Does Qualiflyer have a future?
 

So, SWISS is headed for oneworld and LOT for Star. Presumably both of them will have to leave the Qualiflyer FF programme. Any thoughts on how much longer Qualiflyer will exist and what will happen to existing accounts if (when) it is dissolved?

it doesn't look like SWISS will (have to) give up their Qualiflyer program.

Most alliance carriers have their own ff-program.

SWISS doesn't have "their own" programme, they have one they share with, for example, LOT. If they both stay in Qualiflyer then how will Qualiflyer Elite members be treated? Will I earn Elite status with both oneworld and Star if I collect my miles in Qualiflyer? Somehow I doubt the other oneworld carriers will want SWISS to stay in a shared FF programme and Star probably doesn't want LOT to stay either. My guess is they both need to either set up their own programmes or (like OS) merge into an existing one within the alliance they're joining.

LTU leaves the Qualiflyer program per dec-31-2002.

Volare and Air Europe leave already per june-30-2002.

I don't expect LOT to stay longer in the program than dec-2002 (but nothing has been announced yet).

I did read some weeks ago (can't find the link right now) that Crossair/SWISS did take over all of the Qualiflyer 'business'.

I expect Qualiflyer to be the ff-program of SWISS also in 2003+ (even if SWISS might be accepted to join oneworld - which, at this time, doesn't look more probable than 50%).

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 04-10-2002).]

SWISS has announced on may occasions that Qualiflyer will remain their FF-program regardless of any alliance choice, since by now they fully own it. If SWISS will be admitted into oneworld then I suppose Qualiflyer will become one of the OW programs just as AAdvantage or Finnair Plus. If not, SWISS (alone or together with SN Brussels Airlines) will continue to operate Qualiflyer.

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airOli, the Swiss Air Line. ;)

Oh no, Swiss said so!?!?!? Oh, yeah, you guys believed everything SR said as well!!!

LOT will most certainly leave QG and either relaunch their own FFP or merge into the one of another airline. If SWISS were to join oneworld and SN not, then I guess SN would be "released" too.

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airOli, the Swiss Air Line. ;)

When Austrain left it just signed up for LH Miles and More.