Is Skyteam for me ?
 

Hello all !

I was traveling a lot Canada-USA (and NRT) but now with my job i will do a lot of Canada-Europe (Germany, Spain, Russia) i was wondering if i should switch from my Star Alliance (i'm *G) and do the challenge on a SkyTeam carrier. I know SkyTeam is more popular in Europe.

Thanks

SkyTeam is more popular in Europe? Compared to what?

While Sky Team may be more popular in France, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic, and Russia, many in Europe - as well as those who travel to Europe quite a bit prefer Star Alliance. I don't know how one can beet the combination of A3, JP, LH, LO, LX, OS, OU, SK, SN, TK, TP. Or think about it in terms of European hubs. Skyteam has CDG, AMS, MAD, MOW, OTP, & MOW. Star Alliance has:

A3: ATH with focus cities at SKG & LCA
JP: LJU
LH: FRA, MUC, & DUS
LO: WAW with focus city at KRK
LX: ZRH & GVA with focus city at BSL
OS: VIE
OU: ZAG with focus cities at DBV & SPU
SK: CPH, ARN, & OSL
SN: BRU
TK: IST & SAW
TP: LIS & OPO


And don't forget, it is very difficult to actually find award seats with DL & AF's plan. Perhaps on another Sky Team airline, but not DL or AF. I'd stick with *A -- or consider, possibly, OneWorld.

Look here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/skyte...i-sign-up.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...help-here.html

I have to correct you on this point. As an AF/KL elite it is very easy to find reward space. I've never had a problem.

I have top status on all three alliances and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Skyteam to the OP. Just for Aeroflot alone it will be very helpful for you on your Russia trips. However as you probably know there's no ST carrier that flies direct from NRT to Canada. You'd have to either transfer in the US or ICN.

If you fly a lot, maybe go for top status in both Star and ST. It works for me. I have ultimate flexibility in choosing routes since I have status everywhere.

Don't forget FCO, LIN --> Alitalia, BCN --> Air Europa

Yes, I stand corrected. For AZ we should include MXP, FCP & LIN. UX's main hub is MAD. BCN is a secondary hub.

Was it one of the SkyTeam members (Czech Airlines?) that had a promo sometime last year, whereby they gave you gold status straight away for taking just one flight with them?

Is any such offer around nowadays from any of the partner airlines?