Newbie Q: Best
 

Hi all.

I'm a bit new/fresh to SkyTeam and it's partners so would greatly appreciate some expert advice on the best way to book a one-way economy award from Europe to Australia. I have Delta and KLM accounts, but will be spending KLM points only (not enough points on Delta).

I am trying to work out whether KLM's website will really give me all the availability possible to me under SkyTeam airlines. Or, whether I also need to go over to Delta's site, AF's site, etc etc to find the best flight, then call KLM to book it. I've had to do similar things before with oneworld where I jumped around on various airline's sites, then called AA to use AA points.

Any tips appreciated! Thanks.

No, the Flying Blue website will not give you complete ST availability, in particular not for Asian airlines. Also, AFAIK there is no common ST booking class for Economy tickets, as in *A. The easiest thing is probably to call FB.

In case this helps: ST airlines that fly to Australia are Korean (BNE, SYD, MEL), Vietnam (SYD, MEL), China Southern (BNE, SYD, MEL, PER), China Eastern (SYD, MEL, soon also CNS), China Airlines (BNE, SYD) and Delta (SYD).

Side remark: On top of this, for non-award flights, there are also the codeshare agreements (KL with Malaysia from KUL and AF with Qantas from SIN and HKG) that are relevant for Flying Blue members. So, perhaps surprisingly, Flying Blue is a FFP with loads of options for travel from Europe to Australia. And once Garuda has joined ST, there will be even more options.

The DL flight and website will help you only if you can route through North America, which I suspect would require more miles. Also, there are Virgin Australia flights from LAX to SYD/MEL/BNE as well as domestic flights and TransTasmanian to/from NZ which IIRC are now DL codeshares. Check whether FB allows these for redemption, but I suspect not.

No, FB does not allow VA-redemptions, otherwise I would have mentioned it in the DL context. But talking about non-Skyteam FB partners, JAL could be an option for you, too.