Air Berlin Earning Points

[Ansett]

As we all know Air Berlin is one of the OW members. I have just been looking at the Topbonus programme and noticed that one can earn points and Status mIles that count towards OWE by flying on Ethiad, a NON OW airline.

In addition the points and staus miles earnt are higher on Ethiad than on other OW airlines!

Thus one could infact fly Ethiad and earn OW status at a much quicker rate or am I missing something

Ethiad earn rates and QF earn Rates



As you can see flying Ethiad in F earns 250% miles versus 150% with QF

Has anyone looked into the merits of utilising Air Berlin as the main FF programme?

 

[Mwenenzi]

As with any freq fly program you need to check the miles cost of awards (including any cash payments ) and the miles / SC equivalent / status bonus earnings on the airline - class you fly most with. Not many people fly paid F. Those that do may not care about ffp's'

General information (may not be up to date)
http://www.hotels-and-travel.de/ffp/oneworld/ow_emerald.htm
http://www.hotels-and-travel.de/ffp/oneworld/ow_ruby.htm
http://www.hotels-and-travel.de/ffp/oneworld/ow_sapphire.htm

EY owns 29.1% of AB Air Berlin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
EY also owns a significant share of Virgin Australia Virgin Australia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Etihad Airways - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[whatmeworry]

AB's YQ charge is high for redemption's. Although they be will cheap redemption's soon. topdeal tickets - airberlin.com

Plus the earn rates with other OW might not be that great.

Additionally Ethiad is poised to join OW and plus earning CC points might be hard unless your based in Germany/and or Europe.

 

[Ansett]

AB's YQ charge is high for redemption's. Although they be will cheap redemption's soon. topdeal tickets - airberlin.com

Plus the earn rates with other OW might not be that great.

Additionally Ethiad is poised to join OW and plus earning CC points might be hard unless your based in Germany/and or Europe.

Ethiad or Qatar to Join OW?

Cant see another middle east carrier being invited to One World

 

[mannej]

Ethiad or Qatar to Join OW?

Cant see another middle east carrier being invited to One World

Qatar is in the process of joining...

This is well documented.

 

[whatmeworry]

Ethiad or Qatar to Join OW?

Cant see another middle east carrier being invited to One World

I should have said they been reportedly invited to OW.

“We have an important presence in the Indian sub-continent through member carriers such as Qatar Airways and Sri Lankan Airlines flying into India,” he said, adding that Etihad Airways is also being extended an invitation to join the alliance. Kingfisher had accumulated losses of Rs 16,024 crore as on March 31, 2013 while its operating permit has lapsed.

Kingfisher Airlines

 

[Mwenenzi]

More .http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ity/virgin-australian-hooks-up-air-52208.html
Who knows what the effect is Maybe AB (OneWorld) miles when on VA codeshare

Link from the other thread:- http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-australia-hooks-up-with-airberlin

 

[tyrolean]

OK, just my thougt about the AB Program:

I am based in Germany and fly AB quite a lot. I still credt my flights to QF - I rack up some SCs - but the milage is abysmal ( 79 Miles for flights in cheap Eco).

The AB Program has some nice earners if you live in Germany (Credit card, status miles with credit card, lots of bonus programs).

In addition to Oneworld you can earn statusmiles with EY.
They just announced a partnership with DJ - so it is a program where you can earn points with QF and DJ!

Warning:
The financial state of AB is very very bad. At the moment they are supported by EY. If the Sheik loses interest in his expensive baby, the plug can be pulled quite fast.
I have no problems in buying tickets with them.

The Bonus Program has been sold to EY, so in case AB has any problems the points may be save - but I would not be sure with that.

Until reaching LTG I still stick with QF.

 

[whatmeworry]

IIRC the problem with AB topbonus is the points expiry after 3 years if you don't hold Gold membership (50K) with AB to prevent points expiring.