Originally Posted by
the810
For example, VIE-DXB starts at 53k at TK (with plenty of availability on the spring next year), or 60k at AFKL (but with far less availability). I'm also looking into VIE-KUL/SIN at the moment and TK is substantially cheaper in miles too.
So for transfers from my bank, I always choose TK as both TK and AFKL are 1:1 and TK gives me more value per point (plus TK has relatively frequent transfer bonuses). Earning from flights are generally also better in M&S than in FB.
FB is purely a status program for me (and a pretty good one at that). Of course I will use the miles that I earned, but they don't represent any real value in my head.
middle east is the only sweet spot on the TK program.
Europe in the sense of Europe 2 (TK region - DE, AT, CH, NL, ...) and TK miles in the sense of flying TK (Star Alliance awards are very very very rare)
Europe-USA oneway business is 60.000 on Flying Blue or 90.000 TK miles
Europe-Asia oneway business is 85.000 on Flying Blue or 90.000 TK miles
Europe-Middle East business is 60.000 on Flying Blue or 53.000 TK miles
Europe- South Africa business is 85.000 on Flying Blue or 100.000 TK miles
Europe- Central Africa business is 85.000 on Flying Blue or 85.000 TK miles
Europe-North Africa (excluding Maghreb) business is 60.000 on Flying Blu or 65.000 on TK miles
Europe-North Africa (Maghreb) business is 20.000 on Flying Blue or 65.000 on TK miles
Europe-South America business is 85.000 on Flying Blue or 100.000 on TK miles
Europe-Europe business is from 20.000 miles on Flying Blue or 50.000 on TK miles
Europe-Europe economy class is form 10.000 Flying Blue or 30.000 on TK miles
sweet spots on FB - domestic awards e.g. in the US (10.000 eoc), MEX (9000 eco, 17500 biz), Australia (5000 eco, 15000 biz) , Japan (8.500 eco, 15.000 biz), Indonesia (6500 eco, 15.000 biz), China (8000 eco, 15.500 biz)
I value FB for its redemption rates AND availability and have two mileage subscription packages so I get 34.000 miles every month for 374€. (roundtrip to the US comes around 2000€ of cash if you buy the miles at that rate and add award taxes - however you get a full flex ticket for that price - with 0€ cancellation fee as platinum member)
Upgrades are horrible with Flying Blue - in that respect TK is a champion - I get confirmed upgrades at fixed prices (or with voucher) at booking time (when I book cleverly).
The best sweet spot with FB was a NUE-CDG-LAX-PPT award for 60.000 miles in biz
and we shouldn't forget the monthly promo awards with FB