Aegean’s Star Alliance Gold status - 20000 miles

[Foreigner]

Air NZ also codeshares with Air Tahiti Nui for AKL-PPT vv. and flt numbers are shown as NZ 4082/4081. Can such flights be used in redeeming SQ miles?

 

[kamchatsky]

Air NZ also codeshares with Air Tahiti Nui for AKL-PPT vv. and flt numbers are shown as NZ 4082/4081. Can such flights be used in redeeming SQ miles?

No. It has to be on NZ metal, which means only NZ40/41. Have a look at the thread on NZ40/41 on FT:

NZ40/41 Auckland to Papeete - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[Foreigner]

No. It has to be on NZ metal, which means only NZ40/41. Have a look at the thread on NZ40/41 on FT:

NZ40/41 Auckland to Papeete - FlyerTalk Forums

Thanks, edison. I started this thread with thought on Star Alliance gold status to add another dimension to airport lounges. I have big sum of SQ miles but no status to access their (or any other *A) lounges. Your comments about 35k miles for PER-AKL-PPT return in J has convinced me that is exceptional value. I presume J travel will enable use of Koru lounges (PER and AKL though PPT doesn't appear to have one). On that note, I am ready to hit the bed for early start for work in the morning.

 

[kamchatsky]

Thanks, edison. I started this thread with thought on Star Alliance gold status to add another dimension to airport lounges. I have big sum of SQ miles but no status to access their (or any other *A) lounges. Your comments about 35k miles for PER-AKL-PPT return in J has convinced me that is exceptional value. I presume J travel will enable use of Koru lounges (PER and AKL though PPT doesn't appear to have one). On that note, I am ready to hit the bed for early start for work in the morning.

Yes, J on NZ allows you to get to all Koru lounges, as well as additional luggage allowance (not that you need it to go to PPT). PPT has a "Premium Lounge" (shared for all international airlines) which you can use, not as good as Koru lounges but have great view of runway! It also stocks some wines as well as local beers (Hinano Tahiti and Tabu).

Even SYD-AKL-PPT on J for 35K is still exceptional value, so you don't have to fly from SYD-PER.

 

[anat0l]

OZ redemptions are mileage based. So their redemptions are good for hopping around Europe, e.g. LHR-OSL-FRA-CIA-ATH-VCE-MUC-MAN with stops in every city would cost 45k. Extend this up to 10k miles for 55k. Oneworld doesn't have as much of a presence in Europe, compared to Star Alliance. I think there are something like 11 airlines that service Europe, and you could theoretically fly them all on an Asiana award.

Interesting about the OZ awards, although your routing wouldn't cut it if you stopped at each of those, because itineraries can only have up to 5 stopovers, and only up to 2 stopovers per nation.

Also, my gut tells me that Euro shorthaul can be miserable for miles redemption at times due to the high taxes (relative to the base fare cost of cash tickets). But your point is taken about OZ's system.

 

[JohnK]

Something I forgot to consider yet is mileage expiry as well as earn/burn power. OZ and AC have 7 year expiry on their miles. LH and TK have 3 years. I had to do a bit more searching than desired, but A3 miles don't expire "as long as the account is kept active".

A3 must have done a total program revamp since joining *Alliance. Mileage expiry was 12 months before which made it almost impossible to earn any miles worth redeeming.

 

[anat0l]

A3 must have done a total program revamp since joining *Alliance. Mileage expiry was 12 months before which made it almost impossible to earn any miles worth redeeming.

The T&Cs aren't very clear. From what I could tell, the account is closed and/or miles forfeited if you go 12 months without activity. That could be what you are thinking or what you're saying is that miles had a hard 12 month expiry.

Either case is quite short compared to most other FFPs, but a 12 month hard expiry is certainly very short.

 

[futaris]

Interesting about the OZ awards, although your routing wouldn't cut it if you stopped at each of those, because itineraries can only have up to 5 stopovers, and only up to 2 stopovers per nation.

Yes, a stopover is > 24 hours. But if you really want to visit a lot of places, then a short RTW is better value, anyway.

Also, my gut tells me that Euro shorthaul can be miserable for miles redemption at times due to the high taxes (relative to the base fare cost of cash tickets). But your point is taken about OZ's system.

ANA's system is similar and a good indicator for calculating such taxes, if you have miles there...

 

[futaris]

Aegean Airlines — the New and Easiest Path to Star Alliance Gold Status - View from the Wing
Star Alliance Gold status for just 20,000 status miles - One Mile at a Time
Super easy Star Alliance Gold status with Aegean - Musings of The Global Traveller

 

[Foreigner]

No. It has to be on NZ metal, which means only NZ40/41. Have a look at the thread on NZ40/41 on FT:

NZ40/41 Auckland to Papeete - FlyerTalk Forums

That's a nice TR and wonderful pics.

And yes, why bother doing SYD-PER-SYD just for an extra 2+ hours each sector on NZ.

f

 

[StevePER]

Here's my trip reports from a few years ago:
PER-AKL-PPT-BOB-PPT-SCL-EZE
LIM-SCL-IPC-PPT-AKL-PER

PER-AKL-PPT is such a good bargain it makes me reluctant to use points for anything else.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I was having a look at the Aegean Airlines chart for earning miles.

With the 20,000 miles to get you to Gold, a standard BNE-SIN-LHR(or a whole bunch of other airports in Europe) a round trip would be enough for Gold.

How do you tell whether the Singapore Airlines flight you selected is 100% of the miles flown.

Example BNE-SIN-FRA-SIN-BNE is 20,412 miles.

And the page brings back the following Summary of fare conditions: Fare Basis Code EKPR3M

From the Aegean web page you get this.

EDITED,

ECONOMY CLASS​

​

http://en.aegeanair.com/milesandbonus/Content.aspx?code=winFly#singapore

Economy Class
S, Y, B, E, M, H, W, U, L, K
100%


​

Maybe 20,416 miles for $2,600 for Star Alliance Gold seems pretty cheap.

I guess the only problem you have to do one round trip without status to get anywhere. :-|

 

[Aussie_flyer]

You could always have signed up for OZ, do 2 x East Coast - Europe returns real quick and have Star Gold for the next 4 YEARS

 

[JohnK]

I guess the only problem you have to do one round trip without status to get anywhere. :-|

Only been Platinum for a month and all of a sudden you are scared of a few flights in economy without status.

Here is a free tip for you. If you sign up as an SQ KrisFlyer member and book the flights early enough you can pre-allocate an aisle seat in the 3rd row of economy. And for US50 you can have confirmed an aisle seat in an exit row.

Oh and as a Platinum you have access to any QF Business Lounges if flying on SQ. Should cover Australia and Singapore which only leaves some parts of Europe to worry about. Not that hard if you really want *Gold as well as Oneworld Emerald.

 

[anat0l]

I was having a look at the Aegean Airlines chart for earning miles.

With the 20,000 miles to get you to Gold, a standard BNE-SIN-LHR(or a whole bunch of other airports in Europe) a round trip would be enough for Gold.

How do you tell whether the Singapore Airlines flight you selected is 100% of the miles flown.

Example BNE-SIN-FRA-SIN-BNE is 20,412 miles.

And the page brings back the following Summary of fare conditions: Fare Basis Code EKPR3M

Which part of the Aegean web page did you get that tabulated mess from?

You need to read the Singapore Airlines (or, on the webpage, SINGAPORE) section and look up the fare code (first letter, E), which will tell you that a SQ fare on E basis earns 100% BIS miles.

Aegean Airlines

 

[Bundy Bear]

Only been Platinum for a month and all of a sudden you are scared of a few flights in economy without status.

Oh and as a Platinum you have access to any QF Business Lounges if flying on SQ. Should cover Australia and Singapore which only leaves some parts of Europe to worry about. Not that hard if you really want *Gold as well as Oneworld Emerald.

I will try any airline, any route just for the experience.

Flying Qantas in the last 7 years I have always had status, the First Class lounge has been a huge draw to get me to Platinum.

I guess I could use the Qantas lounge at Brisbane for a few quick beers before my flight on SQ to Singapore, could I use the Qantas lounge in Singapore during the 4 hour transit.

One idea I had was flying BNE-SIN-ATH on SQ then ATH-VIE in the afternoon on A3, then a week later VIE-FRA on OS then FRA-SIN-BNE on SQ.

Trying to find a cheap VIE-FRA flight could be a little difficult.

Can you see anything in Athens during an 8 hour transit.

Which part of the Aegean web page did you get that tabulated mess from?

You need to read the Singapore Airlines (or, on the webpage, SINGAPORE) section and look up the fare code (first letter, E), which will tell you that a SQ fare on E basis earns 100% BIS miles.

Aegean Airlines

Thanks I was looking at the wrong table; I had trouble figuring out the website, have edited my post so it has the correct information.

Economy Class
S, Y, B, E, M, H, W, U, L, K
100%​

So its the first number in the six digit fare class that is important, I think I saw a W class fare which might be a bit cheaper.

You could always have signed up for OZ, do 2 x East Coast - Europe returns real quick and have Star Gold for the next 4 YEARS

Doing 4 transatlantic flights to get me Star Gold on OZ for 4 years if my timing was right; who would want to do that.

Why Vienna; for this 17-19 SEP 2010:The VIE Waltz-DO

 

[JohnK]

I guess I could use the Qantas lounge at Brisbane for a few quick beers before my flight on SQ to Singapore, could I use the Qantas lounge in Singapore during the 4 hour transit.

No problem accessing QF lounge in BNE and SIN although it will depend on the time you are transitting SIN. If you are on the SQ BNE-SIN red-eye that flight gets in to SIN a little early and the QF lounge does not open until 6:30am.

Can you see anything in Athens during an 8 hour transit.

If you have the energy then catch the airport bus (a few Euros) to Syntagma which is ~1 hour trip. Then use the metro (costs ~1 Euro for a 90 minute ticket) to go to places like Acropolis, Omonoia etc. Return to Syntagma and get on the airport bus.

 

[anat0l]

Doing 4 transatlantic flights to get me Star Gold on OZ for 4 years if my timing was right; who would want to do that.

I think he means East Coast Australia to Europe, not East Coast USA.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I think he means East Coast Australia to Europe, not East Coast USA.

Ah; ok; I am sure lots of flyertalkers have done USA to Europe and back just for the miles.

Going to Europe twice in 1 month could be tough but not impossible.

Probably easier on the body than the bank account. :-|

Thanks for the information on Athens JohnK; just looking at accommodation and that might kill the idea of going to Vienna.

I think I will stick to just going to USA in November for StarmegaDo2.