Asiana Club - Joined Asiana to reach *G in couple of months

Hi guys,

After reading several posts in this forum alone, I decided to take the plunge and sing up with Asiana...I will have first flight early June from DUS-SAN return in G on US...Correct if I am wrong, but by my calculation that is 14K or so...My plan is to do 3 of these and then I am Diamond...Wish me luck! Who knows, maybe by sometime next year I will get to D+...

One short question, once I reach one status level, do my status miles get reset to fat O?

All the best to fellow Asiana FTs!

The Great Circle Mapper shows DUS-SAN-DUS as being 11,446 miles. Are you connecting via another city as two different flights? If so and if the combined mileage is 14K, then yes, you will reach Diamond (*G) after three of those flights.

Your status miles will not be reset. With Asiana Club status miles are only reset every two years at the end of the qualifying period. The qualifying period will start when you enroll in Asiana Club, so don't enroll too early before your first flight. Any miles you earn after reaching Diamond but before the end of your qualifying period will be of no value to you status wise, unless you're trying to reach Diamond Plus. If you can reach a total of 100K within the two year qualifying period (60K beyond Diamond), you'll be Diamond Plus, though in your case if you're not flying OZ it won't be of any real benefit to you.

After the two-year qualifying period ends, your status miles get reset and you start a new two-year qualifying period, but your status from the previous qualifying period carries over for those two years. So if you signed up now and flew 40K in the next year, your qualifying period would last till the end of May, 2011, and your Diamond Status would be valid from May 2010 (when you hit 40K) till May 2013, so three years.

The Great Circle Mapper shows DUS-SAN-DUS as being 11,446 miles. Are you connecting via another city as two different flights?

Yap, DUS-MUC-PHL-SAN and back, so maybe 2K more!

Even that I signed up 2 days ago, I should be fine with 2 week before the first flight qualifying period being too early :)

My goal is just to keep one steady *G membership for all *A lounges and maybe an occasional op-up! :)

Great Circle Mapper calculates DUS-MUC-PHL-SAN-PHL-MUC-DUS at 13607 miles. For three trips that comes to 40,821 miles, so you'll just make it. The OZ miles will vary slightly from those numbers but should still be above 40K.

My goal is just to keep one steady *G membership for all *A lounges and maybe an occasional op-up! :)

This is exactly what OZ is good for. Wouldn't count on the Op Ups however. But lounges, seating and luggage etc. will we worth the hassle. Redemption value is crap on OZ but everything else is fine.

Wouldn't count on the Op Ups however.

Definitely don't count on them, but they do seem to pop up occasionally depending on the airlines you fly and if they're overbooked in Y or not. I've gotten opups on SQ and semi-opups on TG domestic when checking in with my OZ *G card, or any *G card for that matter. In my case it's not been very frequent but is certainly nice when it happens.

and semi-opups on TG domestic

Ok, I have to ask, what is a semi-opup? You sit in the galley between the two cabins? :)

Ok, I have to ask, what is a semi-opup? You sit in the galley between the two cabins? :)

It must be exit row...or on the wing for the view :)

TG uses a lot of old Airbus A300-600 aircraft that have a dual C cabin. On well over 50% of my recent domestic flights on that plane they use the rear C cabin to upgrade *G Y passengers, but it's only the C seat. The meal/service is only Y. That's what I'm referring to as a semi-opup. The paying C passengers are seated in the front C cabin and TG can easily distinguish the service between the two cabins.

Great Circle Mapper calculates DUS-MUC-PHL-SAN-PHL-MUC-DUS at 13607 miles. For three trips that comes to 40,821 miles, so you'll just make it. The OZ miles will vary slightly from those numbers but should still be above 40K.

So I got 2 relative bargains with US for June flights and now looking for 3rd...Will wait a bit so these first 2 post but if anyone has any ideas on other destinations in September, I am all ears... US was 360 EUR or 500 USD respectively...

TG uses a lot of old Airbus A300-600 aircraft that have a dual C cabin. On well over 50% of my recent domestic flights on that plane they use the rear C cabin to upgrade *G Y passengers, but it's only the C seat. The meal/service is only Y. That's what I'm referring to as a semi-opup. The paying C passengers are seated in the front C cabin and TG can easily distinguish the service between the two cabins.

it happened te me as well.
I fly a lot with SQ btw ICN and SIN and never got an op-up though.

I've also never gotten an op-up on SQ between ICN-SIN and have flown it a lot. I have though gotten op-ups between SIN and various European destinations.

How do I know when my qualifying period began?

Ignore my previous question. So, according to A_Lee, if I join today and accrue 40K miles in the next month, I could have *G status for the next 4 years?

Ignore my previous question. So, according to A_Lee, if I join today and accrue 40K miles in the next month, I could have *G status for the next 4 years?

This is correct. Having said this, my Diamond card doesn't reflect this and expires after two years so I hope I will get a new one then.

I take it that this is under the new qualifying program rules, and that this was not the case under the old rules?

I take it that this is under the new qualifying program rules, and that this was not the case under the old rules?

Yes, under the new rules.

Just to be clear, my Diamond (*G) card expires two years after my qualifying period, so almost four years. The same as my Diamond Plus card. I think DownUnderFlyer is the only one reporting a problem with not getting the proper expiry date printed on his card, and correct me if I'm wrong, but he also was a member back under the old rules and credited miles under the old rules. Also was one of the first of the old members to qualify under the new rules. So my guess is that there was a bug in the OZ software for deciding if you qualified under the old or new rules, and they may or may not have fixed that bug by now, but regardless have not reissued a new card to DownUnderFlyer. For new members, there doesn't seem to be any problem so I certainly wouldn't give it a second thought.

Just to be clear, my Diamond (*G) card expires two years after my qualifying period, so almost four years. The same as my Diamond Plus card. I think DownUnderFlyer is the only one reporting a problem with not getting the proper expiry date printed on his card, and correct me if I'm wrong, but he also was a member back under the old rules and credited miles under the old rules. Also was one of the first of the old members to qualify under the new rules. So my guess is that there was a bug in the OZ software for deciding if you qualified under the old or new rules, and they may or may not have fixed that bug by now, but regardless have not reissued a new card to DownUnderFlyer. For new members, there doesn't seem to be any problem so I certainly wouldn't give it a second thought.

100% correct. You seem to know be quite well. ;) I don't think it is an issue. Once my card is about to expire I will ask for a new one.

Check my math.

1) I sign up on 1 November
2) By the end of 2009, I fly 40k miles on US, UA, and (presumably) CO.
3) I'm *G until 1 November 2013?
4) Between 1 November 2011 and 1 November 2013, I must fly another 40k on Star
5) I never have to fly OZ? (I'm NOT opposed to it! I just don't know if I'll ever need to go to ICN.)

I've already booked all my big trips on oneWorld through October, so this is a November decision. I mainly want a *G card for those places in the world that OW is a pain to use- south-east Asia, Africa, central Europe, using US once-in-a-while as I'm based in CAE, etc.

Also, it looks like any published ticket on UA and US earns 100% status miles. Is this correct? Is that world-wide, or only in North America?

You math is correct (other than the date being the 30th October for the expiry).
However, not all booking classes give you 100% miles. Some don't give any. Just check the earning table on the OZ website.

You math is correct (other than the date being the 30th October for the expiry).

Technically you are correct (assuming you meant Oct 31, not Oct 30). In practice though, I and others have reported that they give a two-month grace period. If they continue that practice, joining on Nov. 1 2009 will mean any status you gain will result in a card printed with "valid thru 12/2013", meaning until Dec. 31 2013.

Being StrandedinSC seems to fly a lot, mentioning earning *G in just two months, this brings into play the interesting scenario I've mentioned before. If you continue to fly this much, then get your first Diamond card on or about Dec. 31 2009, valid till Dec 31 2013. From Jan 1 2010 till Oct 31 2013, if you don't want to put your miles into Asiana Club, put them into whatever FFP you want. From Nov 1 2013 till Dec 31 2013, put all your miles again into Asiana Club and earn a new Diamond Status while your old Diamond Status is still in the grace period. Thus you're never without status but you only need to qualify once every four years! Note this only works if you're able to fly the required 40K miles during that specific 2 month period. If you don't fly that much, then you'll have to qualify every 2 years, or else do without status for a period of time.

Technically you are correct (assuming you meant Oct 31, not Oct 30). In practice though, I and others have reported that they give a two-month grace period. If they continue that practice, joining on Nov. 1 2009 will mean any status you gain will result in a card printed with "valid thru 12/2013", meaning until Dec. 31 2013.

Being StrandedinSC seems to fly a lot, mentioning earning *G in just two months, this brings into play the interesting scenario I've mentioned before. If you continue to fly this much, then get your first Diamond card on or about Dec. 31 2009, valid till Dec 31 2013. From Jan 1 2010 till Oct 31 2013, if you don't want to put your miles into Asiana Club, put them into whatever FFP you want. From Nov 1 2013 till Dec 31 2013, put all your miles again into Asiana Club and earn a new Diamond Status while your old Diamond Status is still in the grace period. Thus you're never without status but you only need to qualify once every four years! Note this only works if you're able to fly the required 40K miles during that specific 2 month period. If you don't fly that much, then you'll have to qualify every 2 years, or else do without status for a period of time.

I'm over 200k EQM on AA this year, and with two trans-pacs and a TATL before mid-October.

I could actually make that work, using AA and oneWorld most of the time, and *A as a back-up and all of my travel when needed- I've been considering getting a second lounge-eligible status, and *G just makes more sense than getting another OW Sapphire/Emerald card.

it seems like the primary benefit of OZ Diamond is for the *G status, are those other benefits mentioned on the OZ website nearly useless?

How useful is the 50% off upgrade coupon? It says "Q, k, V, W, L" are not eligible for upgrade, how expensive are the tickets in other buckets? (I'm talking about NA to Asia)

Where can I find information about the OZ "Level promotion gift"?

Also, doesn't OZ participate in the *A mileage upgrade? Can't I use OZ miles to upgrade on other carriers?

Yes, if you don't fly OZ, I'd say the primary benefit is the *G status. If you fly OZ though then as with most FFPs you get additional benefits.

Even I fly OZ a lot but haven't used any of my coupons I've gotten when reaching Gold, Diamond or Diamond Plus. Some of them will be expiring soon and don't know if I'll get a chance to use any of them. It's no big deal to me as those benefits weren't what enticed me to join OZ. I have no idea about your question regarding the cost difference for upgradeable buckets because I've never purchased tickets from N.America to Asia, always the other way around.

The "Level promotion gift" is a joke. It's just some luggage tags. I think DownUnderFlyer mentioned he got a passport holder for his gift when he reached Diamond, but I never got that. I specifically asked about it at the Asiana Club desk at ICN and they didn't know what I was talking about. I was kind of hoping to be able to get that rather than the luggage tags. I've got quite a collection of luggage tags from my various FFPs and never even use them. My only hope is that they'll someday become collectors items. Yeah right.

I'm not sure about the *A mileage upgrade scheme, maybe someone else can answer that. I've never used my miles to purchase upgrades as it's never seemed to be a good value to me.

The value of Asiana Club to me comes mainly from flying OZ metal a lot. I'm Diamond Plus and when I fly Y I very frequently get upgraded to C. It's happened on every flight where Y has been overbooked, which has been well more than 50% of my flights. The additional Diamond Plus perks, such as F lounge access at ICN, regardless of which class I'm flying, ability to preorder meals, use of F check-in lines, blocking of the seat next to me if the cabin isn't full, etc.

I must admit that prior to joining Asiana Club I had a good impression of OZ, but not really anything special. After reaching Diamond Plus and flying a lot, I've been really impressed with their service, personalization, and perks. I feel often like I'm treated as a semi-VIP. I'm almost always greeted by name from the flight manager as well as FA's servicing my cabin. I'm told when I enter the plane that my meal I reserved is waiting for me. They evidently have a file on me and the staff review that file before the flight. They know what is my favorite seat, my favorite food/drink, they know when my return flight is, how often I fly, etc. From a service standpoint, I often feel like I'm treated better flying OZ in C than any airline I've flown even in F. Of course the hard-product and meals cannot be compared, but the service and the attitude of the cabin crew has simply been outstanding in my experience. I almost always feel the service is very personalized and they're attitude in trying to see to it that I'm pleased seems to be very genuine. It does though need to be stressed that this experience I feel is due to my Diamond Plus status and flying very frequently with OZ. Flying infrequently with just Diamond or lower status I wouldn't expect such personalization and for sure much less perks.

With that said though, if I wasn't flying OZ metal a lot, I don't think I'd consider Asiana Club. The benefits seem geared mainly towards their customer base who flies with them. If not flying OZ metal I think there are much better programs which offer more benefits and better earn/burn rates. That is from the perspective of *G being easy to obtain for me from any program. If I didn't fly much and was looking for a program with easy *G qualification/requalification then Asiana Club would certainly be at or near the top, regardless of which *G carrier I flew most.

I think DownUnderFlyer mentioned he got a passport holder for his gift when he reached Diamond, but I never got that.

That's because I am special ;)

So they gave me a passport holder for Korean passports which doesn't fit mine. :rolleyes:

OZ does participate in the *A upgrade scheme. However, the booking classes from which you can upgrade are very (Y, B, C, D) restricted on most carriers so it is an unusable benefit for me.

That's because I am special ;)

That's what I kept thinking and wondering why you were so special to get the passport holder when I didn't. It made me very envious.

So they gave me a passport holder for Korean passports which doesn't fit mine. :rolleyes:

Oh great, now you tell me. After I spent many months salivating over thinking of your passport holder, you tell me it wasn't even useful. I guess my luggage tags weren't so bad after all....no wait a minute, we're talking about Diamond level promotion...that was those awful pink luggage tags I threw in the closet never to be seen again....I think I'd still rather have a too small passport holder that I could place on my nightstand and look at everyday, hoping that my passport someday will shrink enough to fit inside.

Well, I've still got the Platinum Level promotion gift to look forward to way down the line. Hopefully it will be something more than just some more luggage tags.

thanks for reply A_Lee and DownUnderFlyer. I guess the OZ Diamond is really for just the *G status afterall!

That's what I kept thinking and wondering why you were so special to get the passport holder when I didn't. It made me very envious.



Oh great, now you tell me. After I spent many months salivating over thinking of your passport holder, you tell me it wasn't even useful. I guess my luggage tags weren't so bad after all....no wait a minute, we're talking about Diamond level promotion...that was those awful pink luggage tags I threw in the closet never to be seen again....I think I'd still rather have a too small passport holder that I could place on my nightstand and look at everyday, hoping that my passport someday will shrink enough to fit inside.

Well, I've still got the Platinum Level promotion gift to look forward to way down the line. Hopefully it will be something more than just some more luggage tags.

Hmm...well I received both the new luggage tags and the passport holder. :p
ICN didn't have anything. I got all the gifts from LAX.

Since AF/KL Flying Blue changed their stupid program into even more stupid one on 1. Apr. 2009, I decide to give up my FB Platinum. Luckily, it seems that I can get Status Match to Asiana Diamond (I hope Diamond Plus) (see this website http://www.staralliance.com/hongkong).

However, the Asiana rules are quite confused. Could anybody kindly check if I have understood it correctly?

I am planning to fly my *A flight in Oct. 2009. Does it mean that my Diamond will last till 31. Oct. 2011?
I might reach 40.000 in Apr. 2010. Does it mean that my Diamond will be extended to 31. Oct. 2013? Or only to 30. Apr. 2013?

I still need to keep my Skyteam Gold. So I don't wanna put more miles into Asiana unless necessary. I just need its easy *A Gold status.

Or shall I go for Diamond Plus? Is it worthy? I don't see I have big chances to fly OZ though.

Many tks.

From the moment you join your status qualification time starts. So you have two years to fly your 40,000 miles on *A. Example: you join on 1/Oct/2009. You then fly 40,000 miles before 1/Mar/2010. Your *G status will be valid until 30/Sep/2013.

From the moment you join your status qualification time starts. So you have two years to fly your 40,000 miles on *A. Example: you join on 1/Oct/2009. You then fly 40,000 miles before 1/Mar/2010. Your *G status will be valid until 30/Sep/2013.

Many tks. It is really quite a strange rule compared with other FFP. However, it is so good for me.