Continuing our series on choosing the best loyalty programs — after hotels, it’s time for frequent flyer programs (FFPs).

Since FFPs can get complicated, we’ll take it slow — one at a time.
And we’re starting with one of my personal favourites: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (VS).

Why Virgin?
Because it offers insanely low mileage redemptions, great partner network access, and flexible earning/redemption options — especially relevant for Indian travelers. Virgin joined the SkyTeam alliance in March 2023, becoming the only UK-based airline in the group. But even before that, Flying Club stood out for its excellent redemption value, especially for India-based travelers.

Here are some of the best redemptions on Virgin-operated flights:

India to London (from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore):

Economy: 6,000 miles + £59

Premium Economy: 10,500 miles + £84

Business (Upper Class): 23,000 miles + £158

London to US East Coast (e.g. JFK, BOS):

Economy: 6,000 miles + £215

Premium Economy: 10,500 miles + £370

Business: 29,000 miles + £497

India to US (via London):

Economy: 12,000 miles + approx. £275

These are some of the lowest mileage requirements among all FFPs for these routes.

A Few Important Notes:

Virgin now uses a dynamic award, so these rates are for saver-level availability only. Booking early is key.

Taxes for inbound flights to India are much higher due to UK’s Air Passenger Duty — return economy redemptions can cost ~£193 just in taxes.

Mumbai often shows better award availability (especially in business) compared to Delhi and Bangalore.

Virgin flies A350-1000 and B787-9 on India routes — the A350 has a better business class product.

VS regularly releases up to 9 saver award seats per cabin on many flights — great for families.

Use Virgin’s Reward Seat Finder tool to explore month-wise availability easily.

We’ve all spent time figuring out the best credit cards for rewards and milestones, but sometimes picking the right hotel loyalty program or frequent flyer partner can make an even bigger difference in your travels.

Let’s break it down.
Starting with hotel loyalty programs.
Frequent flyer programs coming up later. 1. All Accor – The most famous hotel loyalty club among Indian travellers, and for all the right reasons

All Accor is one of the most widely used hotel loyalty programs in India. It’s also a transfer partner for many Indian credit cards including:

• HDFC – 2:1 transfer rate (1.67% to 16.67% reward rate)
• Axis Bank – 5:2, 5:4, 1:2, 1:4 depending on the card (4% to 14%)
• HSBC – 1:1 transfer (3%)

The beauty of Accor lies in its no-nonsense redemption system.
Every 2000 Accor points = 40 EUR (roughly ₹1.9 to ₹2 per point).
There are no award charts or blackout dates. You search for a date, book, and redeem at this flat rate — either during booking or even at checkout.

You can also redeem points for most hotel-billed incidentals like dining, spa, and other in-house expenses. Third-party services like airport transfers and activities aren’t eligible — or I would have definitely tried using points for the helicopter ride over Uluwatu during my stay at Raffles Bali 😄

Another thing that makes Accor a top choice is their paid programs, especially Accor Plus.
You can know more about it here:
x.com/cards_wizard/s…

Accor Plus is a paid membership where:
• You get status nights (to help qualify for elite status)
• Dining discounts across participating hotels
• A Stay Plus voucher that gives you one free night per year at select properties
Note: This free night is only available on eligible dates and limited properties.

Another interesting program is Accor Absolute (based in Brazil), which lets you purchase points at a decent rate and gives you additional benefits that can help you reach elite status faster.

There are also programs like ALL Plus Voyager and ALL Plus Ibis, which help frequent business travellers get discounts across specific Accor brands.

What can go wrong with Accor?
Elite status recognition can sometimes be hit or miss.

What’s good?
Accor has a broad portfolio of brands from budget to luxury, so it’s easy to earn and redeem whether you’re a business traveller or on vacation.
The simple cash-equivalent redemption structure is a big win.
That simplicity is Accor’s biggest strength.

Personal Favourite Brand
Sofitel — consistent service, great elite recognition (in most properties), and good value overall.

Personal Tip
While it’s always nice to hold elite status, Accor is one of the few programs I wouldn’t go out of my way to mattress run or stack multiple paid memberships just to qualify.

I’ve done that before and realised it wasn’t really worth it.
Elite treatment can be inconsistent, and sometimes just a polite email before your stay works better than a shiny tier.

Its true power is in how easy it is to redeem points — just book, stay, and redeem.

In January, our family embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Oman—a Middle Eastern gem that’s perfect for families. From golden deserts to turquoise wadis, ancient forts to turtle spotting, Oman is a treasure trove of experiences. Here’s why it should be on your travel bucket list! 🐪🐢 #Oman #FamilyTravel 🏙️ Muscat: Our journey began in the capital, where we stumbled upon the Muscat Nights Festival. Qurum Park was transformed into a floral wonderland, with stunning flower decorations, a mesmerizing drone show, and food stalls offering everything from Omani dishes to Indian favorites like dosa and idli. The kids loved cycling around the park, and it was the perfect start to our trip. 🌸✨

Tired of all the credit card recommendations but still unsure how to turn them into a discounted holiday? This thread might be just what you need!

Big thanks to @CCMiles2Go for sharing invaluable country-wise FFP recommendations, which inspired me to go deeper and help you outline a complete vacation plan with card rewards. If you're not following him, you're missing some seriously good content!

So here’s the deal: I’ll walk you through picking a country, choosing the right credit cards, and strategically targeting the best FFP or hotel loyalty program. Plus, I’ll give you a rough estimate of the points you’ll need and show you how to optimize your spending for the trip you want.

For this thread, we’re planning for two people, tailoring card recommendations accordingly. And remember, even discounted travel with an elevated experience requires dedicated spending—there’s no free lunch for international vacations!

If that sounds good, let’s dive in. Enjoy the thread!

#ccgeeks #travelhacks #cardrewards #FFPstrategies The country we’re picking this time is an all-time favorite for Indians: Singapore! 🇸🇬

Let’s dive into flight options and the best Frequent Flyer Programs (FFPs) for getting there:

Major airlines flying to Singapore:

Singapore Airlines
Economy: 20k miles per person, per way
Spontaneous Escapes Deal: 14k miles per person, per way
FFP: KrisFlyer
For those from Southern India:
Air India flies from Bangalore (BLR) and Chennai (MAA) for just 13k miles. This can be a great option if you're able to find availability for two.

FFP: Air India Flying Returns (Maharaja Club)

Recommendation:

If you're flying from BLR or MAA, check Air India first.
If you're from North India, KrisFlyer’s Spontaneous Escapes at 14k miles could be your best bet.

Bonus Tip: If you’re booking at 20k miles, consider using Singapore Airlines’ stopover feature to visit another destination. For example:

DEL-SIN-DPS-SIN-DEL
Cost: 40k miles per person for both Bali & Singapore!
For our calculations:
Let’s assume 13k miles on Air India or 14k miles with KrisFlyer’s Spontaneous Escapes deal.

Airfare for 2 (round trip): 52k / 56k miles

#ccgeek #ccgeeks #freeTravel #cardpower

From economy to business, and now to the top: Singapore Airlines SQ Suites! ✨ Experiencing the finest in air travel, and it’s everything you'd imagine—privacy, luxury, and unmatched service. 🛫 Let’s dive into the journey, from takeoff to touchdown, in this thread! 🧵👇 #ccgeeks #SQSuites #FlyingFirst #MileageGameStrong #ccgeek Check-in experience? Next level! ✨ Singapore Airlines has a separate First Class reception area in both Terminal 2 & 3 at Changi. For Terminal 3, take a left from Gate 1D and you enter an almost private check-in zone. A service rep and porter greet you, assist with your luggage, and escort you to the check-in desk. Within seconds, you’re checked in and ready for the next phase of luxury! 🛫

After check-in, immigration is a breeze. With priority access, you skip the lines and head straight through in no time—stress-free and seamless! 🛂

Then, it’s time for the Private Room, Singapore Airlines' exclusive First Class lounge at Changi’s Terminal 3. 🛋️ Tucked away inside the SilverKris Lounge, it’s an oasis of calm. Fine dining, champagne, and ultimate comfort while you wait for boarding—talk about setting the tone for luxury! 🍽️🥂

#SQSuites #FirstClassCheckIn #ChangiAirport

Want to earn loyalty points and airmiles, but not keen on getting into the complex reward structure of credit cards? 😅

No worries! There are ways to stack up points just through your everyday shopping, and sometimes even without spending a dime. 😉

Let's dive into the world of affiliate shopping to earn some sweet airmiles & hotel points! ✨

While there are hundreds of ways to do this, we’ll cover a few simple ones to get you started. 💡 Feel free to drop your tips in the comments! And yes, we’ll explore other cool ways to score rewards too.

#ccgeek #ccgeeks #TravelHacks #PointsCollector #LoyaltyPrograms Let’s start with everyone’s favorite points machine, Accor! 🏨

Want to earn Accor points without lifting a suitcase? 💼 You can rack up points just by booking activities on Klook through their Accor link. Yup, even your sightseeing gets you closer to that dream suite upgrade! 😎🌍



And if you’re not in the mood to spend, how about earning points for just sharing your opinions? 💬 With e-Rewards, you get rewarded for talking! 📝 Check it out here—and trust me, filling out surveys is way more rewarding than scrolling through 100 cat videos (okay, maybe not that rewarding, but close!).



If you’re serious about earning big, grab the Absolute Membership. It’s like hitting "elite status" in life! 💪 Already spilled the beans on it in this post: Go check it out—you’ll thank me when you’re sipping champagne in the executive lounge. 🍾



Affiliate shopping, surveys, and memberships—Accor’s got you covered without even booking a room! 🛏️

#AccorHotels #LoyaltyPoints #ccgeeks #PointsAddict #SurveySlayer #AffiliateShoppingKing #ccgeekcollections.accor.com/en/entertainme…
e-rewards.com

https://x.com/VoyageBliss/status/1827061536139178427

Just ticked off a bucket list experience at one of Marriott's most exclusive and expensive properties—JW Marriott Masai Mara! 🌍💎 If you're dreaming of luxury safaris, this is the place. Stunning tented suites, epic game drives, and personalized service in the heart of the Mara! Would you add this to your bucket list? 🦁✨ #MarriottLuxury #BucketListAdventures #ccgeek #ccgeeks JW Marriott Masai Mara offers the ultimate luxury safari experience with 22 tented suites, each overlooking the serene Talek River 🏞️. Nestled in the Masai Mara National Reserve, the lodge is just a 30-40 minute drive from Keekorok Airstrip and 20 km from the Sekenani Gate. Perfect for spotting wildlife all year long! You’ll experience an intimate, secluded, and luxurious stay with stunning views and exclusive vibes, making this the perfect base for your safari adventure. 🦒🦓 #SafariGoals #LuxuryInTheWild #ccgeek #ccgeeks

Hey #ccgeeks, confused between so many credit cards and where to spend with which card? 🤔
I'm sharing my personal credit card spending pattern. Check it out if it suits you! 🏦✨

First up, my spends are on the higher side but not high enough to get consistent high returns from Magnus Burgundy after mitigating the opportunity cost and all. 📈
I'm into airmiles & hotel points, so cashback lovers, you won't find much in this post. 🛫🏨

Let's dive in! 🚀 #ccgeek #ccgeeks Utilities, Groceries & Fuel - One of the highest rewarding categories 💡⛽️

For my electricity bills, Jio Fiber, mobile recharges, gas, water, etc., I use Amazon Pay. I have a high Amazon Pay requirement each month, so I use my Amex cards for this:

First ₹6,000 with Gold Charge gives 26.6%
Remaining with my Plat Charge gives 12.5%

Yes, I consider 1 Amex point as ₹1 as that's what I got in all of my redemptions. 💳

For fuel, I use Amazon Pay too, with ICICI Fastag or HP Pay vouchers, again a return of 12.5% MR points.

For groceries, I purchase Reliance smart vouchers from Amex gyftr platform with my plat charge and get 12.5%

#ccgeek #ccgeeks

Planning a trip to Bali with young kids and infants? Buckle up, parents, this thread is for you! 🌴👶✈️ We’re sharing our survival guide, based on our experience from travelling with our tiny tornadoes. If you're flying solo or as a couple, check out the epic guide by @iamYadav31. It’s a ready reckoner and will save tons of your time!

#TravelWithKids #Bali #FamilyTravel #ccgeek #ccgeeks

https://x.com/imYadav31/status/1809975462514266148

So let's dive into it! First up: flights and seats. ✈️ When traveling with infants, be quick to choose your seats. Most airlines offer complimentary bulkhead seats and sometimes even bassinets for your infant. If you're flying to Bali with Singapore Airlines, they offer these on a first-come, first-serve basis. While I'm not a huge fan of bassinets due to their restrictive usage, bulkhead seats with an infant are lifesavers, especially for redeye or long-haul flights.

If you often fly in economy with infants, consider investing in a Stokke BedBox or similar products. These are accredited by many airlines and can turn your economy seat into a full-fledged bed. We have one, and trust me, it’s super helpful. #TravelWithKids #Bali #FamilyTravel #ccgeek #ccgeeks