China Southern leaving ST
#16
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Taiwan
Programs: IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, oneworld Emerald
Posts: 1,164
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,918
Leaving ST will likely happen only in a couple of months, but we don't know when. I would say you are likely safe until end march, but that's just my own feeling. If the JV with AF survives, then it will be fine also. Overall, making long term CZ booking today is not recommended due to the uncertainties. Even booking on an AF code-share will not protect you as the ticket will be reissued with CZ flight numbers when the partnership ends.
#18
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Air Europa Silver, IHG Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,010
I asked the Platinum Service Line to give me a definitive answer on this because I am considering booking China Southern for May 2019.
After a few days of waiting, the answer came back verbally. We will continue to receive our SkyTeam benefits with China Southern until December 31, 2019. I suggested to the PSL it would be good to publish this somewhere as this important info is not visible online.
After a few days of waiting, the answer came back verbally. We will continue to receive our SkyTeam benefits with China Southern until December 31, 2019. I suggested to the PSL it would be good to publish this somewhere as this important info is not visible online.
#19
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,619
That's what I sort of thought (but wasn't sure), going by some of the things I have read about this. It would make sense, but I guess they can pull benefits and miles earning at any time in reality. That happened to me when Virgin America got bought by Alaska, and I had some VX flights in 1st I had hoped to credit to VS Flying Club. VX very quickly ceased to be connected to VS.
#20
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Air Europa Silver, IHG Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,010
I am also a little wary given that the info is not yet published online, but I trust that the PSL would choose to give me the XP at the very least, given they have a record of my correspondence. China Southern is one of the three SkyTeam members I have not flown; very keen to try it out next year while the benefits still exist!
#21
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,552
My understanding from somewhat reliable Chinese sources is that relations have been tense ever since MU took ownership in AFKL and AA in CZ.
The only certainty is that CZ leaves ST on 31 December 2018.Other details are still under discussion.
The only certainty is that CZ leaves ST on 31 December 2018.Other details are still under discussion.
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,619
I am also a little wary given that the info is not yet published online, but I trust that the PSL would choose to give me the XP at the very least, given they have a record of my correspondence. China Southern is one of the three SkyTeam members I have not flown; very keen to try it out next year while the benefits still exist!
#23
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Air Europa Silver, IHG Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,010
There will be a period of transition and according to what the PSL told me, ST benefits will be applied until 31 December 2019.
#24
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,619
Very good. Then, like you, I would like to travel with China Southern again and ideally enjoy the elite benefits. Definitely one of the better Skyteam ones out there.
#25
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Seat 2A
Programs: AA EXP LT GLD 1MM, BA GLD, NH/UA*G, Hyatt Dia, Marr Tit LT PLT, IHG Spire,HH Dia, MGM NOIR,Hertz PC
Posts: 10,571
I asked the Platinum Service Line to give me a definitive answer on this because I am considering booking China Southern for May 2019.
After a few days of waiting, the answer came back verbally. We will continue to receive our SkyTeam benefits with China Southern until December 31, 2019. I suggested to the PSL it would be good to publish this somewhere as this important info is not visible online.
After a few days of waiting, the answer came back verbally. We will continue to receive our SkyTeam benefits with China Southern until December 31, 2019. I suggested to the PSL it would be good to publish this somewhere as this important info is not visible online.
#26
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,552
There could be some positive transition for a few months. But I doubt that MU, with a seat on AFKL board, would agree with an extensive joint venture of AFKL with CZ. CZ was both a partner and competitor of AFKL. And in the future they will be primarily a competitor. I think that CZ and AA have high hopes that CZ become a major airline on the Europe-China route.
#27
#28
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Air Europa Silver, IHG Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,010
Well yes, I believe it because I wrote and called the PSL three times about it and they said they would come back to me with a definitive answer, which they finally did on the third call. I don't see why the PSL would invent a date out of thin air and assure me this was the confirmed answer, but I could be wrong...
#30
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
There could be some positive transition for a few months. But I doubt that MU, with a seat on AFKL board, would agree with an extensive joint venture of AFKL with CZ. CZ was both a partner and competitor of AFKL. And in the future they will be primarily a competitor. I think that CZ and AA have high hopes that CZ become a major airline on the Europe-China route.