Originally Posted by
madrigalbna
As the self proclaimed new largest airline in the world
Oneworld is not an airline. It's an alliance. It's most definitely NOT the largest alliance.
Originally Posted by
madrigalbna
Kind of sad.
Then don't bother? Airline alliance loyalty for people flying the cheapest Y possible (as you apparently are) is for suckers (as you're finding out). You're probably better off just buying whatever's cheapest without reference to what you need.
Lounges are not worth $400 a flight, even if there is free (mediocre) food and drink. Maybe the luggage would be, if you're lugging around a lot of suitcases. But that's most of what you get as an elite flying cheap Y, lounges and luggage (and maybe a greeting as an Emerald on an airplane, or priority boarding/perhaps some reaccommodation due to irregular operations). Not sure that's worth it.
Incidentally, my guess is those cheap Skyteam flights are with China Eastern or China Southern. By all means check them out.