Relocating to Shanghai
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 5
Relocating to Shanghai
Hi folks.
I'm moving to Shanghai later this year and I have the following questions:
1.Can I transfer my Skymiles or status to another airline/Delta partner? (don't think this is possible)
2.I will be traveling a lot within East Asia and SE Asia as well as to the UK - any recommendations to be loyal to particular airline in terms of perks as I move away from Delta?
Thanks!
T@M
I'm moving to Shanghai later this year and I have the following questions:
1.Can I transfer my Skymiles or status to another airline/Delta partner? (don't think this is possible)
2.I will be traveling a lot within East Asia and SE Asia as well as to the UK - any recommendations to be loyal to particular airline in terms of perks as I move away from Delta?
Thanks!
T@M
#2
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haining (1 hr from Shanghai) China
Programs: DL DM, AA Lifetime Plat, IHG SE
Posts: 1,466
1. No way to transfer but if you have Gold or higher on Delta, it is quite useful for your international flights within Asia. Lounge access, priority boarding, etc. Even for flights within China you can check in at the VIP/First Class counters and get priority bag tags on China Easter, China Southern, Xiamen Air, and I think Shanghai Airlines?
2. Will you be flying Delta at all back to the US? I guess this is a big point, as qualifying for Gold or Platinum on Delta with only non-Delta flights might be a problem. Or to Europe you can fly Air France, KLM for MQM's... or do as I do, fly a lot of Aeroflot in Comfort Class (better seats than Economy), which gets you good award miles and MQM's for usually quite cheap fares.
Or just fly any of them in business.
2. Will you be flying Delta at all back to the US? I guess this is a big point, as qualifying for Gold or Platinum on Delta with only non-Delta flights might be a problem. Or to Europe you can fly Air France, KLM for MQM's... or do as I do, fly a lot of Aeroflot in Comfort Class (better seats than Economy), which gets you good award miles and MQM's for usually quite cheap fares.
Or just fly any of them in business.
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,298
IMO MU is the obvious carrier for you to use for flights within China. For destinations elsewhere, MU could make sense or you might prefer partners such as KE. Then the question is whether to continue crediting to DL or to switch to the MU FF program. You'll need to research their requirements as well as the benefits they provide that you wouldn't get from DL status. IIRC they are more generous about granting lounge access to their own elites traveling on MU domestic or international flights.
BTW do you speak Chinese? This would probably make it easier to deal with the MU program.
CZ is an alternative, but there are rumors that CZ might leave SkyTeam. Many CZ connections are through CAN, where CZ is based, versus PVG four MU. Nevertheless, CZ has a reputation for the best customer service of the mainland Chinese carriers.
If you stick with DL, don't forget that partners (not in SkyTeam, at least not yet) VA and VS operate some long haul flights in Asia, including to/from LHR.
BTW do you speak Chinese? This would probably make it easier to deal with the MU program.
CZ is an alternative, but there are rumors that CZ might leave SkyTeam. Many CZ connections are through CAN, where CZ is based, versus PVG four MU. Nevertheless, CZ has a reputation for the best customer service of the mainland Chinese carriers.
If you stick with DL, don't forget that partners (not in SkyTeam, at least not yet) VA and VS operate some long haul flights in Asia, including to/from LHR.
#4
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,943
Honestly, Shanghai is a unique case where you may be well off sticking with Delta. PVG is the home of China Eastern, and mileage earning rates on Delta are pretty generous on them. Delta is a close investor in China Eastern so the two airlines have a really close relationship.
The MU frequent flier program isnt particularly generous on its own, either - so while you could start over earning status in it, if you occasionally return back to the US to visit or plan to relocate home after a few years rotation in PVG, maintaining DL status may be a good idea.
The MU frequent flier program isnt particularly generous on its own, either - so while you could start over earning status in it, if you occasionally return back to the US to visit or plan to relocate home after a few years rotation in PVG, maintaining DL status may be a good idea.
As MSPEconomist points out, domestic flight benefits may be the wildcard here if you plan to do a lot of travel within China...
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 5
Thanks everyone. Some very useful and helpful advice from you all. I think I'll stick with Delta for the time being and concentrate on MU for domestic and Asian flights. I'll be traveling back to the UK much more than heading back to the US so I'll keep my eye on VA and VS developments. I don't speak Chinese but I am learning!
#6
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,622
A quick look at google flights finds VS non-stops PVG-LHR. And if connecting, maybe VN. I've had a few very nice flights flying LHR-Australia connecting on VN. Flights will probably be on 787 or 350.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Don't forget you can change your address with DL and be exempt from the MQD requirements...that alone is a big reason to stick with DL if you have been a DL person up until now
#8
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LAS - where you can get married and divorced in the same 24 hour period. Perfect for the woman who's saving herself for marriage and the man who wants a one night stand.
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, UA, AA, AS, WN kettle, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,613
#9
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Formerly at PIT, now planted near MSP.
Programs: No flights since April 2019 (Medical Issues). Lost all my status.
Posts: 1,483
#10
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,622
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,298
#12
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: DL, HH
Posts: 34
I too am located in China and kept my Delta skymiles account as my primary. I mainly fly MU, and occasionally CZ when it's more convenient. Xiamen is supposed to be a good choice too but they don't have many options from my city so I can't comment on them.
MU isn't great but they always recognize my ST elite+ status and I never have a problem getting into the lounges on international trips. The 100%mqm earn is nice too.
MU isn't great but they always recognize my ST elite+ status and I never have a problem getting into the lounges on international trips. The 100%mqm earn is nice too.
#13
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LAS - where you can get married and divorced in the same 24 hour period. Perfect for the woman who's saving herself for marriage and the man who wants a one night stand.
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, UA, AA, AS, WN kettle, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,613
I too am located in China and kept my Delta skymiles account as my primary. I mainly fly MU, and occasionally CZ when it's more convenient. Xiamen is supposed to be a good choice too but they don't have many options from my city so I can't comment on them.
MU isn't great but they always recognize my ST elite+ status and I never have a problem getting into the lounges on international trips. The 100%mqm earn is nice too.
MU isn't great but they always recognize my ST elite+ status and I never have a problem getting into the lounges on international trips. The 100%mqm earn is nice too.
#14
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Vietnam & USA
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 454
I also agonized over this last year when I moved to SGN, but I finally realized (I think) that it's best to stay with DL since I get the benefits of SP, plus free upgrades with I fly in the USA.
Where else can one get free upgrades? Not with any other ST partner that I know of. What am I missing?
#15
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LAS - where you can get married and divorced in the same 24 hour period. Perfect for the woman who's saving herself for marriage and the man who wants a one night stand.
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, UA, AA, AS, WN kettle, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,613
Please clarify so I understand what you are trying to say.
I also agonized over this last year when I moved to SGN, but I finally realized (I think) that it's best to stay with DL since I get the benefits of SP, plus free upgrades with I fly in the USA.
Where else can one get free upgrades? Not with any other ST partner that I know of. What am I missing?
I also agonized over this last year when I moved to SGN, but I finally realized (I think) that it's best to stay with DL since I get the benefits of SP, plus free upgrades with I fly in the USA.
Where else can one get free upgrades? Not with any other ST partner that I know of. What am I missing?