Originally Posted by dellyb
I was recommended to come here from people at Fodors Airline forum. We just purchased our daughter a ticket to travel Melbourne, Australia on Singapore Air to study abroad and the fare earns frequent flier miles. Since it will earn $25,000+ plus miles, we want to sign her up for a frequent flier program in one of the Star Alliance airlines. Given the tenuous situation recently of some of the US airlines in the program (US Air and United), I was thinking of just enrolling her in the Singapore Airlines ff program if the miles are interchangeable among the participating airlines. Does that sound like a good way to take advantage of the miles? If not, what would you suggest we do? Thanks very much.
Welcome to FT!
Indeed Singapore Airlines miles can be used to purchase flight awards on other Star Alliance carriers, as well as Virgin Atlantic, Mexicana and Delta Airlines. Said miles can also be used towards flight upgrades on certain Star Alliance carriers (eg ANA, Lufthansa, Thai, there might be more but I cannot remember - check the website for more details). Unfortunately, miles cannot be transferred to another FFP if that's what you're getting at.
And 25 000 miles would just about qualify your daughter for Krisflyer Elite Silver membership, which translates to *Silver across the alliance. Check that the fare class earns status/redemption miles on Krisflyer first though...