flying blue or delta program?
 

FB or Delta

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Great Site! Question is - have delta account for 2 family members 2 don't. flying bos-ncl on AF (cancelled flight bos-lhr so paying exorbinant price!) fl chart says 250% miles - delta says 150% so am I correct in assuming that we should use the 2 delta accounts and get 2 new FB to get more miles? we don't fly af a lot, but bos is a delta hub and we go to fla whenever we get enough points or uk if we have plenty. aren't the miles good for either airline so we should go with the program that gives the most points? I know, totally newbie question!

Without even reading your post, I can advise SkyPesos (Delta Skymiles)

As to why, this thread should enlighten you:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/flyin...re-merged.html

I'm not a newbie and I don't know the answer. Both programs have been significantly devalued over the last couple of years.

I would guess that if you fly economy that DL would be better, but if you fly business class AF/KL would be better. And of course your location and route patterns matter. It is something you should read the fine print on and do your own analysis.

We have both SM Diamond (me) and FB Platinum (my spouse). Whether economy or business SM is the better bet for anybody who lives in the US most of the time IMHO. The exception is if you fly internationally often, where FB qualifies as Platinum after 70,000 miles if you live outside France and similar lower qualification for other elites.

Both programs get similar upgrades with each other, or are in the process of doing so, because they are coordinating fare classes and eligibility levels.

If you don't expect to make the highest Elite levels you amy also want to know that FB Gold is ST ElitePlus outside the US but only Elite in the US.

SM is an easy programs to understand and use while FB understand should give a PHD to anybody who masters it. On FB there are often different information in French, Dutch, English and Portuguese so one needs to be multilingual to figure out all the best ways to use the program. FB is the sort of programs serious gamers love to use because it is so complex and there are secrets too. For example there is a program on now that lowers thresholds for elite qualification but was announced to some eligible people and not at all to others, even though they're eligible.

So, if you are a masochist and love complexity go with FB and you'll not be bored. if you want simple easy and clear, go with SM.

I personally enjoy FB, but I may have diagnosed myself.

Really? FB doesn't have Double/Triple/Quadruple-MQMs, hub/spoke/whatever bonuses, SWUs, companion upgrades, lounge access induction fee...

Even with all those features, I grant you they're complex, one has the same informationnin any location and any language with SM. With FB itbis all a bit mysterious with some programs announced, others not, different features available depending on the Language chosen. That was my reference, rather than the program itself. I was probably not clear. SM has much more variety in earning options and special programs to be sure.

I'm an Exec Plat on AA based in Sao Paulo, Brazil that flies constantly in Latin America and frequently to Sweden. I'm considering joining AF's FB because it's becoming practically impossible for me to concentrate my flights on OW with so few options from Brazil (Mexicana went bankrupt, nearly all LAN flights into and out of Brazil are now codeshares on TAM which gets me no miles, AA is not a convenient or cost effective way to get to Latin American or European destinations from Brazil, GOL miles don't count towards elite qualification, limited Iberia availability, etc..)

I'm less interested in mileage awards and more in getting access to the business class lines and lounges, as well as priority for exit rows (I'm 6'6"" / 2 meters)

AF seems a better choice for Latin America and my travel needs - in addition to Skyteam partners, they have partnerships with Copa, Avianca and GOL so I can get EQ, miles and enjoy my status on these flights. Also, it's very unlikely I would ever fly on a Delta flight.

As nearly all of my flights would be on Copa, Aeromexico and GOL, and the info on AF's site seems ambiguous (at least to me) and some things seem a little too good to be true, I'm curious how other travelers with FB have really fared flying these airlines with respect to EQ miles credit, lounge access, priority / exit row seating and upgrades. Thanks in advance.

Since COPA are eventually going to follow CO into *A you will not benefit long term as they will likely cease ties with AF. Your post suggests that you may be flying in Y - FB Y earning is very very bad. Many fares earn no / severly limited miles. Read the program rules carefully before you decide.

Don't forget that AR is joining Skyteam. That would be very important point for a frequent flyer in LatAm.

Ouch, I didn't realize that. I fly a lot to and inside Argentina and avoid AR whenever I can. Too many bad experiences, it's just not worth the trouble. I guess I can fly to Argentina on OW or Gol.

Good points and that's too back about COPA.

Yes, my travel will be nearly all Y with a few F flights on GOL (they are about same price as Y on other airlines).

Even if I earn about 30% EQ miles on my flights, that should get me at least gold on AF which gets me access to the lounges and advance reservation of exit row seats (I hope).

I'd consider DL except I never fly DL and they don't have the alliances with Avianca, Gol and (for now) COPA that AF has.

Curious if anyone has had any luck calling AF and asking them to match status on another program (e.g., AA) to switch over?