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This information applies predominently to United Airlines, as it is the airline I most frequently use, but the principles apply to nearly all airlines. So, feel free to add information on your airline of choice and I'll update the FAQ.
Some acronyms I'll be using here:
PNR = Passenger Name Record....how the airline tracks a person's reservation. Agents also enter comments into the PNR, so it's not a good idea to piss an agent off
BIS = Butt in seat....actual flight miles where the pax is on the plane.
COS = Class of Service.... First Class, Business, and Economy. Airlines have different names for these, but essentially they're the same.
EQM = Elite Qualifying Miles... a UA term, but basically applies to all airlines with elite programs, although the acronym will be different in most cases. One earns EQM's from BIS travel, as well as from COS bonuses and promotions. They are used to determine which elite level the flier has achieved.
RDM = Redeemable miles....the number we see in our frequent flyer accounts which can be used for award tickets and upgrades.
Y/B/H/M = fare buckets on UA....other airlines have similar designators. On UA, these are usually the most expensive economy fares. As a comparison, I usually fly on L, S, and T fares, which are the cheapest (L is usually the cheapest of any publicly available fares).
Elite = Someone who has flown (or otherwise acquired) a certain number of EQM's on their airline. On UA, it's 25K or 30 segments for 2P (Premier), 50K or 60 segments for 1P (Premier Excecutive) and 100K or 120(?)segments for 1K (Premier Executive 1K). There is also a level known as UGS (United Global Services), which is by invitation for folks who spend a lot or control a lot of spending on UA. There are many advantages to achieving and maintaining elite status, miles and awards being amongst them. Once you get there, it's hard to go back.
IIRC = If I recall correctly....and often I don't
More to come....
Pat
Some acronyms I'll be using here:
PNR = Passenger Name Record....how the airline tracks a person's reservation. Agents also enter comments into the PNR, so it's not a good idea to piss an agent off
BIS = Butt in seat....actual flight miles where the pax is on the plane.
COS = Class of Service.... First Class, Business, and Economy. Airlines have different names for these, but essentially they're the same.
EQM = Elite Qualifying Miles... a UA term, but basically applies to all airlines with elite programs, although the acronym will be different in most cases. One earns EQM's from BIS travel, as well as from COS bonuses and promotions. They are used to determine which elite level the flier has achieved.
RDM = Redeemable miles....the number we see in our frequent flyer accounts which can be used for award tickets and upgrades.
Y/B/H/M = fare buckets on UA....other airlines have similar designators. On UA, these are usually the most expensive economy fares. As a comparison, I usually fly on L, S, and T fares, which are the cheapest (L is usually the cheapest of any publicly available fares).
Elite = Someone who has flown (or otherwise acquired) a certain number of EQM's on their airline. On UA, it's 25K or 30 segments for 2P (Premier), 50K or 60 segments for 1P (Premier Excecutive) and 100K or 120(?)segments for 1K (Premier Executive 1K). There is also a level known as UGS (United Global Services), which is by invitation for folks who spend a lot or control a lot of spending on UA. There are many advantages to achieving and maintaining elite status, miles and awards being amongst them. Once you get there, it's hard to go back.
IIRC = If I recall correctly....and often I don't
More to come....
Pat
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