SkyTeam - KLM/AF FlyBlue or Delta better SkyTeam program for international traveler?

I'm currently MVPG 75K on Alaska, with most miles earned on Delta or KLM.

I've already flown 80K miles in 2012, and I"ll probably fly another 60K before the end of the year.

The things that are the most important to me are the elite benefits that make flying more convenient: priority check in and security, extra baggage, etc. Upgrades nice, of course.

I use my miles primarily to bring my partner with me on business trips where my trip gets reimbursed but his doesn't, so they don't hang around long enough to expire. Alaska's flexibility helps greatly here - we can almost always find something that works if we book early enough.

I'm now flying a lot more internationally: upcoming trips this year to Europe x 3, China, Australia and Brazil.

As much as I love them for domestic travel, Alaska Airlines MP doesn't cut it internationally. The Delta partnership apparently doesn't extend beyond the U.S. borders. Since I get treated so well domestically, it's frustrating that KLM / AF / etc don't recognize Alaska Airlines elite status.

Since I have so much travel booked in the next three months, I'd like to go ahead and qualify for Elite status on a full SkyTeam partner. I've already got my Alaska status nailed for 2013.

I'm considering KLM or Delta because that's who I fly the most.

Thoughts?

What sort of fares do you normally fly on? Since you want to use the miles, if you're flying on deeply discounted fares, you probably want to credit to DL. If you fly on more expensive coach fares or business fares, AF/KL may be better. I'd look at the flights you've taken so far this year (or ones you have booked) and see what they would have earned in each program.

Hi KascadeKat,

Welcome back!

Being based in the US, your best bet is probably DL. You will be able to get the DL Skymiles credit card, and get better domestic upgrades.

The downside of DL is the high cost of award redemptions. The upside is the chance of gaining lifetime status.

However, the downside of Flying Blue is low earnings, and being bottom of the pile for domestic upgrades in the US. Lifetime status on Flying Blue requires 10 straight years of being platinum.

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

If your travel is on paid business class fares, you won't get significant FF program benefits other than award travel and other stuff you can get for miles. Your decision should therefore be based on earn and burn: how many flown miles or trips in your fare class to get a free ticket for your partner.

As someone said, note that deep discount fares so far earn 100% on DL but much less on AF/KLM.

If you want to have the possibility of an IFC award ticket or upgrade with miles to IFC, you must go with AF/KLM.

However, for me the tiebreaker would be the chances of domestic upgrades, including domestic connecting segments on international itineraries and some places such as Canada and northern South America that aren't rally domestic. Since AF/KLM don't have the DL scheme of free elite upgrades to FC on almost any ticket, here DL has a big advantage IMO.

Finally, SkyTeam only has significant benefits (beyond free bag and slight chance of upgrade on DL) at the ElitePlus or Gold level, which gives lounge access when flying SkyTeam international, elite check in and security, early boarding. Be sure to calculate that you will earn enough status miles for this, 50,000 on DL, of which some or all can be earned through AmEx spending.