I was wondering if I could ask some advice from all you frequent travellers on Skyteam. I'm currently residing in Australia so there's no obvious SkyTeam program to enrol in.

I don't fly very frequently on SkyTeam so I was wondering if there are any member programs that have non expiring miles. Also, if the program has good burning ratio for redeeming flights that would be perfect. The ease of getting status is not too important as I will unlikely be able to maintain my status.

I will greatly appreciate any advice anyone can give me.

CO does not currently enforce their expiry policy, but they are leaving SkyTeam in October.

You can always keep a DL account alive with a hotel stay or similar activity credited to the account.

Great, I'll check out DL What about any of the Asian or European members? Do any of them offer non-expiring miles even via some hotel activity?

The various websites turn these up (excluding Continental and Copa with their impending departure), let me know if there are any errors or omissions.

Aeroflot - “All unredeemed miles will expire for Members who have not had flight eligible for accrual in the programme or co-branded bank cards activity in the past 3 calendar years (from 01.01.2009 2 calendar years).” http://eng.aeroflotbonus.ru/about.aspx?ob_no=244#4

Aeromexico - “When do Kilometers accrued in the Club Premier Account expire? Kilometers accrued in the Club Premier Account never expire; you just have to fly on an AM code flight at the full public fare price once every 24 months.” http://www.aeromexico.com/usa/englis...les.html#4_FAQ

Air France-KLM (also Air Europa and Kenya Airways) - “Validity of Award Miles - As a Flying Blue member, you can maintain your Award Miles for life, simply by taking one flight* every 20 months on AIR FRANCE, KLM, Air Europa, Kenya Airways or Aircalin, or on any SkyTeam member. * Must be a Miles-earning fare flight” http://www.airfrance.us/X02/en/local...cekedgfndgij.0

Alitalia - “It is important to know that... The current edition of the MilleMiglia Program has a duration of three years, from 1 January 2008 until 31 December 2010, unless otherwise extended. If, after a period of 24 months, you have not completed a miles-eligible transaction with either Alitalia or other commercial Partners, Alitalia reserves the right to close the account and void any accumulated miles.
Qualifying miles are those that allow you to gain access or renew your membership in the exclusive Clubs. You can earn them between 1 January and 31 December by flying with Alitalia, Air One or SkyTeam Partner and Associate airlines and with other Partners, when specifically indicated.” http://www.alitalia.com/US_EN/millem...lemiglia08.htm

China Southern - “Sky Pearl Club mileage is valid for two calendar years. If your total mileage does not reach 20,000Km after two calendar years, the mileage accumulated in the first calendar year will be reduced by half.” http://skypearl.csair.com/Templates/en.doc

Czech Airlines - “Is it possible that my unused miles will expire after a while? No, provided that at least one active transaction (earning miles) is noted in your account in 24 months. If this condition is not met, all miles automatically expire in the account and cannot be used.” http://usa.czechairlines.com/en/port..._questions.htm

Delta - “Currently, miles will not expire as long as you participate in one of the following activities at least once every two years:
* Earn miles for travel on a qualifying Delta, Delta Shuttle�, SkyTeam, or other SkyMiles airline partner flights.
* Earn or redeem miles with one of the SkyMiles program partners including hotels, car rentals, Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express, international credit card partners, SkyMiles Dining & Hotels by Rewards NetworkSM, MilePoint.com, mortgage lenders, CAP magazine subscriptions, real estate, or telecommunications partners.
* Buy Miles here at delta.com or by calling the number on the back of your SkyMiles card.
* Redeem miles on Delta, Delta Shuttle, a SkyTeam partner, or another SkyMiles airline partner.” https://www.delta.com/skymiles/about...ules/index.jsp

Korean Air - “Mileage earned in Korean Air’s SKYPASS program on or after July 1, 2008 has a validity of five years and any unredeemed mileage will expire. Mileage earned on or before June 30, 2008 will not expire. The five-year validity is calculated from the date of travel on Korean Air and partner airlines.” http://www.koreanair.com/

Thanks Supersonic Swinger ! That was an amazing compilation.

I checked out the various programs and it seems like Delta will fit my needs the best. I'm sure I will do more than one flight in 2 years but I like the flexibility offered by Delta.

Thanks again

Korean airline tried to reduce the expiration time 5-6 years ago to match Delta or Northwest. Korean government was against it and gave 3 year (i believe) grace period. Then KE changed the rule. still 5 years is a lot compared to US carriers. I think KE will try to match the rule eventually.

KE and OZ have very unique rules on their program. Family member can share miles and can not issue tickets for non-family members. For example, father has 20,000mile, mother has 20,000miles and son has 20,000miles.
They can issue a ticket for daughter with 60,000miles.

The difference between KE's 5 year policy and DL's 18 month policy is that with DL the window keeps getting extended as long as there is continued activity. With KE the miles just expire out at the end of their cycle, similar to B6 and WN. It prevents someone from hoarding miles over a long period of time to add up to a big reward. Because I credit to DL once a year or so I have miles that I earned 20 years ago still in my account.

The OP asked this question fourteen years ago, but I find myself now in almost exactly the same circumstances, (except that I am an Australian temporarily residing in Italy). I imagine that the scene has changed since the suggestions above were proffered, so I would welcome further thoughts on this topic. (ITA might seem to be an obvious choice, but their presence in the alliance seems to be a little marginal at present, and I have actually never flown with them/Alitalia in my four years here, so not sure how useful that will be going into the future.) Thanks in advance!

How temporarily?
Look at the wiki in Miles/Points that Do and Don't Expire