Which SkyTeam FF program is right for me?
Nov 25, 2012 | 9:58 pm
#1
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Join Date: Dec 2009
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Which SkyTeam FF program is right for me?
Currently AF is my "home" airline in SkyTeam, as CDG is one of my ports of call. I'm an AF elite, which I plan to maintain via segments, but I am looking for a ST program with two or more of the following:
- TOP PRIORITY, allows flexible routing with stopovers/open jaws. Something similar to the UA model, where I can mix ST partners in one itinerary and stop in more than one place on a roundtrip for the same redemption rate
- Allows F partner redemption (knocks DL out)
- Low or no YQ charges'
- Has open c-card mileage bonus signups for US flyers or can move AMEX or Chase UR points over
- Reasonable award chart redemption rates.
- TOP PRIORITY, allows flexible routing with stopovers/open jaws. Something similar to the UA model, where I can mix ST partners in one itinerary and stop in more than one place on a roundtrip for the same redemption rate
- Allows F partner redemption (knocks DL out)
- Low or no YQ charges'
- Has open c-card mileage bonus signups for US flyers or can move AMEX or Chase UR points over
- Reasonable award chart redemption rates.
Nov 26, 2012 | 12:46 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: GLA
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat 4L, VA Vel Silver, BA EC, LH M&M
Posts: 1,825
I think DL is the best you can get.
Regarding F: AF has the explicit strategy to make F exclusive, so no other ST partner can offer you F redemptions on AF. Apart from AF you find F only with the Asian carriers in ST. If this matters to you, you would need an Asian ST program, which typically comes with high redemption rates and is probably(!) not good with US credit card earning or point transfer options. But if redeeming for F has a high priority for you, you should look at the Asian ST programs. This would also give you low/no YQ charges such that two of your criteria would be satisfied.
Regarding F: AF has the explicit strategy to make F exclusive, so no other ST partner can offer you F redemptions on AF. Apart from AF you find F only with the Asian carriers in ST. If this matters to you, you would need an Asian ST program, which typically comes with high redemption rates and is probably(!) not good with US credit card earning or point transfer options. But if redeeming for F has a high priority for you, you should look at the Asian ST programs. This would also give you low/no YQ charges such that two of your criteria would be satisfied.
Last edited by cityflyer369; Nov 26, 2012 at 1:10 am
Nov 26, 2012 | 7:49 am
#3
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
DL miles cannot be used for IFC award tickets.
Many of the DL FF benefits are free upgrades on domestic flights. If you won't be traveling much on coach tickets within the USA, it's hard to make a case for DL, even though you can mix carriers on award tickets (if low is available and there aren't blackout periods) and have a stopover and an open jaw.
Many of the DL FF benefits are free upgrades on domestic flights. If you won't be traveling much on coach tickets within the USA, it's hard to make a case for DL, even though you can mix carriers on award tickets (if low is available and there aren't blackout periods) and have a stopover and an open jaw.
Nov 26, 2012 | 9:29 am
#4
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Plus Delta has awful redemptions and bad availability. They are definitely out. I don't think AF F is all that great, and their redemption rates are absurd for F. I remain AF elite and can move AMEX MR points there anyway, how are the redemption rates / routing rules on KE or some of the other Asian members?
Nov 26, 2012 | 1:33 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: GLA
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat 4L, VA Vel Silver, BA EC, LH M&M
Posts: 1,825
In the end there is no way around looking up the redemption rates for the origin-destination pairs you are interested in.
Routing rules for KE's program: max 8 segments, max 1 stopover or alternatively single open jaw
Routing rules for KE's program: max 8 segments, max 1 stopover or alternatively single open jaw
Nov 26, 2012 | 6:58 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: |QF LTG|DL Gold|
Posts: 1,784
If it's of any help and you are based in the US, there are US-based Visa cards which earn you miles with Korean - http://www.skypassvisa.com/credit/we...ceCode&lang=en