Choosing a Skyteam program to join

[jpp42]

Hello all,

I have started a new job and will be travelling more frequently - mostly SYD based to Asia and India. I usually have personal travel to the US about once a year and mostly have been flying Delta or United for fare reasons, and usually VA for the occasional domestic travel. I "nearly" have Silver on Velocity (just need two more segments) but I know that's not much to speak of--however it's better than zero. Unfortunately for my Velocity account, my first work trip ended up being booked through Korean Air (SYD-ICN-NRT then ICN-SYD, open jaw) instead of Singapore Airlines which was my original intent, but there was no availability to NRT on the dates we needed.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to which Skyteam carrier I should sign up with? Would it still be a good idea to use SkyMiles for my KAL flights, and then possibly on future Delta flights? I may have other Asia travel but not sure if I will use KAL regularly or not.

My trip also involves segments of NRT-MNL and MNL-ICN, booked separately on Philippine Airlines, but they don't seem to be in any alliance? Is there any way to get those miles anywhere? I also have a United account for StarAlliance and Qantas for OneWorld, but neither with any significant points.

Thanks for any advice!

Edit: I should also note that I currently have ANZ Rewards cards (Amex and Visa) and have been occasionally transferring points over to Velocity through this. With my new job I will be booking accommodation (not flights) on this card so will have some increased earning here. This probably doesn't affect what I should do with the Skyteam flights though.

 

[dajop]

If more focussing on point rather than status, Skyteam may not necessarily be the answer a couple of interesting options to look at might be:

1) Alaska Air which has partnership with Delta & Korean (and also Qantas & Emirates)
2) Etihad, which has partnerships with Korean and Philippine Airlines (plus Virgin Australia a range of other carriers)

Not sure about earn/burn rates

 

[juddles]

I was going to crack a feeble joke about Skyteam, but dajop actually came up with a constructive idea - go Alaska!!

 

[jpp42]

Thanks for the suggestions - both look like good options.

 

[yohy?!]

if status is a concern then probably worth looking at delta to credit KE and VA flights to (and where possible book flights on SQ through the VA codeshares)

 

[dajop]

if status is a concern then probably worth looking at delta to credit KE and VA flights to (and where possible book flights on SQ through the VA codeshares)

Bad advice. KE and DL had a spat and KE flights do not contribute to status earn in DL's program.