advice on switching programmes
 

I know this has likely come up before, but unfortunately, I keep getting error message after error message when I try a search.

I currently have 200k points banked in WorldPerks. I'm intending to burn those points on WBC tickets for my wife and I early next year. That'll effectively bring my WP balance to just about zero.

At the same time, I've been accumulating FlyingBlue points over the last couple of months (only about 12k so far.) I was kind-of talked into joining FlyingBlue by a KLM ticket-agent on the promise that qualifying for Gold Elite Plus would be a relatively easy goal to achieve since I am resident in neither France nor the US.

I used to fly NWA fairly often, which is why I joined WP in the first place, but I haven't been on an NWA plane in a long time. Most of my flights recently have been on KLM, and I expect that to continue.

But I'm having second thoughts about abandoning WorldPerks, though. I've never had problems with WP, and over my time with them they've always seemed to have great bonus offers and promotions. Still, I mostly fly on KLM now and qualifying for status on FB will likely be much easier than on WP.

So what's the advice? Dump WP for FB? Dump FB and stick with WP? Keep both? Dump both and switch to something else?

You don't mention what class you fly or where you live :S

Right now, WP has a bunch of promotions because they're trying not to bleed customers with the bankrupcy stigma. (Those news segments about people stuck at end destinations after airlines go under stick in travellers minds). Whether that will continue after (if) they recover has yet to be seen.

I will mention this: All KLM economy fares earn 100% EQMs on CO onepass. And mid-tiers (gold) based in europe get elite-plus status (instead of skyteam elite).

yes, be careful! You can also transfer your miles from WP to FB. 40k is a great deal for FB Gold = ST Elite Plus. You still get NW upgrades and actually domestic NW lounge access. However, there are a number of issues, which have been discussed before. FB is also DEFECTIVE! If you want to know more, let me know where you live and what kind of tickets you usually purchase (send me a PM). I am tempted to switch to WP from FB (this is on hold now, since they re-introduced the domestic US lounge access).

Thanks for the replies so far. I guess I should've been a bit more specific. I usually fly from YUL, KUL or AMS and am currently resident in both Canada and Malaysia, but I might be resident in Eastern Europe (Warsaw, Prague or Budapest) in the near future. I typically fly the cheapest, full miles-earning economy ticket for short-haul, and the cheapest WBC fare I can find on long-haul. I don't travel to or through the US anymore. My first choice had been Flying Dutchman, but because of my residence and because I was mostly flying NWA on trans-pacific routes at the time, I was forced into into WP. It was a pecularity of the NWA/KLM alliance that some people could not join Flying Dutchman and had to join WorldPerks

And the other way around, I was forced to switch from WP to FD ;) As long as you can avoid V-class on KL/NW and L-class on AF you should be doing fine with FB (any non-US address will work).

I guess it would depend on where you end up living and flying....if you're in Europe, I would go with KLM FB since you are there...NW doesn't have any operations there and little to no support for it's elite when traveling....

If you are in Asia lots, then maybe staying with WP would be good, since as WP Asia Gold, you get free Worldclub membership....

You can transfer your miles into FB from WP if you want to consolidate too...I got an offer letter to do so with a FB account mailing address in the US.