Originally Posted by
fancyflyer
My definition of better = the one that gives me the most amount of flights for my points within europe.
From CDG to any airport in Europe, and then return back to CDG. Just trying to get the max number of flights from my points.
Yup, that's correct. I would be earning them mostly just from those starpoints transfers and other credit cards.
Did some search for sample flights, and you're right, it also seems that inter-european flights are dominated by star alliance. Just need to figure out I guess the star alliance program that would give me most flights for my points...
Perhaps you should specify that from the beginning. You know how many SPG points you have and should be able to calculate how many you will get if transferred to program x, y or z.
Also keep in mind that the flights will not be free, you will have taxes, fees and surcharges to pay which in some cases can be higher than a cheap low cost carrier to the same destination.
If an award flight with one carrier is 5,000 points but requires $100 cash co-payment is that better than one that is 10,000 points and $0 co-payment, or better than a $120 revenue fare?
If your goal is simply to redeem SPG points I would suggest:
Look at flight options ex-CDG that go where you want to travel
Looking at the SPG transfer partners that allow you to redeem on those airline(s)
Look at their award charts and pick the best one
It is no use transferring to the program with the 'best' award chart if there are no partners that fly from the airport you want to use or don't go to places you want to go.
Originally Posted by
fancyflyer
I realized from that earlier post is that since I don't fly enough, joining a program to get just 1 long-haul flight isn't wise I guess... So I thought I should join a program that allows me to spend my points/miles on inter-european flights and get more than just 1 flight.
You can join almost all programs for free.