miles.

But then again, in an era where smaller commuter jets without premium classes of service are most common domestically, there aren't always many opportunities to upgrade domestically.

Now that you've thought about awards... you'll need to earn some miles to get there, don't forget you can get on your way with these exclusive discounted deals I have got from ebookers.com (part of Travelport in the USA), you will struggle to find cheaper:

The KING of partnerships... United Mileage Plus

Qantas could be described as leader of the pack in the land down under. Bear in mind, however, that British Airways does have a financial stake in the airline, so it is likely that wherever BA goes, Qantas will probably follow. A member of the oneworld alliance, Qantas has been proactively scouting out partners as diverse as mortgage companies to add to its partner list. It was also one of the first airline programs to allow members to book award travel online.

Frequent Flyer members can now look forward to increased convenience, expanded earning potential and fewer restrictions. With 18 airlines, 43 hotels, four rental car companies, six charge cards, a phone card company, an insurance company and even a wine club comprising its partner list, one might say Qanta-ty prevails at Qantas. The program boasts over 2.4 million members.

Some more recent news...