Hello all,

I'm looking to avail of the Saudia sale within the next day or so, and although I am (blasphemously) not a frequent flyer, it makes sense that I make an advantageous choice as to which SkyTeam FF program I should accrue the points from that long-haul flight on.

I probably would be making at least one long-haul flight every couple of years, and at least one UK-to-Europe/North Africa flight annually. I'm veering towards SkyMiles, SKYPASS, Cedar Miles and Flying Club because of their long- or non-expiry policy.

If any scheme has a viable convert-to-shopping discount (similar to Avios with Nectar) then that would also be attractive to me. In that case a short expiry would be less of a problem for me.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

What routes are you looking at? Are any oneworld or Star Alliance carriers matching the Saudia fares on those routes?

For 1 or 2 (low cost) flights a year would not consider ff miles to be earned, when spending your money.
Member of which ffp now?
Fare booking class of the Saudi fight?
https://www.wheretocredit.com/saudi-arabian-airlines

Miles/Points that Do and Don't Expire

Multicity outbound LHR-MED, inbound JED-LHR.

Was originally considering OneWorld who did have a very similar itinerary at the same fare but the price has now risen by �600.

Booking class "V". Currently a member of BAEC and 18000 Avios, the bulk of which is via conversion from Nectar (as I was planning to use them for Oneworld flight booking). Remainder from use of Barclaycard Avios Plus.

So an avois frequent flyer.
Not sure if you know, but avios ff currency is used by BA, IB, IE, QR Qatar & AY. Subject to t&c's avios an be earned to those ffp's and then moved to other avios ffps. Or put your BAEC ff number in those airlines reservations. Earning & burning can vary depending on the ffp.
Be careful about expiry.

Assuming you are UK based, it probably makes sense to credit to Flying Club, more opportunities to earn there like with credit cards.