SkyMiles or FlyingBlue?
May 19, 2010, 12:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3
SkyMiles or FlyingBlue?
Hi all -
I'm based in Washington DC and will soon be relocating to France. I'm a Delta SkyMiles member (Gold) and am wondering when I relocate to France, should I switch over to Flying Blue or stick with SkyMiles? They're all part of the SkyTeam so does it really matter?
I fly Air France a lot, and will be doing more of that when I relocate.
Thx, .lou
I'm based in Washington DC and will soon be relocating to France. I'm a Delta SkyMiles member (Gold) and am wondering when I relocate to France, should I switch over to Flying Blue or stick with SkyMiles? They're all part of the SkyTeam so does it really matter?
I fly Air France a lot, and will be doing more of that when I relocate.
Thx, .lou
May 20, 2010, 2:12 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,049
Hi Smokeking,
Welcome to FT!
A few questions for you:
(1) are you relocating permanently or just for a few years? (if temporarily, stick with DL and work towards lifetime status)
(2) do you mostly fly business or coach? If flying coach on discounted fares, SM is the better programme
(3) the advantage of FB is the lower threshold for lounge access, you only need gold status. However, if you provide a french address, you get hit by the higher French thresholds to reach Gold.
So gives us a bit more info about your flying profile, and you will get a more complete answer.
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Welcome to FT!
A few questions for you:
(1) are you relocating permanently or just for a few years? (if temporarily, stick with DL and work towards lifetime status)
(2) do you mostly fly business or coach? If flying coach on discounted fares, SM is the better programme
(3) the advantage of FB is the lower threshold for lounge access, you only need gold status. However, if you provide a french address, you get hit by the higher French thresholds to reach Gold.
So gives us a bit more info about your flying profile, and you will get a more complete answer.
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
May 21, 2010, 1:48 am
#3
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,339
(2) Depending on the number of segments. When flying many short-haul segments (30 to be precise) one can get Gold with FB in under 5000 qualifying miles. Even if those are on discounted fares :-)
May 22, 2010, 10:29 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3
Thanks all!
I'll be in France for only 2 years. My profile will be likely once a month back to the US (Nantes through CDG through USA) and maybe once a month through the EU.
I mostly fly coach on discounted fares, however, the company has no policy on fare level. Try to keep it cheap is what they say but if only high level fares are available, c'est la vie.
...lou
I'll be in France for only 2 years. My profile will be likely once a month back to the US (Nantes through CDG through USA) and maybe once a month through the EU.
I mostly fly coach on discounted fares, however, the company has no policy on fare level. Try to keep it cheap is what they say but if only high level fares are available, c'est la vie.
...lou
May 26, 2010, 2:34 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Nice
Programs: Marriott Titanium, AA Concierge Key, Delta, United, Emorates, and others
Posts: 4,694
I am DL Platinum, my spouse is AF Gold. Between them the DL options are generally better, and the special deals are more frequent. We both prefer to fly AF, and AF status works better than does ST status, but there's not huge difference. On balance, we both fly about half DL, half AF.
I'd tend to stay with where you already have status. I have two elite statuses on OW and I'm actively trying to move to one. Whatever reason seems to have made sense at the time did not later.
I'd tend to stay with where you already have status. I have two elite statuses on OW and I'm actively trying to move to one. Whatever reason seems to have made sense at the time did not later.
May 27, 2010, 1:37 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: A number, but no status no more
Posts: 3,049
Hi lou,
For 2 years, I would not bother opening a Flying Blue account. Stay with SkyMiles. At least, you will continue earning towards your lifetime status with DL.
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
Cheers,
GenevaFlyer
May 28, 2010, 4:34 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 128
Becareful with discounted Code Share Flights
Discounted flights booked on a Delta ticket (regardless of actual carrier) earn 100% FF miles and MQMs. The same flight when booked through another carrier (CSA, AF/KLM, etc) might not earn 100%. It may even earn 0 miles.
Check the booking code very carefully. Delta has all the information about booking classes and earning miles on its website under partner airlines.
One example would be an AF operated flight from JFK - CDG. Book the discounted fare on DL, you earn 100%. On AF, you get 25%. Similarly book a DL flight on an AF ticket, you might only receive 25%.
Check the booking code very carefully. Delta has all the information about booking classes and earning miles on its website under partner airlines.
One example would be an AF operated flight from JFK - CDG. Book the discounted fare on DL, you earn 100%. On AF, you get 25%. Similarly book a DL flight on an AF ticket, you might only receive 25%.
Jun 9, 2010, 8:27 am
#11
Join Date: May 2009
Location: MAD/LAX/MNL/PIT
Programs: DL DM, PR, TG, UA, CX (Asia Miles), BT, AY, AA
Posts: 906
Discounted flights booked on a Delta ticket (regardless of actual carrier) earn 100% FF miles and MQMs. The same flight when booked through another carrier (CSA, AF/KLM, etc) might not earn 100%. It may even earn 0 miles.
Check the booking code very carefully. Delta has all the information about booking classes and earning miles on its website under partner airlines.
One example would be an AF operated flight from JFK - CDG. Book the discounted fare on DL, you earn 100%. On AF, you get 25%. Similarly book a DL flight on an AF ticket, you might only receive 25%.
Check the booking code very carefully. Delta has all the information about booking classes and earning miles on its website under partner airlines.
One example would be an AF operated flight from JFK - CDG. Book the discounted fare on DL, you earn 100%. On AF, you get 25%. Similarly book a DL flight on an AF ticket, you might only receive 25%.
Jun 9, 2010, 1:07 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: DL DM/MM, Marriott Plat Premier, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,081
Funny, I'm reading this in the AF lounge at DXB. I was very surprised to hear they allow entry to DL GMs because they are ST Elite+. I thought it was only for PM/DM.
MY IMHO is stick with DL if you only plan for this to be short-term, even more so if they will give you lounge access. Obviously things could change but based on the here and now, you might have the best of both worlds working your status on DL.
MY IMHO is stick with DL if you only plan for this to be short-term, even more so if they will give you lounge access. Obviously things could change but based on the here and now, you might have the best of both worlds working your status on DL.