Best Star Alliance Program

[anat0l]

Thanks for that information anat0l. I will definitely see how to go about this. I guess it does say on their website that you only get the privileges if you have the card - then again in reality, I never use my QFF card (only at shopping partners like duty free) because they never ask for it.

Different rules everywhere, but I do know for most *G partners - even NZ - do ask for *G cards often.

Just because you get away with it somewhere or with an airline doesn't mean it will never happen. For example, many people have been caught short because BA strongly enforce "cards or no-go" to their lounges in LHR (amongst others). Some have managed to get around it by explaining that, for example, they turned status just recently and haven't been home, or made them look up their reference in a computer, but others have remarked that they wouldn't budge, either.

If you need to deal with third party services (e.g. third party operated lounges, not operated by an airline in the alliance or operated by an airline outside the alliance), then you may have even greater difficulty.

 

[Halion]

Sitting in the Silver Kris Lounge in HKG atm waiting for my SIN connection and let me just say this has been fun.

Flying Y class with SQ (what can I say? my company has a Y class policy) and my A3 status is shown on the boarding pass. At SYD SQ Lounge, I was asked to show my *G card but nowhere else.

Nice to be able to use the lounges and get priority boarding, shame about the Asian idea of hard beds, still sore from a bad night's sleep

 

[elbarto]

First answer: Not sure - I've heard a rumour from someone that they might have been matched by A3 (Aegean), but you can only try and write in and see what they say, if you are so inclined.

Coincidentally, I've just sent A3 off an email inquiring if they will do a status match. I'll post the outcome if and when they reply.

 

[elbarto]

This morning I received this from Aegean:

Dear Mr. El Barto


Thank you for communicating with us. Unfortunately, it is not plausible to waive the Terms & Conditions of our Loyalty Scheme for a premature upgrade of your account.

Allow us to remind you, finally, that you will be upgraded to Gold Membership as soon as you accrue 20.000 Status Miles in total (or 16.000 within one year after your upgrade to the Blue tier).

Remaining at your disposal,

 

[gaz0303]

Hijacking thread as very similar request.

My oldies are travelling from BNE to LHR return with SQ. Rushed in and joined them up before I discovered this site. They are getting 100% miles but will get less the 25000 points each which is minimum SYD-NZ trip. Any chance of getting any flights with this amount? Yet to claim points from return leg.

Father-in-law travelling SYD-LHR with Air China - not sure what economy class (cheapest flight).

For all, travel is seldom but hoping to maximise points by at least getting a flight to NZ which will be the next desintation for all or a domestic flight.

So what program to join them up too to get some value or least be abe to transfer points into my name?

So far I gather:
Best to stick with Krisflyer for my parents, see if they return to UK in next three years or hope that the reported good customer service allows something with accumulated points.

Airpoints might be able to get a flight or contribute to flight.

SAA voyager - points appear redeemable for QANTAS flights.

Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[serfty]

Maybe best to stick with SQ.

You can transfer Amex MR point to SQ at a ratio of 1:1, minimum of 5000 per transfer for top up purposes.

 

[Fantic125]

The other alternative is Asiana.

40k miles within 2 yearsrequired to achieve *G, but once you have achieved it you have another 2 years from your anniversary date to re-qualify.

Their redemptions aren't as good value as SQ but still better than some other programs, and miles don't expire for 7+ years depending on your status.

 

[Isochronous]

This Aegean offer seems good for Australians - I just signed up - one MEL-LHR return trip on SQ gets you *G. What do you have to do to retain status, and has anyone else been given Gold for three years like one of the posters above or was that just anomalous?

 

[rayonline]

Hope I am not digging a old thread but it's quite useful for others ...

I am from NZ when the ratios are worst than AU

I've spent time going thru every *A carrier. To get Gold easiest it is either Aegean or Asiana. On paper Aegean may be the easiest but take note that some flights only get 0.70 points per mile flown, while Asiana gives you 1.0. And b/c Asiana allow you to get the points in 24 months that might have some advantage to you.

I know you didn't care about rewards or points but, Aegean for the flights that I was interested in was harder with Aegean. Aegean required more points to get a reward.

And in terms of maintaining Gold, I guess no one really knows as Aegean has not been on it long enough to testify. There is a rumour that you only need to keep it active - one mile but that seems a bit optimistic. I guess you might need the 16K points in one calendar year ... not sure. If it was 16K in all the 3yrs - that might be a bit optimistic too....

 

[extracta]

I was also looking at alternative Star Alliance FF program as well as QFF for my trips to Thailand 3-4 times a year. I am not likely to get status in Star Alliance so earning and burning miles was more important.

My flights are similar to this, have you checked out either aegean or asiana as others are suggesting.

I haven't as of yet but I am now going to.

I would be interested to know what you think.

 

[cbourl]

why would anyone even bother with Krisflyer????
And Star Gold benefits suit me fine - I happen to like travelling with 3 bags at 32kg intra-USA and into-outof USA on UA - or an extra 20kg when its weight concept (unlimited pieces - compare this with the new QF baggage rules !)- sure beats One World Gold!
Tru A3, LH or UA mileage programs - A3 seems the best - if u travel reasonably freqwently (spelling intended!) why not get Star Gold in several programs!

 

[dajop]

why would anyone even bother with Krisflyer????

Lots of reasons. Main one, from Australian perspective is ability to combine with credit card earning. That aside, KF has strengths - waitlisting for awards is one big one I have used on multiple occasions. Discount for making booking online (or over the phone if website issues!) also brings down the earn/burn ration. I did a detailed analysis based on my travel patterns and preferred awards and found that as far as earn/burn goes (unsurprisingly) BMI had the best program for me . Second perhaps was Ethiopian (I say perhaps because I prefer to combine separate one way awards, and they charge one ways at 75% of return. On return though their earn/burn was second best). Then third - Krisflyer and Miles and More almost the same. Because of CC and waitlisting, I stayed with KF.

However KF is no good if you want to get quick and easy status. Nor is it good for certain travel patterns and award patterns.

It really is an individual decision, and ultimately if someone is serious about getting the best out of a program the only advice I can offer is to invest the time to review all the major star alliance programs (it isn't hard to find all the information on earn/burn rates on airline websites and ancillary advice through boards such as FlyerTalk and here), run the numbers based on estimated travel, desired awards and make your own decision. It took me about 2-3 hours to do this.

 

[cbourl]

KF????
With a 50% discount certificate ADL-SIN-ADL 24hr return 30 K miles + AU$220 taxes on a Y Saver?????
compare with
on UA
LH First Class MUC/FRA-TLV return 50K miles and $100US taxes
UA Y Class Saver Award 25K miles + US$5 taxes all bumped up to First FOC) LAX-SFO-IAD-JFK
There is no comparison whatsoever! Any 40 K miles with UA MP to Upgrade LX ZRH-JFK from C to F no taxes - still no comparison whatsoever!
Luckily for us SQ which is great in Y (much better than their C on A380 and A333!!!) is in the Star Alliance and we can use their Silverkris Lounges in ADL and SFO (SFO even when travelling domestically on UA using the intrasecurity walkway at SFO, use the shower and eat the nice garlic chilli pork and chicken wings, drink some nice Californian wine -sure beats the Star Gold Lounge at SIN Changi!!!!! - althohhboth lounges quite similar except for no toilets or showers at SIN-Changi in Krisflyer Gold lounge!!) so we like the fact LX and LH use them on their Euro fares when we go back to the homeland from ADL via SIN (SIN is great airport - one of the best - even better than Ben Gurion which imho is the best world wide after ATH and SIN)

 

[dajop]

KF????
With a 50% discount certificate ADL-SIN-ADL 24hr return 30 K miles + AU$220 taxes on a Y Saver?????
compare with
on UA
LH First Class MUC/FRA-TLV return 50K miles and $100US taxes
UA Y Class Saver Award 25K miles + US$5 taxes all bumped up to First FOC) LAX-SFO-IAD-JFK
There is no comparison whatsoever! Any 40 K miles with UA MP to Upgrade LX ZRH-JFK from C to F no taxes - still no comparison whatsoever!

As I said it's an individual choice, and you illustrate my point perfectly that each person has to take into account their individual circumstances. For you there may well be no comparison whatsoever, but for others there is sure to be.

I have no need, desire or want to travel from Germany to Tel Aviv, so that example is meaningless for me. Ditto for Zurich to JFK, no need desire or want for me Same with LAX-JFK . For me, SIN-MEL is important - to a get a one way flight in J on this sector - aside from BMI - Krisflyer and Miles and More offer similar earn/burns based on my travel patterns (both requiring only 70% of the travel than I would if I credited my travel to Mileage Plus on UA. Now of course this would differ if I was predominantly travelling on UA- or one of their partners that allow status bonus - but I do not). Krisflyer wins out over M&M for me because of CC spend and waitlisting for saver awards.

This is a classic case of YMMV.

 

[extracta]

One of the main problems with SQ and TG is that their lower fares do not come with FF miles. You have to pay hundreds of dollars more to get a fare that provides miles. If you want an upgradeable fare with SQ it is even more.

This inflated price eats up any benefit that either program may give. If the company is paying the airfares it is all well and good. If you are paying out of your own pocket there is much better value elsewhere.

If you are going to fly with SQ or TG forget the points and buy the lower fares, they are really quite good, mind you the SQ lowest fare has absolutely no flexibility whatsoever. The savings made will more than compensate for the lack of points.

 

[burmans]

Back to dajops point it depends how you get your miles. Virtually none of my miles are from flying, UA sounds great for burn but just not an option for me to direct my miles to as most of my points come from credit cards (signup deals, bonus partners and paying tax is where I get the big points from). With the cards I have (Westpac Krysflyer Amex, Amex Edge, Citibusiness Gold) Krysflyer is a very good option.

 

[Robert Qld]

Well guys, y'all helped me a little bit with this thread after reading it.

I have one little pathetic *A flight happening for this upcoming Euro trip (LH BER-HEL) mainly because AB doesn't fly early enough for me to suit my needs that particular day and I refuse to play AY's extortion game of purchasing a return ticket or pay double for a one way!

Anyway, I had just defaulted with LH M&M program but now I've signed up and swapped it to A3.

At least I now got another option for Alliance stuff for future European travel.

 

[boylero]

so travelling bris-bangkok-istanbul-telaviv return business class, first time on star alliance is agean still the best one to enroll in?

 

[gaz0303]

Hijacking thread as very similar request.

My oldies are travelling from BNE to LHR return with SQ. Rushed in and joined them up before I discovered this site. They are getting 100% miles but will get less the 25000 points each which is minimum SYD-NZ trip. Any chance of getting any flights with this amount? Yet to claim points from return leg.

For all, travel is seldom but hoping to maximise points by at least getting a flight to NZ which will be the next desintation for all or a domestic flight.

So what program to join them up too to get some value or least be abe to transfer points into my name?

So far I gather:
Best to stick with Krisflyer for my parents, see if they return to UK in next three years or hope that the reported good customer service allows something with accumulated points.

Reporting back on my experience with the oldies. Redeemed Krisflyer points from BNE-LHR-BNE trip for BNE-MEL-BNE on Virgin. Got desired flight times 2 months out, all handled with 1 phone call by me on their behalf. Desired outcome achieved.

 

[Edward@MEL]

BMI is the best, but it will gone soon~~Miss it, 490 AUD~PVG-AKL-MEL Incl Tax