Malaysia Enrich program -vs- Singapore KrisFlyer program

[Chridet]

New to this forum, I was looking for some experienced opinions from frequent flyers regarding the Enrich & KrisFlyer programs. I have accumulated points via the Westpac Altitude credit card and am looking to join either the Singapore or Malaysia Airlines program.

I have not flown with Singapore Airlines for some years and have most recently flown with Malaysia Airlines (Economy & Business). I have been quite happy with all of my flights with these airlines. I would be looking to use the points to redeem for my wife, myself & 2 young children to fly principally to the UK, Turkey & SE Asia around school holiday periods.

I would be grateful for any views one way or the other regarding either program in order to assist me in making a decision. By the way, 2 Altitude points are required to gain 1 Air Mile in either program.

Many thanks

Chridet

 

[Keith009]

Welcome to AFF, Chridet.

I'd go with Krisflyer for the much greater range of partner airlines (useful in the event that you can't get availability on the 'home' carrier or want a destination that said carrier doesn't serve).

I am not familiar with the Altitude program, but do they have any other Star Alliance partners? Might be worth exploring them too and do a comparison with Krisflyer and get the best value, as you can redeem any *A program's miles on any *A carrier.

 

[Chridet]

QF009

Thank you for your reply. The Westpac Altitude credit card program earns points which can be redeemed with either Qantas, Air New Zealand, Malaysia Airlines and, from late May, now with Singapore Airlines.

I am open to any views on any of these programs but I tend to favour the two Asian airlines as I am keen on travelling in SE Asia and enjoy their usually very friendly service.

Looking forward to hearing from anyone else.

All the very best

Chridet

 

[dajop]

My advice would be to join both programs - it costs nothing - and keep your points in Altitude until you're close to making an actual redemption booking.

Then when you come close to the time when you want to make a booking to use your points, ring both, check availability on/around your preferred dates (and also ask how open the flights are, whether it is 1 or 2 seats or many, given there will be a slight lag in transferring your points). At that point transfer your points and then make the booking.

Worth noting MH Enrich often have some good deals, eg at the moment it is only 31,500 pts for return flights from AUstralia to KL (for comparison you can't even fly from SYD to CNS return on QF for those number of points!)

 

[Chridet]

Dajop

Thank you for your thoughts - not a bad idea actually because, as you pointed out, it does not cost anything these days to join a FF program.

Many thanks

Chridet

 

[oz_mark]

Dajop

Thank you for your thoughts - not a bad idea actually because, as you pointed out, it does not cost anything these days to join a FF program.

Many thanks

Chridet

...and Qantas is a standout exception in this regard

 

[JohnK]

Worth noting MH Enrich often have some good deals, eg at the moment it is only 31,500 pts for return flights from AUstralia to KL (for comparison you can't even fly from SYD to CNS return on QF for those number of points!)

OK now this sounds like something I can use for my trip to SE Asia next month. Can someone provide more details or do I need to do some research on the MH website?

We are truly blessed to have a wonderful resource like AFF at our disposal....

 

[dajop]

OK now this sounds like something I can use for my trip to SE Asia next month. Can someone provide more details or do I need to do some research on the MH website?

Can be found in the latest Enrich Newsletter