Originally Posted by
Dilemma
IMHO, this is due to the $50 discount being applied to the underlying base fare. Therefore, you will receive miles if the fare you are applying the $50 toward also earns miles. OTOH, if the fare you're applying the $50 toward does not earn miles, then you will still not earn miles with the $50 discount.
That would be my (very not-so-expert) advice.
You may be on to something here. The T&C allow certain ST partners, and given that there are KL and OK revenue classes that don't earn, if you're flying one of those partners in an non-earning class, you won't earn.