Which Star Alliance membership is best?
Oct 14, 2001, 10:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Sunny Switzerland
Programs: BD / BA / AF
Posts: 4,388
Which Star Alliance membership is best?
Shamelessly trawling these boards for content for www.mileagerunner.com, I was hoping to open the debate about which *A membership is best. I've seen BlondeBomber's Star Alliance Comparison site, which does an excellent job of describing how the various programs differ. But what I'm really after is which programs are most appropriate for which sets of travellers. For example:
Those who want to earn status very quickly should pick AC (low mileage thresholds) or BD (particularly if they fly intercontinentally). BD is slightly quicker, AC offers upgrades on their own metal.
For those who travel business/first class, LH is the best program due to the way it credits status miles.
For those who travel, as *G, signficantly on partner airlines are well served by AC's mileage bonus.
Etc, etc, etc.
We've obviously got some * experts here, so I'd love to hear the pros, cons, and travel profiles that best suit each program.
Many thanks in advance!
[This message has been edited by MatthewClement (edited 10-14-2001).]
Those who want to earn status very quickly should pick AC (low mileage thresholds) or BD (particularly if they fly intercontinentally). BD is slightly quicker, AC offers upgrades on their own metal.
For those who travel business/first class, LH is the best program due to the way it credits status miles.
For those who travel, as *G, signficantly on partner airlines are well served by AC's mileage bonus.
Etc, etc, etc.
We've obviously got some * experts here, so I'd love to hear the pros, cons, and travel profiles that best suit each program.
Many thanks in advance!
[This message has been edited by MatthewClement (edited 10-14-2001).]
Oct 15, 2001, 6:45 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: Still a lowly Blue with BA but inching towards Bronze. Managed to get to KLM Silver!
Posts: 4,308
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sjharte:
BD are really stingey with their award levels though and don't give full points for cheaper flights.</font>
BD are really stingey with their award levels though and don't give full points for cheaper flights.</font>
Oct 15, 2001, 10:04 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Posts: 1,213
BD only looks good when comapred with the BA scheme in the UK!
I have a Diamond Club card but only use it occasionally - I put my BD flights on other * alliance cards.
I agree that BD may be a good way of getting status (don't them give you silver for nothing if you but one of their diamon passes?) but even with lots of points you don't get much free flight wise.
Stephen
Stephen
I have a Diamond Club card but only use it occasionally - I put my BD flights on other * alliance cards.
I agree that BD may be a good way of getting status (don't them give you silver for nothing if you but one of their diamon passes?) but even with lots of points you don't get much free flight wise.
Stephen
Stephen
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaza:
Agreed. But if the majority of your flights are in Biz then it is a good programme. Last year I managed to get comp to Silver on the basis of my BA status. My tier points were reset to zero when I was upgraded. Immediately after this I did a RTW in C/J. By the time I finished I had reached 1200 tier points and therefore enough for Gold. Since then I have reached 1200 points again so Gold is assured for another year. Not bad considering all bar one flight has been UK domestic! My companies route deal on EDI-LHR is £189 for fully flexible Business Class so I get 60 (tier and miles) points per return. Our deal with BA is similar yet I get zero tier points and only 125 miles!
</font>
Agreed. But if the majority of your flights are in Biz then it is a good programme. Last year I managed to get comp to Silver on the basis of my BA status. My tier points were reset to zero when I was upgraded. Immediately after this I did a RTW in C/J. By the time I finished I had reached 1200 tier points and therefore enough for Gold. Since then I have reached 1200 points again so Gold is assured for another year. Not bad considering all bar one flight has been UK domestic! My companies route deal on EDI-LHR is £189 for fully flexible Business Class so I get 60 (tier and miles) points per return. Our deal with BA is similar yet I get zero tier points and only 125 miles!
</font>
Oct 15, 2001, 11:52 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2001
Programs: AA PLT 2MM, LH SEN *, HH Gold
Posts: 3,075
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BlondeBomber:
"No other * carrier offers this facility" (50% mileage rewards for under 17)
Actually LH offers 50% for any travelling companion!
</font>
"No other * carrier offers this facility" (50% mileage rewards for under 17)
Actually LH offers 50% for any travelling companion!
</font>
Oct 16, 2001, 2:18 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: LH SEN, SPG Gold(SCI Gold), Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,451
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Hagbard Viking:
I believe you need to be a Senator (*Gold) member of LH to get 50% off companion tickets, whereas SAS offers 50% off for children whatever your status or non-status.</font>
I believe you need to be a Senator (*Gold) member of LH to get 50% off companion tickets, whereas SAS offers 50% off for children whatever your status or non-status.</font>