Help needed: Which Airline FF program to join?

[suze2000]

Recently I flew RTW on a mixed PE/J fare (for just over $6K! Couldn't believe my luck). The flights were as follows:

MEL-HKG PE with Cathay
HKG-FRA PE with Lufthansa
FRA-LHR Y with Lufthansa
LHR-ZUR J with Swiss
ZUR-SFO J with Swiss
SFO-SYD J with United
SYD-MEL J with QF *

As I am only a member of VA and QF FF programs, all but the last sector have not yeilded me any points. Which is ridiculous. I want to join up to a program and redeem the points earned - then hopefully transfer then to an Australian program and use them domestically. My next overseas travel will likely not be until 2018.

Anyone have any advice as to which program to join and how best to transfer the points? I don't care whether Velocity or QF FF program. Either way they will get used, as for work hubby is ridiculously loyal to VA and I'm the same with QF, so we fly whatever's most convenient for leisure.

 

[TomVexille]

CX should have credited to QF. If you're dead set on having points in Australia, the *A flights should credit to SQ which then can be transferred to VA at a rate of 1.35 to 1.

The catch is I don't know if SQ will allow you to retro claim flights from before you sign up to Krisflyer.

Edit: SQ will not allow you to claim partner flights already flown if you weren't already a member

Retroactive mileage claims that are made prior to enrolment in KrisFlyer are only valid for Singapore Airlines flights and must have taken place no longer than 6 months prior to enrolment.

 

[suze2000]

Yep, seems like I messed this one up. Just checked all the other airlines and the story is the same. You can't even claim on the airline flown unless you joined before flying. There was so much going on, I did not think about it at all.

ETA: I hope this doesn't mean my AFF membership will be revoked. :shock: :shock: