Skyteam EQM rant!!!
 

Okay, I'm certain I read somewhere that skyteam partners give 100% EQMs to each others Golds. So, I booked PDX-LHR on CO, and LHR-OTP on AF. I got hosed!!! I only got 50% EQMs on the CO flights and 25% EQMs on the AF flights. At least the CO flights were price competitive, but I paid over 250usd on AF when Wizzair had tix for 70 eur with similar timings. If AF is only going to give 25% EQMs on their (not so) cheap fares, I'm switching to LCCs.

I'd like to know where you read what you say you read! I don't think Elite status has anything to do with EQM's earned on cheaper classes of tickets. CO, I think, only pays 100% EQM on cheap tix to CO OnePass members and AF cheap ticket EQM's were reduced a couple of years ago. I had a situation with 2 AF cheaper tickets, but it was cleared up when they postponed the date of the reduced EQM's. I wrote NW a letter and my response was that AF will not allow NW to pay more miles on AF tix than KL/Flying Blue members earn on AF tix.

AF mileage earnings are here:
http://www.nwa.com/worldperks/earn/a...html#airfrance

CO mileage earnings are here:
http://www.nwa.com/worldperks/earn/a...ml#continental

Don't know where you read that EQMs are based on your Gold status. Everything I've ever read from NW and ST makes it clear that my EQMs on NW are based on (1) which airline I fly, and (2) what fare basis I purchase. Thus, for example, I have long known that I will get reduced EQMs on airlines like CO and AF if I fly on discounted fares. I have never read about or expected greater EQM earning based on my Plat status.

it can be upsetting when you don't get what you thought you were getting. you got no one to blame but yourself in this one. you haven't done your homework or haven't done it right. live and learn. hope you at least enjoyed the trip. would suck if it was a pure MR.

100% bonus RDM's possibly?

Indeed it was, so I got the same amount of banked miles, and an upgrade on CO from PDX-IAH. As worldexpress said "live and learn". I play this game pretty well, but every so often I get schooled. I'll avoid booking Skyteam partners unless the price is much better.

Air France only gives their own elites 75% EQM on NW "M" fares that earn 150% EQM on Delta and NW. Most of the NW fares only earn 25% EQM on Air France. We were thrilled to move back to the US and be able to transfer back from Flying Blue to WorldPerks!

i must have gotten "burned" with every alliance at least once (ok.. i'll admit.. twice with skyteam) because i failed to study the fare class - code share equations with time and attention they require. Skyteam used to be a mess with constantly changing rules. DL coded KE flight for WP miles (or lack of) got the best of me the last time.

I'm sorry you are disappointed. I guess it's a "lesson learned" situation here. You have to do your homework and look up mileage earnings before booking tickets. I would also point out that NW and KL flights always give you [at least] 100% miles, so you may want to look up those options first. PDX-AMS-OTP is a much better itinerary IMO (think stroopwafels!:D).

Intra-EU flights are a different animal. If you want cheap, definitely go for LCCs; there are so many in Europe that you're bound to find a cheap itinerary between pretty much any 2 cities. If you want miles, keep an open mind and also look up CSA and Air One (former Alitalia); they often have good deals.

Huh?! FWIW, Alitalia is still Alitalia, in fact it is the Air One brand that will eventually disappear.