Which SkyTeam Program?

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  • Marc_ACB
    Participant

    Hi,

    I’m looking for some advice on which FF program in the Skyteam alliance I should join.
    I am a usual Oneworld flier (BAEC Gold) but in the next few months will be making several trips from the UK to Italy (and some within Italy). My client’s policy is to book with Alitalia where ever possible (they will be doing the booking). The flights will all be in business class (so some silver lining), but I was wondering which is the better program?

    I may have some flights in US in later part of the year where a Delta hub may be closer than an AA hub.

    Off the cuff I am considering Delta or KLM. Should I be considering Alitalia’s own? Or any other airlines FF?


    canucklad
    Participant

    Morning Marc
    Before you join any club, I’d be considering the following……

    How do you want to spend /redeem the points gained?
    If lounge access is important, how quickly can you climb the status ladder?

    And I’m not able to help with this one, but how transferable and more importantly , what exchange rate are you getting if you do move points from one programme to another?

    Generally the rule of thumb is to join the programme that most of your flights will be with, but I’m sure that our Skyteam flyers can give you much better advice.


    christopheL
    Participant

    You should give a try to Alitalia as they are member of both Skyteam and Etihad Airways Partners
    You may even get a status match giving you a skyteam elite + status, if lucky 🙂

    http://statusmatcher.com/report/55566

    The fact that you are going to make a lot of UK/Italy flights in the following months should help you to get status match.

    Good luck !


    TimFitzgeraldTC
    Participant

    If you join Delta you’ll get SkyTeam flights covered and Virgin (if you aren’t already with them). So you’d have redemption possibilities here.


    Marc_ACB
    Participant

    Thanks all.


    @canucklad
    – I’m not 100% sure what I want from the program. Its generally for lounge access, and the odd miles for upgrades. I don’t like the idea of “wasted” miles when I have fly none oneworld airlines.


    @christopheL
    Thanks for that recommendation, I’ll give that a a try and let you know how I get on.


    Coldbat
    Participant

    Skymiles with DL. You will have direct access to not only Virgin, but AF/KLM. As for transferring, how much of a priority will this be for you in the future?


    Cloud-9
    Participant

    DL miles do not expire 🙂


    maxgeorge
    Participant

    I’d avoid Delta. seatguru.com and frequentflyer.com, among others, report increasing restrictions on mileage accrual, and decreasing availability on mileage redemption with them.

    No personal experience – I’m with AK and AA for US carriers – but that’s the buzz.


    NTarrant
    Participant

    It does depend on your circumstances and how quickly you would climb the ladder to Gold or Platinum. I quite like AF/KL and an Gold, but rarely actually fly AF or KL.

    When I came to Saudi three years ago I could not find my AF details so joined Alfursan, but I had to gain points to get to silver as on domestic number of flights do not count. I also found that if I was to use the points for say LHR-AMS the redemption rate was very high in number of points required.

    Lucky I found my AF card and of course every Saudia flight counts towards the next tier. If I find I’m no longer going to be using Saudia and back in the UK I have a better choice of being able to use my points that will go further.


    Coldbat
    Participant

    Is that so maxgeorge?


    LuganoPirate
    Participant

    I’m a member (Gold) with Alitalia – Freccia Alata, and they do have quite a few benefits including free upgrades for you or family members, extra baggage allowances, lounge access, priority lane etc. So for that reason I’d go with Alitalia, especially as they will be the airline you’ll most be using. The benefits also apply when you fly AF/KLM, Etihad and others.


    LuganoPirate
    Participant

    Sorry, I pressed submit too quickly and you can’t edit anymore!

    I’d also add that Alitalia are actually very nice to fly with, and they have a good business class long haul. I find the crew always very friendly and helpful and wish I could fly them more.

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