iGlobe.ru
 

Hello guys
I'm an expat living in Moscow for 4 years already. The day I moved in, I opened an account in Gazprombank.
I actually have three different accounts (in RUR, EUR and USD). The one in USD is joined to iGlobe.ru where I have some 8000 miles.
It's been there for one year or so, is very marginal (i don't use that card a lot, only on buying flights stated in USD). I don't know what I can do with them (e.g. I could buy a ticket on FV (VKO-ROV-VKO) but taxes are 3800rub, which makes no sense at all. Nothing else is on the reach of 8000 miles of iGlobe.
Nevertheless, could you suggest what to do with those miles?
Is there any better program in Gazprombank? Should i change to some other bank?
Thanks!

I really don't want to appear as if I am advertising a product, but since you are asking about moving to a new bank...I would suggest Tinkoff Bank. I used to bank with Sberbank and got quite fed up with their awful exchange rates and limited internet banking options.

Moved to Tinkoff last month and I am pretty happy so far. I am using the Platinum/Black card which gets me 6% interest on RUB balance on the card, 1% cashback (5% in some categories). It's free as long as you maintain 30,000RUB or 1000USD or EUR. Very easy to get too since the bank rep will deliver it to your house/office.

In my opinion cashback is way better than all those miles, points etc, since they just get deposited to your account and there are no restrictions as to how you should use them.

I am not very familiar with Gazprombank, but 8000RUB (even in the form of miles) is too much for a LED-MOW route, since you can often get a ticket for 3-4k return.

PS: If you do end up coming to LED, feel free to PM me, we don't often have FTers coming :D

Not a big fan of Tinkoff Bank, nor of S7 Airlines. The program has too many "conditions" and is expensive.
I'm used to the MOW-LED route, and it shouldn't be over 3000rub one way, or 5000rub return. But I don't fly there often. Specially in winter...
Otkrytie (Открытие) seems a better option, specially if having interests in Aeroflot international routes. Those of S7 are never very tempting, nor going to DME (though i've flown 12 times this year from there).
http://www.aeroflot.ru/partners/part...#!searchType=A