Which SkyTeam member to build points on to get elite status
May 12, 2024, 8:58 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: BOS
Programs: BA GLD for LIfe, AA PLT 2 MM miler, B6 Mosaic, Star GLD; HH Diamond; Marriott PLT, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,371
Which SkyTeam member to build points on to get elite status
I have flown oodles of miles on OneWorld first as AA Plat for Life but realized that I could do better on BA and am now BA Gold for Life. I've had some years with lots of Star Alliance and concluded that it was best to accumulate miles first with Aegean and later with Turkish Airlines. My aim was to get higher status and lounge access in the US (the latter is less important as I have an Amex Plat card).
I have flown a lot less on Sky Team, but it looks like this year I will have a few flights on Delta and a number on LATAM. Is there an airline Sky Team on which it is easier to acquire status?
Incidentally, I am much less interested in points. I have oodles and seem to generate them faster than I use them.
I have flown a lot less on Sky Team, but it looks like this year I will have a few flights on Delta and a number on LATAM. Is there an airline Sky Team on which it is easier to acquire status?
Incidentally, I am much less interested in points. I have oodles and seem to generate them faster than I use them.
May 12, 2024, 7:29 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 22,167
LATAM is not part of Skyteam, but is a strong partner of DL. So you should go with DL Skymiles as this is the only ST program that will allow you to earn points on LA-operated flights.
May 13, 2024, 8:49 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: |QF Platinum|DL Platinum|HH Gold|ALL Silver|
Posts: 1,742
Not just DL, you can also earn points and status with Virgin Atlantic:
https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/g...-airlines.html
However if your goal is some lifetime status I think reaching MM on Delta might be more achievable.
https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/g...-airlines.html
However if your goal is some lifetime status I think reaching MM on Delta might be more achievable.
May 14, 2024, 4:27 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: BOS
Programs: BA GLD for LIfe, AA PLT 2 MM miler, B6 Mosaic, Star GLD; HH Diamond; Marriott PLT, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,371
Thanks. I don't know that I will have enough years of heavy flying to get lifetime status at this point. But, annual status that cause me to get on planes earlier and gets good treatment (rare these days) would be desirable. Sound like I should stick with DL. I do fly several times a year to London but have a preference for BA because of the day flight and the First Lounge. In the pre-pandemic era, these flights would be monthly or more in some years.