<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by around the world:
Looking at the
Star Alliance: I will have a local address in the UK shortly so I should be eligible for the status match offer:
United: First obvious choice. MP seems like a good program with low redemption levels for award travel.
Lufthansa: Looks
sexy due to its two year status validity. Redemption levels seem rather high for Economy class travel but I read if I book award travel for myself and a companion, the second award is 50% off.
Is this correct?
bmi: Forum members on bmi seem to think this is a good airline with decent FFP program. I would have to connect with UA on the east coast for flights into LAX though.
Asiana: Not that I plan on flying Asiana anytime soon but the low
requalification requirements and the
3 year status validity seem somewhat appealing.
I heard
Air New Zealand is a good airline but as most of my travel is in Y, I am unable to join their FFP. I also heard good things about
SAS.
If I left out anything noteworthy in any other * alliance or oneworld programs - let me know.
Virgin Atlantic: Seems like a great airline. Highly rated on
Skytrax and a member of
The Leading Airlines of the World ... so I guess Virgin must be a good carrier.
KLM:
the good... the bad... and the ugly. I read a lot about KLM on their forum to get an idea about the airline. Seems like a fairly OK airline with a decent FFP program tied in with cheap fares.
Is there a chart that compares FFP programs in oneworld?
(similar to Blonde Bomber's * alliance comparison chart}. Overall, I am looking for an airline with a good route network, good service both in-air and on the ground, and a decent FFP program.
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If you're going to be UK based, then
UA is not the programme for you - the minimum mileage on bmi is 250...
LH has high threasholds for qualification, but if you can make your 100k, then it's definitely the programme for you (and everyone). Also, they're pretty generous with the bonuses. Minimum mileage of 1000.
bmi's programme is very easy to get to *G - 38k beyond silver, which is just 16k. Also, as they are a UK airline, you'll probably end up flying with them a fair bit. As BD*G, OpUps etc. are more likely. Also 800 minimum miles.
Asiana is a good choice for the comp, if you want three years free lounge access, but redemptions are verrrrry poor, even if requalification is easy. Also, BD flight are distance only, with no minimum.
SAS Eurobonus is also a great programme. They treat EBS and EBG very well, but barely recognise other *Gs. Personally, I'd only go for this if you were going to be using SK a lot.
Overall, they decision can only be made by knowing which routes you will be using most (and thusly, which airlines), and as
Patron points out, what perks you favour most.
If you're moving back to the US in a year or two, I'd comp in to Asiana for instant three year lounge access, then use either BD of LH's programme to bank the miles.
And keep using your CX card, unless you are certain of getting BAEC Gold.
Stands back and waits for the rush of people disagreeing with me 