China Airlines - Sky Team - Which FF program to join

[NinnyPoo]

I am about to purchase China Airlines (CI) business return flights to Europe.

My question is "Which frequent flyer program to join, given I am based in Sydney".

I can see use for Delta Miles, as travel to the US, but is there a local credit card that allows you to transfer miles to Delta Airlines? Or is there another Australian card allowing transfer to a different Skyteam member.

I still maintain a HK Credit card that allows transfers to Garuda and AirFrance/KLM, but this card wont be used that much, as only used for any non AUD expenses I have.

Many thanks to any Sky Team enthusiasts out there.

 

[moffat39]

Went to the Flight Centre Travel Expo in Brisbane on the weekend. China Airlines had a stand and I asked if they provide hotel rooms if you have an 18 hour stopover.

The response was they used to but no longer do. Will still phone China Airlines as the person on the stand did not appear all that knowledgable.

I have booked a room at the Novotel for $148 for one night. Hoping that my Platinum Status will allow an early check in that is in addition to executive lounge access.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Went to the Flight Centre Travel Expo in Brisbane on the weekend. China Airlines had a stand and I asked if they provide hotel rooms if you have an 18 hour stopover.

The response was they used to but no longer do. Will still phone China Airlines as the person on the stand did not appear all that knowledgable.

I have booked a room at the Novotel for $148 for one night. Hoping that my Platinum Status will allow an early check in that is in addition to executive lounge access.

This was the same information I was given at the Melbourne travel expo - that is 'no STPC'.

At the time I originally posted in this thread (end of Jan) they were offering it, and my family member has it confirmed. If it has been withdrawn it was possibly on 1 Feb.

 

[MH_fan]

I will give CI a call as well to see if they still offer the STPC. I'm flying with them in late May to YVR and have that 18 hour stopover both ways. 6 hours at the Novotel may not be much but it's better than nothing especially when you want to freshen up and rest either after or before your flight.
As for FF programmes, I'm crediting my flights to AF (after considering DL but redeeming with them is terrible from what I've read, given there is no fixed pricing and you can't even find out how much a redemption costs until you try to redeem a ticket!). Earning status seems reasonably easy with them.

 

[NinnyPoo]

Travelled CI from SYD-TPE-LGW and return AMS-TPE-SYD in J.
The flights were excellent. Managed to have 3 hours in TPE transit on way over and 1:40 which reduced to around 55 minutes with late arrival on way back.

Given price was around $4600 this was excellent.
The A350 was used on 3 of the 4 flights. The 777 is roomier, but also has greater noise. The passengers seemed a mix of Taiwanese, Australian and Europeans. More on the leisure side than business.

Food was actually better than Cathay, but not as good as Singapore. The service level was high, but I would put below Singapore.

Great experience and would do again. PE might have to be the class next trip though. You may need to work on dates to avoid a lengthy stay in Taipei (though Taipei is an interesting place to transit in). Also the outbound and inbound were the overnight and day flights to and from Taipei. I think these are seasonal as they weren't offered in February.

An overnight initially and then day flight to Europe is a good way to arrive, as you have dinner and I slept well in London.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

For the long stopovers apparently there is now a choice of two STPC packages... the Novotel for 6 hours, with additional hours at about AUD15 per hour, or another hotel farther away for the full duration of your stopover (until 8pm), with hotel shuttle to get you to the airport and back.