skyteam elite & skypriority
 

Hi all,

got a question about recent changes in SkyPriority.

I will soon reach Silver with DL, thus ST Elite.
I'm usually flying with MU, CZ or AF. I've seen that priority boarding and priority check-in are reserved to Skypriority members, ST Elite plus.
Yet on ST website it states that priority check-in and boarding are both for Elite & Elite plus members.

http://www.skyteam.com/en/Why-SkyTea...kyTeam-Status/

If I cannot have any benefit at all (no lounge, no priority, nothing...) what is the sense of being Elite (non plus)?

Thanks!!!

At least when flying DL, you do get somewhat early boarding in zone 1, special check in lines (SkyPriority in most smaller airports), and special security lines in some airports. IIRC a free bag is a SkyTeam Elite benefit on any SkyTeam flight. On DL you get premium seats and free domestic EC during OLCI. IIRC you get a discount on KLM and DL international EC fees.

as per my experience, the individual FFP will give more perks to their own members.
This is to promote people to fly with their FFP partner airlines.

For example Flying Blue Silvers can enjoy SkyPriority at check in and during boarding when flying FB partner airlines. At AMS Silvers also can use Fast track security. Normally these would qualify as Elite Plus benefits.

When flying with other sky team members, they have normal elite benefits.

In your case DL elite on MU gives no skypriority. In my case MU elite gives me skypriority+lounge on MU, but not on DL.

I have had no problem with priority check-in and boarding. Indeed with DL, you won't be Skypriority but with Zone 1.
Usually the signs at check-in/boarding say:
Skypriority passengers
We also welcome Skyteam Elite

Some airlines DO have seperate counters for Skyteam Elite and Skypriority.
You certainly have priority during your trip, Skyteam Elite beats *A big time.

MU and CZ call elites for priority boarding; furthermore, there is a seperate check-in counter for Elites at the first class check-in area.

Lounge access is generally not a benefit of E/E+ on domestic flights, unless you are flying your FFP carrier.

Thank you all for your answers!

Maybe I'll consider MU FFP, yet it seems to be quite useless...

I have, numerous times, said that I simply cannot understand why anyone would even consider joining MU or CZ FFPs. They are useless and the only benefit you get (lounge access on domestic flights) certainly does not outweigh the multitudinous disadvantages.

Unless one is travelling on a lot of Chinese domestic flights. Then lounge access might be worthwhile.

Fully agree with your point.

I can add an unpublished benefit for MU that I am very fond of: access to seats in the first 3 rows eco (row 31-33) at check-in. You have to ask/insist for them, but ur status qualifies you :cool:

These rows are also available for STE+, not just for MU FFP members, and even unlocked at OLCI after you enter your FFP number, except row 31 ABC.

I don't think MU's lounges are worth it, I rather go T-45 to the airport.

Would you care to share with me how you manage to perform OLCI with domestic MU flights, not having a chinese ID card?

With OCLI I would be tempted to arrive at T-30 :D

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if you can't olci, use their phone app for shanghai departures.
Also works for advance seat assignments on domestic routes; works also with ctrip.

Does anyone know if a skyteam elite plus member can take a guest through the fast track / priority security (at AMS) or is it just the member themselves that can use it?

no guest in theory