Aegean vs TK--mileage program comparison
 

Hi folks:

I signed up for A3's M+B several years ago when there were still sweet spots in the award redemption chart. Now that they are gone, I wonder if I should bank my *A miles with Turkish's M+S. For those who have compared these two programs, what are your thoughts? For example, how is TK's customer service? Has there been any hacks into TK's IT system? What about their *A award availability?

I am based in the US west coast and therefore will not fly A3 or TK extensively. For SQ miles, I bank with AS.

Thank you for your advice.

Hey,

I am currently Gold in both A3 and TK (Elite Plus), but I am based in EU, so it's pretty easy to mantain A3 if you're able to fly 4 segments with Aegean.

Basically, the TK customer service is surprisingly bad, especially considering their product. I love flying with Turkish but I really hope there won't be any cancellations because trying to resolve any issues with TK requires lots of time and effort.
To redeem it's also pretty consuming, since you need to deal with the level of customer service as mentioned above, and the star award booking is usually broken, it really rarely works. And they disabled first class awards some time ago. Availability of star awards I'd say is super low via website or the phone.

On a good side, it's relatively easy to keep the status. If you're able to upgrade to Elite Plus, they'll give away two upgrade coupons every year, so it's really cool perk.
Award prices are extraordinary low, so if you're ready to deal with airport agents or exchange 20 e-mails to be able to book - it'll be fine.
They run quite often some award discounts for TK operated flights, and while TK provides really good service onboard - in my opinon - it's a good deal. Ex. you can get trans continental flight in business RT for appx 60k miles, while in Aegean that's the cost of a one way flight.

Basically - TK provides a good value, but you need to spend some time and energy to get what you need.
Aegean I'd say is more easy to work with, but there's been a lot of devaluation recently. Personally, I keep Aegean only for first class awards and only because I'm able to easily fly 4 segments with them every year, so it's only 12k miles to extend the status.

One thing to add in favor of M&S since you are based in the US, is the second to non sweet spot of intra north American award prices.

Which, like all *A awards, are very hard to book...

AC

Can you elaborate on this -- Do you mean AC awards are easier to get? Or, do you mean that AC's Aeroplan is your recommended program to join? Thanks.

Sorry to fast :)
To get available award space on AC using M&S miles.

Thanks. When are AC awards usually released--closer to departure dates or far in advance? I never see AC long-haul awards in UA or A3's programs.

You won't find any long-haul space on AC.

However you can sometimes find domestic award space, which thanks to the M&S award chart is very cheap in J. IME TK will only see non-stop flights, not connecting...


Read the long thread on booking partner awards through M&S. If that intimidates you, give M&S a hard pass. If you like putting in a lot of effort to get a few bargains, then M&S has potential for you.

M&S are very cheap when it comes to J award price for *A partners in North America.
Dom. 12.500 points OW.
US <-> Canada 15.000 points OW.

These awards are fairly easy to get on AC.
It's a long time since I have bought a revenue ticket YUL-YVR. Massive saving!

There is a but in regards to my comment on AC. They have been handing out Aeroplan status to US frequent flyers like candy, during the shut down. This can possibly put a strain on availability in the short term (they are not going to stick around).

- I just pulled up a random date (November 8th.) for YUL-YVR in J and there was availability. 12.500 points for 5,5-6 hours in a fully flat seat, thats not bad :)
When it comes to TATL flights and choosing M&S, your best bet would be TK over UA and AC.

A little off topic - but with M&S , you can still earn elite status with not flying on there airline a single time ? Was looking to join them for all my Star alliance flying but not likely to get a change to fly on the directly. Thanks