Which FF program for crediting cheap Air France/KLM fares ?
 

Hi,

What's the best FF program for crediting cheap economy (fare code R) mileage from AF/KLM flights ?

From my little research:
Flying Blue: 25% mileage
Alaska Mileage Plan: 0% (fare code R not eligible)
Delta Skymiles: 100% (though "skypesos")

Any other suggestions ? I'm based in Canada

Thanks

Having a few R-class AF/KL flights is hardly the best basis for choosing a SkyTeam frequent flyer programme.

If you have only a few such flights, the amount of miles you earn will be trifling, and will not be worthwhile (you won't be able to do anything useful with such a small amount of miles).

If you expect that you may in future have more SkyTeam flying, then that is perhaps a better basis for choosing a programme. Be warned, for instance, that Flying Blue miles expire after 20 months of inactivity.

OK. Well, I'll console myself in believing that I saved hard earned cash that is worth more than the miles I would have earned through a higher fare.

As your travel will involve transatlantic flights, I would suggest crediting it to Delta SkyMiles. From Canada you can get reward flights to the US for 25K miles (after 3 transatlantic RTs) or to Europe for 60K miles if you book early or a week or so prior to travel and have some flexibility. SkyMiles do not expire currently. I know there are lots of SkyMiles haters, but I have flown the family to Europe annually on low award tickets for 20 years, so it really is not that bad if you know what to expect and how to book.

Delta SM all the way. Yes, they can be hard to redeem, but if you are flexible there are many very nice options and you don't pay any YQ either ex-NA.

+1. I'd personally go dl without a hesitation and stay as far away from fb as possible.

What is the process for getting Air France travel credited to Delta. Do you just put your DL SkyMiles number in the FF spot? Do you have to indicate it's Delta or does the number do it for you?

I know this is the wrong forum, is the procedure the same with AM?

Posters call them sky pesos, every-time I check availability of award seats from US to MX is just as (un)available as other routes.:)

Usually, you have a menu where you select the Airline/FFP and then an open field where you enter your FFP number.

Having the two programs, I agree that DL SkyMiles is better if you buy cheap fares for LH, MH or SH on Air France. Even MiNi credits well on SkyMiles.

But be warned - Lufthansa (LH) and Malaysia Airlines (MH) flights cannot be credited to SkyMiles! Shorthaul flights on Air France can, however, be credited there...

I think olivedel was referring to long-haul (LH) and medium-haul (MH)...

I know...but it's a pet peeve of mine to see longhaul etc capitalised when abbreviated.

bodory was right, sorry for the incovenience.
So I can rephrase : Having the two programs, I agree that DL SkyMiles is better if you buy cheap fares for either long-haul, medium-haul or short-haul flights on Air France. Even MiNi credits well on SkyMiles.

And that, by the way, emphasises yet again the complete idiocy of AF's decision on MiNi fares not crediting FB miles...

Using dedicated fare buckets to handle MiNi fares and excluding them from earning in all SkyTeam FFP would have been more in line with AF MiNi strategy.