Convert Skymiles to Singapore, Cathay, or Thai?
Apr 10, 2013, 2:51 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Gold (prev. Ex Plat for 10 years); DL Plat; UA Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,339
Done both, but I'd give the ^ to CZ on this one. I really like the late evening departure from LAX and found the transit process in CAN a snap. The MH flight may well have better service but will have inferior seats (the CZ seats are really quite comfortable for sleeping), and the flight times are somewhat odd. Late afternoon departure from LAX, stopover in NRT then redeye to KUL with a 4AM arrival. Painful experience IME and if you're connecting to points north, better to get there on CZ. Lounge in CAN is better than you'd expect (certainly better than any Delta lounge that I've seen). Shorthaul in Asia on either carrier is generally narrowbody (Airbus or Boeing), although MH does have a handful of widebody shorthaul routes.
Apr 10, 2013, 3:20 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Gold (prev. Ex Plat for 10 years); DL Plat; UA Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,339
Apr 10, 2013, 3:53 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
Apr 10, 2013, 4:11 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 324
Thanks everyone.
1. On the 3rd party services - I just called Delta today and told them exactly what I wanted - 2 biz class seats on CZ on the dates I needed. 9 min. later they were on hold. Literally one of the easiest calls I made to Delta. FYI, I used a free trial on expert flyer to confirm the availability just in case.
2. Thanks for the input on the flight. I too like the times on the CZ flight, and read a report today with no less than 30 photos on the A380 experience. Looked quite nice. I have never flown biz class internationally, so I cant compare, but it seems plenty good to these two newlyweds!
FYI, My gf had 15K miles three weeks ago and I had 80K. I never knew about the low mileage trick on Delta partners, nor had I any idea about CZ or its A380. Thanks to the friendly folks here at FlyerTalk not only am I WAY more educated, but they literally
1. Helped us get Amex cards and 50K MR points each, a Delta Gold Amex for my fiancee, and I got a Chase Preferred.
I only wish I traveled more. A big THANKS to everyone!
1. On the 3rd party services - I just called Delta today and told them exactly what I wanted - 2 biz class seats on CZ on the dates I needed. 9 min. later they were on hold. Literally one of the easiest calls I made to Delta. FYI, I used a free trial on expert flyer to confirm the availability just in case.
2. Thanks for the input on the flight. I too like the times on the CZ flight, and read a report today with no less than 30 photos on the A380 experience. Looked quite nice. I have never flown biz class internationally, so I cant compare, but it seems plenty good to these two newlyweds!
FYI, My gf had 15K miles three weeks ago and I had 80K. I never knew about the low mileage trick on Delta partners, nor had I any idea about CZ or its A380. Thanks to the friendly folks here at FlyerTalk not only am I WAY more educated, but they literally
1. Helped us get Amex cards and 50K MR points each, a Delta Gold Amex for my fiancee, and I got a Chase Preferred.
I only wish I traveled more. A big THANKS to everyone!
Apr 10, 2013, 5:48 pm
#23
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
CA is Air China, a member of the Star Alliance. CZ (China Southern) has no blackout dates. The only DL partners with blackout dates are KE (Korean Air), CI (China Airlines, which is based in Taiwan), and AE (Mandarin Airlines, a subsidiary of CI on which one can theoretically redeem SkyMiles).