Flyer Programs: AF/KLM vs BA vs Delta
Jan 20, 2010 | 6:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: UA, DL, LH, Marriott, Amex
Posts: 554
Flyer Programs: AF/KLM vs BA vs Delta
I have to book several overseas flights this year, something I haven't done before, and I'm trying to decide where to bank all of my miles. The main itineraries at this point involve a good amount of domestic (USA) and European travel, hence these airlines.
I usually fly delta domestic, but I noticed during booking the best flights seemed to be on Air France. This led to some thinking, and a comparison with British Airways, and now I'm stuck!
Free upgrades on delta is the biggest perk, and one I'll enjoy. I do like the looks of AF's premium voyageur product, and BA seems to have good routing for me, plus their use of miles for upgrades seems much better than the others - 35,000 for a one-way upgrade on AF? Ouch..
Any thoughts/input is much appreciated
As a US-based traveler, is there any advantage to picking a foreign carrier as your main airline? Am I at a disadvantage when I fly domestic?
I usually fly delta domestic, but I noticed during booking the best flights seemed to be on Air France. This led to some thinking, and a comparison with British Airways, and now I'm stuck!
Free upgrades on delta is the biggest perk, and one I'll enjoy. I do like the looks of AF's premium voyageur product, and BA seems to have good routing for me, plus their use of miles for upgrades seems much better than the others - 35,000 for a one-way upgrade on AF? Ouch..
Any thoughts/input is much appreciated
As a US-based traveler, is there any advantage to picking a foreign carrier as your main airline? Am I at a disadvantage when I fly domestic?
Jan 20, 2010 | 10:32 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,777
well Delta and AF-KLM are both skyteam so that would make sense for you since you can get rewards and upgrades & earn miles. But a United program might work with you if you're frying out of DC for all of these.
Jan 21, 2010 | 3:05 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: eastern Europe & NC
Posts: 4,528
Delta seems to be by far the worst in redemptions these days. I would steer clear of them.
I would consider taking a look at BMI as well, one of the better ff programs, and you can accumulate miles through any *A program.
I would consider taking a look at BMI as well, one of the better ff programs, and you can accumulate miles through any *A program.
Jan 21, 2010 | 3:43 am
#4
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM), France and TravelBuzz!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Paris, France, AF F+ Rouge pour toujours, Flying Blue whatever, LH FTL, HHonors Gold, formerly proud SCC Executive, now IC Ambassador, BA down to nobody, Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 12,512
Jan 23, 2010 | 11:08 am
#5
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Naples FL, Munich DE
Programs: UA MM, AA 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,816
Be careful if you're thinking of Flying Blue (the Air France frequent flyer program). They did a major change last April in their points-earning scheme, and now if you fly discount fares, earning status is rather more difficult. Some fares don't earn miles, and some that do are at 25% of actual miles flown.
If you're planning on flying Business or full-fare economy it won't hurt as much, but if you're planning to fly on discount economy fares, flying Air France but crediting the miles to Delta might be better.
One other option you might consider is flying BA but crediting the miles to AA.
If you're planning on flying Business or full-fare economy it won't hurt as much, but if you're planning to fly on discount economy fares, flying Air France but crediting the miles to Delta might be better.
One other option you might consider is flying BA but crediting the miles to AA.