Alternative Skyteam Loyalty Programs
 

I've recently noticed that Delta SkyMiles have nowhere near the value they used to have—a round trip Delta One flight to Asia can cost upwards of 600,000 miles, whereas through American/Alaskan, I've only seen up to 150,000. I can't even redeem SkyMiles for Korean Air flights anymore! I was wondering what are good alternatives to the SkyMiles program, or even just a program that is a partner with Delta. I've looked at Virgin Flying Club (which has outrageous fees and scarce award availability), and have heard some good things about AF/KLM.

I always encourage people to diversify their points. For me, it's less about the loyalty program and more about the transfer partners. I diversify my miles between Amex, Chase, and Citi and just transfer points to the airline that has the best route or product to fly. With airline devaluations, it's risky keeping your points with one airline in my opinion.

I would disagree, although a lot depends on what you want from a FF program. If you fly enough to get elite status (beyond the benefits that you get from a credit card or hotel program "match" etc.), it's better to credit flights to the airline you actually fly. It usually doesn't make sense to credit to random programs and end up with a lot of orphan miles that expire before they can be used, nor does it make sense for most folks to devote time to try to optimize such miles and points.

WFBF. Points are a fools errand used to prevent you from being critical in the decision process.

Pick the flights, times, and cabins that work for you. In the long run you will be treated better and you will have more money in your pocket.

It all depends on how much you fly, where you fly, and how you want to spend your miles. Flying Blue probably has the most value of any program in SkyTeam, but that’s mostly just true for long haul redemption. Using Flying Blue for domestic US flights isn’t any better than SkyMiles.

There are also some trade offs using an airline program that differs from the carrier being booked. Schedule changes can be subject to award inventory availability and you won’t see much if any benefit from elite status.

Welcome to Flyertalk OP! If you are a DL Amex card holder, you are eligible for 15% off skymile award tickets. Flight values change regularly so keep an eye on the flights you want.

Chasing status is a fools run and can become an obsession for some. I drank the kool-aid for more than a decade and did those stupid things like pay my taxes with a credit card and a mileage run to Argentina the day before Thanksgiving. Eventually I did have a eureka moment and then Covid hit which solidified my travel pattern.

These recent changes on DL caused me to look at other programs and I discovered that I can actually attain status, not chase it with my travel patterns and spend with other airlines, I think there is value in making the most out of a FF program since there is no cost as long as you are not chasing status.

Sure, if it can be afforded. Not everyone can afford it, especially for long haul business.

You're totally right. I just am realizing how bad DL's SkyMiles program has gotten over the years, and want to know if anyone knows of any better alternatives.

It’s been called SkyPesos for years. DL miles are among the lowest values… $0.0115 per point if you have the Amex.

I primarily use Skymiles for friends and family and not for anything aspirational. I will use other programs and mile transfers for aspiration. For example, I’m using miles to fly Singapore to Vietnam this summer in business and American miles to fly home on JAL in first.

Here's my strategy:
Long haul J redemptions on DL suck. I have DM status through 2032, so I have no need to worry about spend in the DL environment. Even before the extension for rollover MQMs, I always churned UA and AA credit cards.

With a little planning you can easily acquire many UA and AA points through sign up bonuses. Both of these airlines have considerably better redemptions for long haul J. Sign up for a Chase UA Personal, Then an AA personal, then a Chase UA Business, then an AA Barclays aviator, then an AA business, etc. If you have a partner who can alternate which SSNs your using also makes it easier to continue to be approved, especially with chase.

I have migrated most of my spend to a generic AMEX card with membership rewards points with transfer partners to look for decent J redemptions.

cason_dean Welcome to FT
But how many flights and/or credit card spend to get 600,000 DL ff miles or 150,000 AS AA ff miles.
Depending on your objectives from a ffp earn to burn is what matters.
What is your flying spending profile? Are other airlines - credit cards.
FF miles are a minor by product of flying and/or spending. Not the reason to fly and/or spend $$$.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/skyt...i-sign-up.html

While I appreciate that everyone wants something for nothing, it is not a sustainable business model. I would suggest if someone cannot afford business class they might get used to the idea they won't get it. When I can no longer afford F I will just lump it in the back.

I don't change my spending for getting miles... that is just my regular spend.

I can afford business. I just don't like spending my money on frivolous things and would rather get free flights from my regular spending anyways..