changes on 4/1/09: Who is leaving and when [merged]
Jan 15, 2009, 5:47 am
#61
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: UK
Programs: reformed ex basic Member
Posts: 3,148
Jan 15, 2009, 6:21 am
#62
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, BD Gold (RIP), TK Elite, HH Gold, Marriott Silver, SPG Gold, IC RA, Hertz 5*
Posts: 589
If you wanted to hurt/pay-them-back then you should be booking awards with their ST partners as they would then be forced to pay the partner for the ticket. That would sting a lot more! ^
Jan 15, 2009, 7:10 am
#63
Ambassador: Thai Airways
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bangkok
Programs: UA 1k, TG Gold, LT Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 1,034
After April 1, no more flights on AF-KLM for me (unless absolutely necessary) and my FB account will grow only by my AMEX FB spending, adding the miles earned during Jan-Mar, I should still be able to obtain at least Gold but hopefully Platinum for another year...not that Platinum has ever done me any good since I've become one.
And I have changed all my flight plans April onwards to StarAlliance. Does anyone know if LH will match status on Flying Blue Platinum? I tried to find the answer in status match master thread but the thread has become so big and I got lost.
And I have changed all my flight plans April onwards to StarAlliance. Does anyone know if LH will match status on Flying Blue Platinum? I tried to find the answer in status match master thread but the thread has become so big and I got lost.
Jan 15, 2009, 8:23 am
#64
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MIL, PAR
Programs: FB Gold (E+),TK Elite(*A Gold)
Posts: 684
Hi all, because I moved from France to Italy I used more and more AZ flights and then I became Freccia Alata (equivalent to FB Gold) flying with AZ and Czech Airlines which is underrated but very efficient and useful if you travel towards Eastern Europe.
Anyway I discovered recently that all SkyTeam companies slashed down the miles earned with flights and they cut especially the miles earned flying with partners airlines.
Just to give you an idea, before Alitalia was giving me 1200 status miles for most of its crappy flights and 1200 status miles for most of the flights done with Czech airlines with very low fares.
With just 10 intra-European transfer 2way flights (through Prague) I got the Freccia Alata/FB Gold status...
but now every Alitalia flight is 1000 miles (1500 if Y) and flights with OK only 750 miles!!!
For me it is very bad! If I want to keep my status I have to flight more with AZ (at least 25 2way direct flights in Q,T,V class) and even more and more with AF and OK.
Because my flights are mainly in Europe it will be difficult to keep it... I was dreaming about FB but situations seems worse.
I start looking at Lufthansa but I would like to enjoy Gold benefits while I am travelling.... and this is currently not possible unless if they give me a Gold card.
Anyway I discovered recently that all SkyTeam companies slashed down the miles earned with flights and they cut especially the miles earned flying with partners airlines.
Just to give you an idea, before Alitalia was giving me 1200 status miles for most of its crappy flights
and 1200 status miles for most of the flights done with Czech airlines with very low fares.With just 10 intra-European transfer 2way flights (through Prague) I got the Freccia Alata/FB Gold status...
but now every Alitalia flight is 1000 miles (1500 if Y) and flights with OK only 750 miles!!!
For me it is very bad! If I want to keep my status I have to flight more with AZ (at least 25 2way direct flights in Q,T,V class) and even more and more with AF and OK.
Because my flights are mainly in Europe it will be difficult to keep it... I was dreaming about FB but situations seems worse.
I start looking at Lufthansa but I would like to enjoy Gold benefits while I am travelling.... and this is currently not possible unless if they give me a Gold card.
Jan 15, 2009, 9:37 am
#65
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: AMS
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 1,849
Jan 15, 2009, 9:47 am
#66
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,554
Hi all, because I moved from France to Italy I used more and more AZ flights and then I became Freccia Alata (equivalent to FB Gold) flying with AZ and Czech Airlines which is underrated but very efficient and useful if you travel towards Eastern Europe.
Anyway I discovered recently that all SkyTeam companies slashed down the miles earned with flights and they cut especially the miles earned flying with partners airlines.
Just to give you an idea, before Alitalia was giving me 1200 status miles for most of its crappy flights and 1200 status miles for most of the flights done with Czech airlines with very low fares.
With just 10 intra-European transfer 2way flights (through Prague) I got the Freccia Alata/FB Gold status...
but now every Alitalia flight is 1000 miles (1500 if Y) and flights with OK only 750 miles!!!
For me it is very bad! If I want to keep my status I have to flight more with AZ (at least 25 2way direct flights in Q,T,V class) and even more and more with AF and OK.
Because my flights are mainly in Europe it will be difficult to keep it... I was dreaming about FB but situations seems worse.
I start looking at Lufthansa but I would like to enjoy Gold benefits while I am travelling.... and this is currently not possible unless if they give me a Gold card.
Anyway I discovered recently that all SkyTeam companies slashed down the miles earned with flights and they cut especially the miles earned flying with partners airlines.
Just to give you an idea, before Alitalia was giving me 1200 status miles for most of its crappy flights
and 1200 status miles for most of the flights done with Czech airlines with very low fares.With just 10 intra-European transfer 2way flights (through Prague) I got the Freccia Alata/FB Gold status...
but now every Alitalia flight is 1000 miles (1500 if Y) and flights with OK only 750 miles!!!
For me it is very bad! If I want to keep my status I have to flight more with AZ (at least 25 2way direct flights in Q,T,V class) and even more and more with AF and OK.
Because my flights are mainly in Europe it will be difficult to keep it... I was dreaming about FB but situations seems worse.
I start looking at Lufthansa but I would like to enjoy Gold benefits while I am travelling.... and this is currently not possible unless if they give me a Gold card.
Jan 15, 2009, 10:27 am
#67
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MIL, PAR
Programs: FB Gold (E+),TK Elite(*A Gold)
Posts: 684
I checked but it seems finished. It was the Dolce Vita promo. I hope they will do something fast so that I will be able to switch to LH as I am based in Milan!!!
Jan 15, 2009, 10:59 am
#68
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: AMS
Programs: KL/AF FB Plat, Hilton Silver, La Quinta Gold
Posts: 1,159
Going to burn on some extended holidays in March. No more trying to keep plat, just soft landings, and more business for the LCC's from me. So effectively I'll be starting my leaving as of now.
Jan 15, 2009, 4:06 pm
#69
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 497
It's a case by case thing. I knew my travel would be taing off again, so I looked into my choices as a Dutch resident. If you're flying under a business policy, to a *A destination, stick with them. OW are no fun for economy. If you're flying intercontinental, and get to use the business cabin, BA is a real no brainer. I had a couple of business class returns in Europe, and two business returns intercontinental, and I'm BA gold. God only knows the miles i have now. No effort. I'm amazed at the FB Plats so enthused by their lounge. The First lounges in OW are something really special. The vintage champagnes are so good. There is a big downside. You have to add 3 hours for a transfer. But that doesn't worry me, I even take a later flight to use the lounges a little longer. Horses for courses, but if you're in no hurry, the BA product us sound, the FFP is very good, and it's acheivable.
Jan 15, 2009, 6:52 pm
#70
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: HKG
Programs: Marco Polo, MileagePlus
Posts: 203
Jan 16, 2009, 10:30 am
#72
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AF/KLM FB Silver
Posts: 32
This year I gave preference to KLM-AF over other airlines, thus obtaining the Platinum for the first time. I am glad that I didn't do that in previous years, because I think this will be the last time. Best of luck, KLM. I used to like Schiphol a lot.
Jan 17, 2009, 4:02 pm
#74
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Programs: FB Plat for life, FB PC, M&M FT, Hertz President (+ many low tier cards)
Posts: 2,777
Company policy and especially routes flown restrict me to change. However, as soon as I find a way to change that without quitting job or latest change that when my expatriation changes...bye bye Lying Poo!
Obviously they don't care about the individual but at least I will end up with better frequent flyer benefits through that!
Obviously they don't care about the individual but at least I will end up with better frequent flyer benefits through that!
Jan 17, 2009, 7:41 pm
#75
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 235
What annoys me most about the Flying blue changes is the fact that it has become more 'expensive' to earn miles, and at the same time, more 'expensive' to spend miles due to redemption inflation for business and first redemptions. This is double inflation, and isnt equitable for members.
Taxes are crazy - on an intra european mileage award, I was quoted €200+ taxes for one person for an economy ticket from Ireland to Germany via CDG. When 'free tickets' cost €200 it is a waste of time earning miles for redemption, and membership for me is more for the benefits of easy transit through CDG, lounge access, and hopefully being better looked after if and when things go wrong.
The lowest award taxes are on non AF/KL flights. DL for example have sub €75 return surcharges on transatlantic flights and can be booked online.
Taxes are crazy - on an intra european mileage award, I was quoted €200+ taxes for one person for an economy ticket from Ireland to Germany via CDG. When 'free tickets' cost €200 it is a waste of time earning miles for redemption, and membership for me is more for the benefits of easy transit through CDG, lounge access, and hopefully being better looked after if and when things go wrong.
The lowest award taxes are on non AF/KL flights. DL for example have sub €75 return surcharges on transatlantic flights and can be booked online.