Considering Sky Team
 

I usually spend most of my time on the *Alliance forums as I mostly fly SQ, TG, OZ and AC. Forgot to mention NZ.
However I am doing frequent trips to Tahiti and there aren't many airlines left travelling from North America and going via AKL from YVR is a very long trip and costly.
I have decided to use AF from LAX to PPT, which I am going at least 3 - 4 times a year. I did do it via AKL a couple of times on NZ and now that NZ has discontinued the direct route from LAX the only reasonable mileage collectable airline is AF.
I do fly quite a bit in North America and wouldn't mind using SKY team airlines.
Could any of you give some advice on which one to choose?
I am not to excited about NW because of service and almost narrowed it down to CO and DL. Is any better then the other with regards to service and product or are they all very similar these days. I am very familiar with UA and they are o.k., how do CO and DL compare to UA?
I am quite certain that I could build up to at least Gold level, maybe even Platinum (75,000 miles) if I move my North American trips to SKY team airlines + trips to the South Pacific.
I would appreciate any advice and help. I am willing to trade advice on SKY team for advice on *A.:)

In your case (assuming mailing address in Canada) it might make sense to sign up for AFKL Flying Blue. You will be FB Gold and Skyteam Elite Plus after 40000 miles.

As you are on AF's own program you can more easily arrange upgrades or award tickets for your flights to PPT and as a FB Gold/ST E+ you will have a good chance at getting a lot of free FC upgrades when flying NW (for whatever they are worth) plus Worldclub Access also for your domestic flights on NW.

Thank you very much. I am based in Vancouver. I didn't give this option much thought but will now as you have a good point. I did see on an comparison chart that FB has the lowest requirement in miles to become top tier, 70,000 compared to the 75,000 needed by others. I didn't realize that being FB Gold/ST would give you a good chance for upgrades on NW and I read somewhere that AF does not do upgrades unless it's overbooked.
How are the benefits when flying CO or DL?

Priority boarding on CO and DL as a ST elite or elite plus member.

Lounge access on international ST flights.

Otherwise, not a whole lot.

Cheers.

- FB Elites are treated on par with WP Elites for upgrades on NW (I am upgraded 80-90% of all NW flights) but seem to be considered after NW/CO on CO and not at all or as sporadic ST Elite+ on DL.
- FB Gold will get you lounge access at both CO and DL with international itinerary.
- FB not subject to 50% eqm restrictions as between CO and NW
- AF WILL only upgrade for operational reasons but gives priority to own members and higher fare classes. AF upgrades can be arranged with miles for FB members but not for NW/CO/DL members.

Key disadvantage of FB: if you fly economy in the very cheapest fares you will earn 0-25-50% miles.

Key advantage of FB over other programs if you plan to fly for the next decade is that 10 years of Platinum gives you Platinum for Life.

Thank you Klm is Dead - Long Live KLM, this is very helpful and I actually have signed up for a FB account on the AF website.
Is priority check-in applicable for all ST member airlines?
What is the 50% EQM restriction between CO and NW?

I have checked already and it seems the fares to PPT, even the lowest one is a T fare accrues miles on FB. Good thing on the AF website is, when making a booking it tells you: "For Flying Blue members, the selected fare entitles you to accumulate at least 8 214 miles per person."
This was particularly for the LAX-PPT-LAX sectors.
You have been a great help, thanks again.^

Your welcome. Maybe we will be on the same flights to PPT this month.

Yes to ST check in.

For EQM restrictions on Worldperks, search NW forum.

Regarding your *A offer:
Anyone do status matches with ST Platinum Elite?
If I fly a lot of transatlantic in both cheap econ & business is one *A program better than another for getting/keeping status, award availability, etc.?

I will be going to PPT in mid May, since there are only 4 flights a week probably around the 17th, 18th.
About *A: With regards to status match I think your best chance would be on UA. I have not heard AC doing a status match, the opposite actually.
If your transatlantic flights are to the US I would probably go with UA, though on AC you only need 35,000 miles to become and stay *Gold, UA 50,000 and most others too.
Award availability seems to be similar on most carriers these days. I never really had to much problem getting award seats on AC and with their new B777 just delivered with fully flat beds I think they will be great to fly from Europe to North America. UA too has plans to refurbish their C and F cabins but that might take a while.
Depending how much you fly, if you become a Super Elite with AC, 100,000 miles required, your chances of upgrades even on international flights are not bad.
Another program to think about might be BD. I am not to familiar but have heard good things about their low redemption levels.
There is more on that on the *forum.
I hope this helps. Don't want to write to much about * on this forum so I don't upset anyone.:)

Upgrades on AF are quasi impossible to get unless they are overbooked indeed.

As for CO, the nice thing is that they recognize your elite status in the seat selection tool, and allow you to pick premium seats.

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

by that you mean upgrades using miles ?

(btw nice user name I'm also from the region)

GenevaFlyer means picking the better economy seats, not upgrading.

Actually, no, I do mean upgrades with miles. But then, picking a good seat with Air France really depends on who you talk to at the Reservations desk.

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer