Potential new traveller
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
Programs: AAdv GLD(MM), QF LTS, UA MP_nada, HH Gld, SPG, GoldenCircle Jade
Posts: 4,472
Potential new traveller
I have been a devoted OW FF for some years.
I am going to be starting to fly regularly (once-twice a month LAX-Europe) starting in Feb, in F or J. Main destination initially is FCO. So it looks like my best Skyteam option will be AF via CDG.
What would be the best FF program to join in terms of earning, redemption, elite attainability and benefits?
Would any of them comp my OW status? Do they have any fast track to elite status (eg AAdv Plat Challenge)? Or is it not even worth it if travelling in F/J (usually elite level provides elite bonus eg 100% of miles flown).
Thanks for your help.
I am going to be starting to fly regularly (once-twice a month LAX-Europe) starting in Feb, in F or J. Main destination initially is FCO. So it looks like my best Skyteam option will be AF via CDG.
What would be the best FF program to join in terms of earning, redemption, elite attainability and benefits?
Would any of them comp my OW status? Do they have any fast track to elite status (eg AAdv Plat Challenge)? Or is it not even worth it if travelling in F/J (usually elite level provides elite bonus eg 100% of miles flown).
Thanks for your help.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Soon to be LEGT
Posts: 10,928
Originally Posted by alect
I have been a devoted OW FF for some years.
I am going to be starting to fly regularly (once-twice a month LAX-Europe) starting in Feb, in F or J.
What would be the best FF program to join in terms of earning, redemption, elite attainability and benefits?
I am going to be starting to fly regularly (once-twice a month LAX-Europe) starting in Feb, in F or J.
What would be the best FF program to join in terms of earning, redemption, elite attainability and benefits?
but the bad thing about AF's FFP is that you won't earn miles for some booking classes on partner airlines. These sometimes are excluded because they're cheap fares (KE Q-class), but other times it seems like somebody designated them just for fun- for example D on AM and AZ (business class with minimal restrictions). Thankfully these classes aren't too many. Redemption varies by route, of course, while benefits are similar across the alliance (dont know a lot about AM; and KE has a weird FFP so I wouldn't be able to help with either) apart from metal-specific elite upgrades (domestic in the US partners, systemwide on OK's Europe-focused system; AF, KL, AZ don't offer them), which I don't think you'll care much about as you're fortunate enough to be flying up front already.
#3
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Join Date: Dec 2000
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[QUOTE=graraps]
but the bad thing about AF's FFP is that you won't earn miles for some booking classes on partner airlines. These sometimes are excluded because they're cheap fares (KE Q-class), but other times it seems like somebody designated them just for fun- for example D on AM and AZ (business class with minimal restrictions). Thankfully these classes aren't too many. [QUOTE]
Are you saying that I do not earn FFP miles flying Z (discount business) on AZ, let alone business class miles?
That does not show up on their website(not much does show up on their website). Do they have similar restrictions for D & Z on AF?
AF, AZ, and NW frequently sell Z tickets IAD-Europe, which I use.
but the bad thing about AF's FFP is that you won't earn miles for some booking classes on partner airlines. These sometimes are excluded because they're cheap fares (KE Q-class), but other times it seems like somebody designated them just for fun- for example D on AM and AZ (business class with minimal restrictions). Thankfully these classes aren't too many. [QUOTE]
Are you saying that I do not earn FFP miles flying Z (discount business) on AZ, let alone business class miles?
That does not show up on their website(not much does show up on their website). Do they have similar restrictions for D & Z on AF?
AF, AZ, and NW frequently sell Z tickets IAD-Europe, which I use.
#4
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Join Date: May 2004
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[QUOTE=slawecki]
Z is fine, you get your biz class miles. D, which is significantly more expensive, earns a big fat ZERO! And D on AF is fine as well as far as I understand it.
There 's a 3-page-long sticky on top of the F+ board that will explain things a bit better.
Originally Posted by graraps
Are you saying that I do not earn FFP miles flying Z (discount business) on AZ, let alone business class miles?
There 's a 3-page-long sticky on top of the F+ board that will explain things a bit better.
Last edited by graraps; Jan 19, 2005 at 3:12 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York City
Programs: BA Gold Guest List; HH Diamond; Hyatt Diamond; SPG Gold
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Originally Posted by slawecki
Are you saying that I do not earn FFP miles flying Z (discount business) on AZ, let alone business class miles?
That does not show up on their website(not much does show up on their website).
That does not show up on their website(not much does show up on their website).
Alitalia is, without doubt, one of the best SkyTeam airlines for accumulating miles, since there are no tricky fare class issues to worry about. I regularly fly T class on AZ for leisure, and get my full miles.
#6
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Originally Posted by NickW
Of course it doesn't show up on their website - there is no such restriction. All paid fares earn 100% miles according to their class of service on AZ.
#7
Ambassador: Thai Airways
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Originally Posted by graraps
.....but the bad thing about AF's FFP is that you won't earn miles for some booking classes on partner airlines. These sometimes are excluded because they're cheap fares (KE Q-class).....
Anyway, back to the OP's question,..here are my comments.
1. If you can achieve 75K MQMs for sure in 2005, do with DL Skymiles because you will earn 100% mileage bonus on all SkyTeam flights once you reach Gold Medallion at 50K miles) plus Crown Room Club Member (once you reach Platinum at 75K). Especially, if you are still based in the US, DL is a very good option. Plus, if you can reach 1 Million MQMs, you will become LifeTime Medallion (start with Silver).
2. Frequence Plus easily gives you Elite Plus Status once you achieve only 40K miles but you will get only 50% mileage bonus. Over the long run, you do the math for that 50% difference.
Frequence Plus gives you mileage upgrade option (when you fly Economy Y or K fare). But you mentioned you will likely to fly business class only, then upgrade is no longer an issue.
Last but not least, AF website functionality is really way behind comparing to other SkyTeam Partners (e.g. Delta, CO or NW).
Strictly based on my opinion, I will pick the Delta program to get that 100% bonus (at Gold status) plus Crown Room Club Membership along with 6 Upgrade Coupons (on Y, B and M Fare) at Platinum Status.
Regarding Comp Match, contact Delta or go to this thread.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9558
You may want to double check but I believe I saw something about Delta matching status from non-SkyTeam airlines. AF does NOT match for sure from what I know. If you can gel Delta to match even up to Gold, you will start enjoy 100% mileage bonus right away.
Last edited by kiam; Jan 20, 2005 at 11:48 pm Reason: add more info
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Thank you all for the advice. My initial instinct was to go for DL but their ongoing viability worried me.
The status matching does sound attractive as does the lounge access. My only question is that I thought Skyteam was similar to OW and *A - ie US airline FF elite members don't get lounge access on US domestic sectors, while elites from non-US airlines in the alliance do (eg AAdv members v. QF members flying US domestic segments). Hence my inclination for AF.
If that comment from graraps about AF F+ members with non-US addresses getting 100% miles bonus is correct then I see little advnatage of going with DL - I am unlikely to be flying DL domestically.
One additional question, how is availability of awards on alliance partners? are the redemption levels the same from any airline's program or are some better value?
The status matching does sound attractive as does the lounge access. My only question is that I thought Skyteam was similar to OW and *A - ie US airline FF elite members don't get lounge access on US domestic sectors, while elites from non-US airlines in the alliance do (eg AAdv members v. QF members flying US domestic segments). Hence my inclination for AF.
If that comment from graraps about AF F+ members with non-US addresses getting 100% miles bonus is correct then I see little advnatage of going with DL - I am unlikely to be flying DL domestically.
One additional question, how is availability of awards on alliance partners? are the redemption levels the same from any airline's program or are some better value?
#9
Ambassador: Thai Airways
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bangkok
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Originally Posted by alect
...My only question is that I thought Skyteam was similar to OW and *A - ie US airline FF elite members don't get lounge access on US domestic sectors, while elites from non-US airlines in the alliance do (eg AAdv members v. QF members flying US domestic segments). Hence my inclination for AF....
Regarding Non-US Frequence Plus Red members earning 100% bonus instead of 50%, I am double checking with Frequence Plus Thailand and I will let you know if that is correct....Thanks,... I just moved from the US, so the 50% bonus deal was kind of stick in my head.
For award availability, I have not had much problems so far as long as you plan in advance.
#10
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Join Date: May 2004
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Originally Posted by kiam
KE Q Class does NOT accru either award miles or qualification miles on any of SkyTeam partners' frequent flyer programs, not just Frequence Plus.
#11
Ambassador: Thai Airways
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Originally Posted by graraps
Not true. It accrues 70% for OK+ members.
#12
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Join Date: Dec 2000
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Posts: 10,131
[QUOTE=kiam]
Regarding Non-US Frequence Plus Red members earning 100% bonus instead of 50%, I am double checking with Frequence Plus Thailand and I will let you know if that is correct....Thanks,... I just moved from the US, so the 50% bonus deal was kind of stick in my head.
[QUOTE]
Non-FRENCH Frequency Plus Red members earn 100% bonus, according to AF F+ monitor.
Certainly not noted on what is called the AF website.
Regarding Non-US Frequence Plus Red members earning 100% bonus instead of 50%, I am double checking with Frequence Plus Thailand and I will let you know if that is correct....Thanks,... I just moved from the US, so the 50% bonus deal was kind of stick in my head.
[QUOTE]
Non-FRENCH Frequency Plus Red members earn 100% bonus, according to AF F+ monitor.
Certainly not noted on what is called the AF website.
#13
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York City
Programs: BA Gold Guest List; HH Diamond; Hyatt Diamond; SPG Gold
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Originally Posted by graraps
Not true. It accrues 70% for OK+ members.
On the other hand, I'm never going to find out because it sounds like a cheap economy bucket and there's no way I'm going to Korea in the back of the bus.
#14
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Originally Posted by NickW
I'm never going to find out because it sounds like a cheap economy bucket and there's no way I'm going to Korea in the back of the bus.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
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So the major benefits of DL membership is lounge membership and elite bonus and SWUs?
If I was F+ rouge and teavelling within US on DL/CO/NW could i not gain access to a lounge based on being a Skyteam elite?
If I was F+ rouge and teavelling within US on DL/CO/NW could i not gain access to a lounge based on being a Skyteam elite?