Switch programmes?
 

Hi everyone,

I'm an Air NZ (Staralliance) gold member and am thinking of switiching to a different airline because Air NZ is a bit too restrictive in assigning/retaining gold status (I will fly approx 80K miles this year and that still doesn't get me up to gold...).

Does anyone know if there is a *alliance partner (or other?) who will match your current level with another airline or somehow make it attractive to switch? I just rang Thai and they only make it difficult - I thought they would welcome gold flyers with open arms but no...
any advice welcome!

A status match within an alliance is much more difficult as to search for a competitor from outside.

At 35K, Aeroplan will make u Elite and *A gold....i find it hard to believe that 80K does not get u that on Air NZ........

Hi there, thanks for the reply. It has to do with the booking classes. For example A RWT on * is economy on some airlines and discount economy on others. They don't work with mileage for determining tier status but give you 'status credits' of which you only get 50% (!) when not flying premium economy.

Thanks for the AC tip - someone else mentioned that too. I can't really use their miles out of NZ but I guess the 35K 'buys' me *G status and then I can earn the other points on another airline.

A site I found, which everyone probably already knows about) is www.ukstatus.co.uk which, if you are a UK resident, let's you switch and keep your status and even gives away 5,000 bonus points to the 'switcher' and 2,000 to the 'switchee'.

If you have a friend with a UK address perhaps you can arrange to "move" for a time...

[Edited to add...]

ON second thought, I don't think this will work. The fine points in the "terms and conditions" state this: and from the FAQ section: [This message has been edited by xyzzy (edited Mar 10, 2004).]

As others have mentioned you are unlikely to get status match within *A due to poaching rules. You either need to earn your way to status (while still holding NZ *Gold to get the priveleges), or convince another *A airline you have moved countries.

AFAIK the UK status match is only for non-*A elites, so wont be of help to you.

Clarifying the comment above - discount economy earns 70% miles (points) but 50% status credits in the NZ FFP.

If your travels are mainly NZ based (or Australia/South Pacific) then I'm afraid there arent many options - just NZ or QF (Qantas). From what I know of various other programs (granted fairly limited), a number of the priveleges of status are of little use if your flying is as above. Eg domestic upgrades on an overseas airline is no use.

OTOH if your travels include more overseas travel then those privileges may be worth more.

Hope this helps.