Malaysia Airlines to join Oneworld alliance

[Keith009]

Re: Malaysian Airlines to join OneWorld

Here are their FF elite tier benefits and qualification requirements:
http://mas.com.my/content/dam/mas/master/en/pdf/enrich/guidebook.pdf

They operate on calendar years rather than membership anniversaries.

Enrich Platinum (which looks set to be their Emerald tier) requires 100 000 Elite Miles to qualify and 80 000 to requalify (ignore the guidebook on this, things have recently changed). The benefits far outweigh QF WP, and their Platinum status is more like a Platinum1 or Gold Guest List type status. Has things like free Spouse Platinum membership, porter services, Meet&Greet, Global Emergency Assistance, concierge services, and AMEX Platinum-like benefits like Home Assistance, Roadside Assistance, Hertz #1 Gold, and a variety of hotel benefits.

Enrich Gold (probably their Sapphire tier) doesn't look too bad either. Other than the usual priorities, free excess baggage and lounge access at the Sapphire tier, you also get Global Emergency Assistance and concierge service, access to a special check in suite and porter service at KLIA. Only 50 000 Elite Miles to qualify and the same to requalify.

Elite Miles can be earned on any COS.

I am trying to find an updated redemption table. They've recently changed their redemption levels but from what I recall they're still more generous than QFF (not hard). Their website isn't very good and I can't seem to find redemption data unless I log in with my membership number (of which i can't remember).

I'm currently trying to see if Enrich Gold in place of QFF Gold will work out. Mileage based status requirements is almost always harder than SCs.

 

[connieguy]

Re: Malaysian Airlines to join OneWorld

Enrich Platinum (which looks set to be their Emerald tier) requires 100 000 Elite Miles to qualify and 80 000 to requalify (ignore the guidebook on this, things have recently changed).

So the 450,000 Elite miles over 3 years requirement is gone? :shock: You sure?

I really like their Reserve system. Was not nice to lose 3,250 QF SC this year. Would have been nice to roll anything over the 2,100 I needed for PG into a SC reserve fund that I could draw down against for any future lean years.

 

[Keith009]

Re: Malaysian Airlines to join OneWorld

So the 450,000 Elite miles over 3 years requirement is gone? :shock: You sure?

Yes I got an email on May 19 which announced the changes to their re/qualification requirement. Also unless there's a typo in the email it's now Elite Miles, which can be earned in all COS, rather than Platinum Miles, which can only be earned in J or F.

Sadly I think it is still easier to earn QFF status than Enrich.

Doing MEL-KUL-LHR return in J would only net me 26k Elite Miles with Enrich, whereas the same with QFF earns 540 SCs which is instant QFF Gold requalification after throwing in the mandatory ~s. QFF Gold + Velocity Gold seems most cost and time effective to maintain if I want to have a foot in each camp.

Hopefully the cheap J fares don't disappear with OW membership, they'll make for some good value SCs!

 

[ric_melb]

I think sponsorship by Qantas is more of a technical term equivalent to nomination.
No doubt Qantas will help MAS with the process, but I don't see Qantas paying the fees for MAS.

 

[connieguy]

Re: Malaysian Airlines to join OneWorld

Doing MEL-KUL-LHR return in J would only net me 26k Elite Miles with Enrich, whereas the same with QFF earns 540 SCs which is instant QFF Gold requalification after throwing in the mandatory ~s. QFF Gold + Velocity Gold seems most cost and time effective to maintain if I want to have a foot in each camp.

MileCalc says it is 21,022 miles return:
MileCalc :: The Ultimate Mileage Calculator for Frequent Flyers

With a J cabin bonus of 50% and another 35% Elite status bonus that should give you 38,891 Elite miles or ~39% the way to MH Platinum at 100,000 Elite miles or ~80% of the way to MH Gold at 50,000 Elite miles.

BTW I get 480 SCs from the QF points calculator for Mel/Lhr/Mel which is also 40% of the way to QF Platinum. I bet the MH J fare is a lot lower cost than the QF J fare. So MH wins with a lower $/SC earn cost.

 

[Keith009]

Re: Malaysian Airlines to join OneWorld

MileCalc says it is 21,022 miles return:
MileCalc :: The Ultimate Mileage Calculator for Frequent Flyers

With a J cabin bonus of 50% and another 35% Elite status bonus that should give you 38,891 Elite miles or ~39% the way to MH Platinum at 100,000 Elite miles or ~80% of the way to MH Gold at 50,000 Elite miles.

For some reason I had it in my head that the J cabin bonus is 25%.

I'm not sure if the Elite status bonus counts towards Elite Miles?

edit: No they don't. Only COS bonus will count as Elite Miles.

Do tier bonus miles count towards Elite status?
No, tier bonus miles do not count towards earning or retaining Elite status.

So MEL-KUL-LHR-KUL-LHR in J will net 31 533 Elite Miles with Enrich.

BTW I get 480 SCs from the QF points calculator for Mel/Lhr/Mel.

I was doing MEL-KUL-LHR-KUL-MEL. MH J fare. So assuming QFF SCs are unchanged by the time MH formally joins OW, 120 + 160 + 120 + 160.

 

[anat0l]

Re: Malaysian Airlines to join OneWorld

Here are their FF elite tier benefits and qualification requirements:
http://mas.com.my/content/dam/mas/master/en/pdf/enrich/guidebook.pdf

They operate on calendar years rather than membership anniversaries.

Enrich Platinum (which looks set to be their Emerald tier) requires 100 000 Elite Miles to qualify and 80 000 to requalify (ignore the guidebook on this, things have recently changed).

Certainly 100k elite miles is easier than the previous qualification criteria. It should be interesting to see this in a oneworld context, esp. it looks the same in qualification as AA EXP, except different bonuses and what not.

The benefits far outweigh QF WP, and their Platinum status is more like a Platinum1 or Gold Guest List type status.

It's not hard to outweigh QF WP in benefits, but it is difficult to beat QF's qualification requirements for the equivalent oneworld tier. Of course, this fact in itself (the qualification requirements) isn't a big deal breaker for the typical flyer.

Has things like free Spouse Platinum membership, porter services, Meet&Greet, Global Emergency Assistance, concierge services, and AMEX Platinum-like benefits like Home Assistance, Roadside Assistance, Hertz #1 Gold, and a variety of hotel benefits.

Most of the hotel benefits are confined to Asia-centric hotels IIRC.

You forgot *choke* "anytime access", i.e. access to Golden Lounge even if you travel on other airlines (no guests, though. 2 guests if you fly MH.) Not sure if this is confined to the KL Golden Lounge or any Golden Lounge in the world.

Enrich Gold (probably their Sapphire tier) doesn't look too bad either. Other than the usual priorities, free excess baggage and lounge access at the Sapphire tier, you also get Global Emergency Assistance and concierge service, access to a special check in suite and porter service at KLIA. Only 50 000 Elite Miles to qualify and the same to requalify.

Having walked around the check-in area of KLIA (KUL), unless I've missed something the "check in suite" doesn't look like much except a special section / row with a few plants and seats, not dissimilar to the poor excuse of a premium setting by QF at SYD T1 (including their rather underwhelming QF F check-in section). Meet & Greet for MH Platinums will help butter up an otherwise underwhelming check-in experience.

MH Platinums also get priority immigration at KLIA, and until the work on the KLIA aerotrain is complete, luxury car transfer between Main Contact and Satellite Terminals. (The aerotrain is likely to have finished maintenance well before MH joins oneworld, however.)

Another thing that hopefully has cleared up with the Enrich revamp is that the Elite Tier Bonus (equiv. QF Status Bonus) is applicable on any COS (the previous system says that you can only earn an Elite Tier Bonus when you fly MH J or F)

I am trying to find an updated redemption table. They've recently changed their redemption levels but from what I recall they're still more generous than QFF (not hard). Their website isn't very good and I can't seem to find redemption data unless I log in with my membership number (of which i can't remember).

I don't think they have a redemption table. I broke open my head the last time I tried to look for one (was thinking of burning an award with MH). The only way I could fish for prices is to use their redemption calculator (and yes you must be logged in as an Enrich member to access this). This is a tedious process and I've not the time to investigate if there are patterns (e.g. a zone-based or mileage-class-based system, etc.)

I'm not sure if the Elite status bonus counts towards Elite Miles?

I suspect not. Although the FAQs need updating, under the old system this was a definite no.

 

[oz_mark]

Re: Malaysian Airlines to join OneWorld

I am trying to find an updated redemption table. They've recently changed their redemption levels but from what I recall they're still more generous than QFF (not hard). Their website isn't very good and I can't seem to find redemption data unless I log in with my membership number (of which i can't remember).

The problem is that redemptions levels aren't all that straightforward, as you can redeem into Basic/Low etc. Maybe they gave up on trying to get it into a concise, understandable table.

 

[Keith009]

Found this post on SQTalk from August last year but I understand that things have recently changed (the friend I talked to seemed happy so I'd assume these were positive enhancements):
SQTalk - View Single Post - Where to find MH Enrich award chart?

Apparently the redemption figures only exist in a physical, hard copy format, or you'll have to sign up for Enrich membership and use the online calculator when logged in. Certain aspects of the airline sound very archaic. :shock:

 

[connieguy]

Re: Malaysian Airlines to join OneWorld

I was doing MEL-KUL-LHR-KUL-MEL. MH J fare. So assuming QFF SCs are unchanged by the time MH formally joins OW, 120 + 160 + 120 + 160.

With MH routing you will get 540 DJ/MH SCs and with QF routing you will get 480 SCs. I suggest the QF cost for the 480 SCs will be quite a bit higher than the MH cost for 540 SCs.

 

[kpc]

Having not read all the specifics yet, this is great news for me as it gives me a One World airline into Kul where I visit at least once a year....unfortunately, it seems MH will only be a part of OW late NEXT year

 

[dajop]

On redemptions using MH, recent changes have been very positive. To me they seemed to be made to make the program more competitive with SQ including a 15% discount for booking online.

I just used some MH Enrich miles (that I transferred from Westpac Altitude 2 yrs ago when I closed my card). SIN-KUL-MEL in J was 34,000 miles one way, service was excellent although the angled flat seats in 2-3-2 on a 777 felt narrow and somewhat uncomfortable.

For comparison same sector is Y was 19,500 miles.

Oh, for those getting to Platinum, MH has anytime access to their MH lounges, regardless of carrier flown.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Re: Malaysian Airlines to join OneWorld

SQ often costs thousands more, not dissimilar to QF pricing. Then again there are enough people who think SQ walks on water...

Thinking SQ walks on water is as irrational as thinking SkyTeam airlines are scary.

 

[Keith009]

Re: Malaysian Airlines to join OneWorld

Thinking SQ walks on water is as irrational as thinking SkyTeam airlines are scary.

Well, I honestly can't think of a single ST airline that isn't scary or undesirable in some ways... :mrgreen: Delta is ok, comparable to other US carriers which isn't saying much, but their European and Asian members have got to be some of the worst of the big names. Air Chance, Tarom, China Airlines or Garuda anyone??

In saying that there are plenty of blah airlines in *A and OW to a lesser extent but these are balanced up by the good uns.

 

[ozmille]

This is an interesting development adding a good alternative for my travel to Europe. Now only have to wait up to 18 months for it actually to happen and then to see what the miles and SC earning wil look like

 

[notzac]

Re: Malaysian Airlines to join OneWorld

Well, I honestly can't think of a single ST airline that isn't scary or undesirable in some ways... :mrgreen: Delta is ok, comparable to other US carriers which isn't saying much, but their European and Asian members have got to be some of the worst of the big names. Air Chance, Tarom, China Airlines or Garuda anyone??

Oh come now, Alitalia is a fabulous airline with wonderful service and brilliant on-time performance..

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Re: Malaysian Airlines to join OneWorld

Well, I honestly can't think of a single ST airline that isn't scary or undesirable in some ways... :mrgreen: Delta is ok, comparable to other US carriers which isn't saying much, but their European and Asian members have got to be some of the worst of the big names. Air Chance, Tarom, China Airlines or Garuda anyone??

In saying that there are plenty of blah airlines in *A and OW to a lesser extent but these are balanced up by the good uns.

Based on my own experiences in the last 18 months, all in economy:

- DL > AA
- Alitalia intra-Europe > BA intra-Europe (and it was BA who was delayed and lost my bag)
- Korean Air >>> JAL
- Aeromexico > Mexicana
- Air France are phasing out 747s, but the economy section upstairs I'd highly recommend
- Garuda took me from CGK to SIN and to PDG with a full meal and seat-back entertainment, which is more than most QF Cityflyer services

But yes, some people will always think SQ walks on water.

Its good to see MH joining OW but it will be interesting to see what it incrementally brings to the alliance as a business. Malaysia's domestic market is comparatively small.

 

[Timba-Jet]

This is an unexpected surprise.

As others have mentioned, hope the bargain base MH sale fares continue well into the alliance. You would think there would still be standalone pricing unlike the BA/QF JVA.

MH gives SYD/MEL more choices on flight times.

With Kingfisher entry date still a big fat ? Who knows MH might beat them to it.

 

[ozmille]

Re: Malaysian Airlines to join OneWorld

Oh come now, Alitalia is a fabulous airline with wonderful service and brilliant on-time performance..

oo scary times on an old MD80 a couple of years back... I shiver when I think about it and want to curl up in a corner and sob

 

[gumpy]

I'll be rediculously happy about this if MH keep their J fares at their current level... Really hope it says at the same level otherwise we all lose...

Great move by QF to kick DJ in the balls... DJ could pull trumps here... if they some how become part of *A then it's going to be on like donkey kong... Possibly ending with QF crying in the corner...

I'll join the group with the buttered popcorn... hope they shoot it in 3D and DTS sound =)