Please report your successful 9W/AI/UK redemptions here
#1396
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,273
And not to berate you... but I wanted to understand why you chose 9W for accruing your miles. From an earn/burn perspective if you're going to do international travel AI & 9W are the worst mileage partners one can pick. They're usually better for domestic travel.
Do you have a co-branded card for accelerated miles earning? Accrue miles on 9W because you need status?
I used to credit my miles blindly to AI and despite being a Maharaja could barely manage enough miles to fly out of the country. Once I started reading forums like FT and similar FFP blogs etc. about how people are doing suites redemption on SQ and EK suites while I could not fly beyond Dubai in Y, I realized I was doing it all wrong. Blame it on my ignorance.
Once again really not trying to criticize you... just want to understand your reasons. Others are welcome to contribute as well... - why would you chose AI/I9W for earning miles if you want to burn on international travel?
#1397
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: around the bend
Posts: 399
What are your preferred programs to credit flights/tier points from domestic travel to, with international redemptions in mind?
#1399
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,273
#1400
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: around the bend
Posts: 399
I've realised it's not much use trying to keep top-tier status on 9W and wanted to know what the alternatives are. The priority check-in counters are the one benefit I'd miss, since I nearly always have check-in baggage. I suppose I've been spoiled by the GVK lounge in BOM, but I hear the TFS one isn't half bad. And I guess the ability to pick extra legroom seats for free. Jet's upgrade vouchers are often as much of a stone around your neck as a genuine benefit.
#1401
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 47
Enjoy your trip bigapple.
And not to berate you... but I wanted to understand why you chose 9W for accruing your miles. From an earn/burn perspective if you're going to do international travel AI & 9W are the worst mileage partners one can pick. They're usually better for domestic travel.
Do you have a co-branded card for accelerated miles earning? Accrue miles on 9W because you need status?
I used to credit my miles blindly to AI and despite being a Maharaja could barely manage enough miles to fly out of the country. Once I started reading forums like FT and similar FFP blogs etc. about how people are doing suites redemption on SQ and EK suites while I could not fly beyond Dubai in Y, I realized I was doing it all wrong. Blame it on my ignorance.
Once again really not trying to criticize you... just want to understand your reasons. Others are welcome to contribute as well... - why would you chose AI/I9W for earning miles if you want to burn on international travel?
And not to berate you... but I wanted to understand why you chose 9W for accruing your miles. From an earn/burn perspective if you're going to do international travel AI & 9W are the worst mileage partners one can pick. They're usually better for domestic travel.
Do you have a co-branded card for accelerated miles earning? Accrue miles on 9W because you need status?
I used to credit my miles blindly to AI and despite being a Maharaja could barely manage enough miles to fly out of the country. Once I started reading forums like FT and similar FFP blogs etc. about how people are doing suites redemption on SQ and EK suites while I could not fly beyond Dubai in Y, I realized I was doing it all wrong. Blame it on my ignorance.
Once again really not trying to criticize you... just want to understand your reasons. Others are welcome to contribute as well... - why would you chose AI/I9W for earning miles if you want to burn on international travel?
That said, is there a way to accrue miles on Delta form co-brand cards/points transfer in India?
#1402
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,273
I've realised it's not much use trying to keep top-tier status on 9W and wanted to know what the alternatives are. The priority check-in counters are the one benefit I'd miss, since I nearly always have check-in baggage. I suppose I've been spoiled by the GVK lounge in BOM, but I hear the TFS one isn't half bad. And I guess the ability to pick extra legroom seats for free. Jet's upgrade vouchers are often as much of a stone around your neck as a genuine benefit.
We all have to sacrifice something in pursuit of miles & status. I put up with UA for 16 hour journeys - it's possibly the worst airlines to travel on - so that I can have great holidays with my family.
By TFS I assume you mean the domestic Travel Club lounge in T2. It's pretty decent but doesn't compare to GVK of course. The international PP lounge, while I haven't been to for a long time is quite ordinary and doesn't hold a candle to GVK International.
Don't some credit cards give status benefits on 9W? Or do you have to fly?
#1403
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: around the bend
Posts: 399
By TFS I assume you mean the domestic Travel Club lounge in T2. It's pretty decent but doesn't compare to GVK of course. The international PP lounge, while I haven't been to for a long time is quite ordinary and doesn't hold a candle to GVK International.
Don't some credit cards give status benefits on 9W? Or do you have to fly?
Don't some credit cards give status benefits on 9W? Or do you have to fly?
Think the HDFC Jet Diners one is the only card that gives status - 15 tier points when you first sign up, I think. I used that to get to Platinum a couple or so years ago. On renewal I think it's five tier points. I've swapped that card for a Diners Black since.
#1404
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,273
As a comparison with any decent FFP program you can generally redeem domestic Y at that rate - Rs. 0.45 - Rs. 0.50. International Y around Re.1.00, International J around Rs. 2.00 - 2.50 and International F around Rs. 2.50.
So from your perspective since you redeem generally in domestic Y - you didn't really lose anything but at the same time you could have gained a little this time. So look at the glass how you will.
Depending on your spending and earning patterns you might want to look at EY, VS and any of the Flying Blue programs for crediting Jet flights. Citibank, Amex and probably a few others transfer to these programs. I don't know how it will affect any of your accelerated earnings through a co-branded card though. I haven't seen the redemption charts lately but redemption opportunities will be much better than 9W for sure.
I'm assuming you don't like AI and UK is pointless to look at unless you're based in DEL.
#1407
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,198
I did check with the Flying Returns help-line on couple of sectors that are serviced by Silk Air metal, but available as both Silk Air & Singapore Airline tickets..On one route he said there was no availability and the other one, he said it wasn't showing up on his system !
#1408
Moderator: GLBT travelers, India-based Airlines and India; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Asia
Programs: Yes!
Posts: 15,512
#1409
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,273
Slightly convoluted, but India Amex MR converts to SPG (3:1 ratio IIRC) and then you can convert SPG to Delta easily (and with a 25% bonus if you do it in chunks of 20k). Not sure how good/bad the conversion value is, but this is certainly a good option in a pinch if you need to top up your skymiles account for a specific redemption.
I think 1 MR point is ~ Rs. 1.8 or so. So 1 Skymile costs ~ Rs. 5.4? Is my math correct? That looks absurdly high.
#1410
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, Marriott & SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, ShangriLa Jade, Enterprise Plat, Taj Gold
Posts: 3,273
Since it's a part of SQ, was wondering if there's a possibility.
I did check with the Flying Returns help-line on couple of sectors that are serviced by Silk Air metal, but available as both Silk Air & Singapore Airline tickets..On one route he said there was no availability and the other one, he said it wasn't showing up on his system !
I did check with the Flying Returns help-line on couple of sectors that are serviced by Silk Air metal, but available as both Silk Air & Singapore Airline tickets..On one route he said there was no availability and the other one, he said it wasn't showing up on his system !