MilesBuzz! - Delta vs. Air France

I am currently switching from BA to AF for routes into Africa. IAH is the point of origin. I am also a Delta SkyMiles member, and have recently joined FrequencePlus [PetroleumClub version]. I have several questions that I have not been able to find answers to on the AF and Delta forums, so I am posting here for the general audience:

1. Can points be moved from SkyMiles to FrequencePlus seamlessly, and vice-versa? I looked at the InsideFlyer tool and did not find a converter.

2. I have about 37k Delta miles. I am concerned that Delta is going belly-up and will drop their miles program. Anyone feel the same [?], and is it worth transferring the miles to AF, if allowable as questioned in item 1.

3. The SkyMiles reward chart says 35k miles for redemption for domestic flying here in the US, yet last week I tried to redeem for a quick overnighter to D.C., and the online system said I needed 50k miles. What's up with that? I used an SWA Rapid Reward instead...so easy!

4. Any truth to the rumor that Paris stopovers are free [?], i.e., IAH-CDG-LOS on AF. Which would allow me to loiter in Paris a day or two before proceeding on to Lagos, Luanda, etc.

Thanks in advance,

M8

1. No.

2. There are dozens of existing threads discussing DL's future (or lack thereof) in the DL forum.

3. SkySaver Awards:
http://www.delta.com/skymiles/use/skyteam/cont_us/index.jsp
(It's 25k for a domestic reward.) Multiply x2 for SkyChoice Awards.

4. I suggest you review the fare rules on your preferred routes to determine whether stopovers are free.

1. Thanks for the definitive answer. Guess I'll have some thinking to do about which program to book the miles with.

2. Thanks. Same as above.

3. Ah. They must have only has SkyChoice available when I tried to redeem. Thanks again.

4. Yep, trying to do that without bothering the client's travel agent.

M8

I recommend putting all Skyteam (AF/KLM/CO/DL/NWA/KE/CSA) miles into one primary account, as that way you can earn status faster and you'll have more options given more miles. There's no switching miles between DL and AF so just choose one as your main account.

Problem solved. I can put all my Air France flights on my OnePass account, provided I do this at booking. That's just great since I would rather accrue on OnePass instead of SkyMiles or Frequence Plus :)

M8

Doesn't AF give some benefits to the Petroleum Club people that you wouldn't be able to get with CO? Also, don't forget AF elite plus status requires only 40K flight miles and gets you free lounge access in the US, so if your flying is mostly international then AF might be the better bet.

Doesn't AF give some benefits to the Petroleum Club people that you wouldn't be able to get with CO?...

Yes, and I am eligible for those benefits as long as I have the Petroleum Club card and fly Air France. However, I don't have to bank the points with AF, I can have the points put on my OnePass account. Best of both worlds :)

M8

I think the chance of SkyMiles going away is so small I don't even thing about it, and this from someone with a few 100,000 miles. I would not base any picks on that.

I stayed 5 nights in Paris on the way back from Athens in Oct. using Delta Skymiles award. When I asked if I could extend a 12 hr. layover, the lady asked how many days. I picked a nice round number.

DAlso, don't forget AF elite plus status requires only 40K flight miles and gets you free lounge access in the US, so if your flying is mostly international then AF might be the better bet.

Unlike with Star Alliance and oneworld, SkyTeam Elite Plus lounge access is only for international flights, so an Air France Rouge would not have access if flying on a fully domestic DL/NW/CO itinerary. And if you're flying paid J or F, you get the lounge access anyway.