SQ customer service is pretty good. So are their planes and the amenities. If you're just aiming for *A gold, you can fly on other *A carriers and get SQ elite status. Their miles are quite versatile, too. Be aware though, the 2 highest tiers - Solitaire PPS Club (I think that's the name for one of them) only count SQ flights and only those in J or F to qualify.
In general, as they say, it's best to credit to the program whose airline you fly the most, because all airlines treat their own elites better than another alliance-elite of the same level. However, if that's unfeasible, then definitely shop around.
That all makes sense and sounds pretty good, thank you. The *A airline I will fly the most will probably be Lufthansa, but as I'm still expecting most of my intra-Europe flights to be on SAS and that I will probably shift some long-haul to AF/KL/KQ (as SAS becomes a SkyTeam member), and that some of my *A long-haul will likely be on TK/ET - I don't think I'll be able to meet the qualification requirement of flights on Lufthansa Group. Or at least I don't want to have that restriction.
I don't think I would reach the highest tiers anyway, especially as I would do more SkyTeam flying, so the main goal for *A would be to just make sure I can retain the Star Gold status.
Do you know if SQ status matches? Would of course be nice to not have a gap without Star Gold.
Originally Posted by
SPN Lifer
Don't SQ miles expire after three years?
SAS miles expire as well (after 5 years though, I think?), so I am used to that. And it seems like you can extend them for a minor fee. Of course not optimal, but not a dealbreaker for me.