Country switch. Should I switch to Flying Blue
Jan 9, 2018, 1:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 3
Country switch. Should I switch to Flying Blue
I have 120k miles on my Delta sky mikes account.
i still fly to the US once per
year (not always on Delta) but now live in the Netherlands. I will be in NL for at least 8 years or more. I travel a lot within Europe and mostly fly on KLM.
i still fly to the US once per
year (not always on Delta) but now live in the Netherlands. I will be in NL for at least 8 years or more. I travel a lot within Europe and mostly fly on KLM.
Should I keep using my Delta account or switch to Flying Blue for the European flights? Thanks!
Jan 9, 2018, 2:11 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,754
There is absolutely no reason to switch, all the more if you have status with Delta.
AS they are both Skyteam programmes, you will earn miles on most Skyteam flights in either programme. It therefore doesn't make sense to "abandon" your Delta pile, and start filling up a Flying Blue pile, when you have provided no compelling reason to do so.
It is better to keep consolidating your miles in a single account.
AS they are both Skyteam programmes, you will earn miles on most Skyteam flights in either programme. It therefore doesn't make sense to "abandon" your Delta pile, and start filling up a Flying Blue pile, when you have provided no compelling reason to do so.
It is better to keep consolidating your miles in a single account.
Jan 9, 2018, 9:11 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,089
I used to have OK+ (well I still have it, just not use it).
Most flights I fly now, at least the private ones I tend to buy in advance, I either earn less miles, or no miles at all. No segments either. Of course it will all work out somewhat different very soon with FB with revenue based earnings.
I don't know how it works with Delta SkyMiles, but if it turns out it'd be easier to maintain status in Flying Blue, I'd strongly recommend starting right away and trying to get to silver before end of March.
Jan 9, 2018, 1:27 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,754
While all that you have said is true, the OP is asking solely on the basis of (temporarily) moving country.
And that, of itself, is not reason enough to change programmes.
And that, of itself, is not reason enough to change programmes.
Jan 9, 2018, 1:56 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,089
Well, it was, for me... but then again I wasn't changing from Delta.
Also, 8+ years is IMO more than long enough to consider changing the the program... hey, it's almost enough to get LTPE if one flies a lot!
(lastly, I've just noticed - this is OPs first post - Welcome to FT!)
Also, 8+ years is IMO more than long enough to consider changing the the program... hey, it's almost enough to get LTPE if one flies a lot!
(lastly, I've just noticed - this is OPs first post - Welcome to FT!)
Jan 9, 2018, 2:25 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,035
Masha Stern Welcome to FT ^
As above 8 years is enough time to consider a new ffp.
In 8 years time (2026) the frequent flyer(~frequent spender) loyalty programs will not he same a now.
What is the objective from a ffp?
Be mindful of expiry Miles/Points that Do and Don't Expire. Click to open the wiki.
Look here Which ST program should I sign up for?
I have 120k miles on my Delta sky mikes account.
I still fly to the US once per year (not always on Delta) but now live in the Netherlands.
I will be in NL for at least 8 years or more.
I travel a lot within Europe and mostly fly on KLM.
Should I keep using my Delta account or switch to Flying Blue for the European flights? Thanks!
I still fly to the US once per year (not always on Delta) but now live in the Netherlands.
I will be in NL for at least 8 years or more.
I travel a lot within Europe and mostly fly on KLM.
Should I keep using my Delta account or switch to Flying Blue for the European flights? Thanks!
In 8 years time (2026) the frequent flyer(~frequent spender) loyalty programs will not he same a now.
What is the objective from a ffp?
Be mindful of expiry Miles/Points that Do and Don't Expire. Click to open the wiki.
Look here Which ST program should I sign up for?
Jan 10, 2018, 4:34 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: FB Platinum, SM Diamond
Posts: 645
It is multiple things I will consider.
- Did you will flight with airline (or ticket class) where you will receive miles (or more status miles) than with FB.
- Example: - If you flight with Aeroflot, some flight will give you more miles for your account and/or your status with FB, than with SM.
- FB can receive miles (can account for your status also) than Skymiles for some "European" airline.
Whit some airline Skymiles, will give you even nothing (Ukraine Airline).
From my experience and comparaison I have done for myself:
Delta have a more restricted list of partners than FB (this can be at your advantage), and some of this partner give you no additional miles from your medallion status.
Because you are no more US resident (or your main adresses is outside of USA) MQDs will not apply anymore for you.
With the news rules effective 2018-01-01, KLM flight (if you did not buy it with Delta), will be base on distance (not revenue) for Skymiles.
All AF flight are base on distance (if you did not buy it via Delta). (KLM and AF flights, make a HUGE difference in my case, I have "reach" a Diamond level because this difference).
You must really compare both program, each situation is different and can give you big difference, this depend your flight pattern.
I change from FB to SM for most of my European flight.
Also FB will change from a distance to a revenue base (and XP/distance base for status) from 1 April, this can have positive or negative impact for you.
For now... FB have NO choice benefit... AND you can have Comfort+ seat only on TransAtlantic (TA) flight with FB on Delta flight !!! (Be careful about this if you must take other flight than TA with Delta). Depending you medallions status, you can have access to ALL seat+(AF) & Economy comfort (KLM).
- Did you will flight with airline (or ticket class) where you will receive miles (or more status miles) than with FB.
- Example: - If you flight with Aeroflot, some flight will give you more miles for your account and/or your status with FB, than with SM.
- FB can receive miles (can account for your status also) than Skymiles for some "European" airline.
Whit some airline Skymiles, will give you even nothing (Ukraine Airline).
From my experience and comparaison I have done for myself:
Delta have a more restricted list of partners than FB (this can be at your advantage), and some of this partner give you no additional miles from your medallion status.
Because you are no more US resident (or your main adresses is outside of USA) MQDs will not apply anymore for you.
With the news rules effective 2018-01-01, KLM flight (if you did not buy it with Delta), will be base on distance (not revenue) for Skymiles.
All AF flight are base on distance (if you did not buy it via Delta). (KLM and AF flights, make a HUGE difference in my case, I have "reach" a Diamond level because this difference).
You must really compare both program, each situation is different and can give you big difference, this depend your flight pattern.
I change from FB to SM for most of my European flight.
Also FB will change from a distance to a revenue base (and XP/distance base for status) from 1 April, this can have positive or negative impact for you.
For now... FB have NO choice benefit... AND you can have Comfort+ seat only on TransAtlantic (TA) flight with FB on Delta flight !!! (Be careful about this if you must take other flight than TA with Delta). Depending you medallions status, you can have access to ALL seat+(AF) & Economy comfort (KLM).
Last edited by FBplatinum; Jan 10, 2018 at 4:45 am
Jan 15, 2018, 5:04 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 3
I can earn higher status with KLM much easier and faster than Delta. Good news (for me) is that I just used all of my Delta miles to get tickets for a family trip so I will be fully switching to KLM now.. Thanks! 