Best Star Alliance program for QFF member?

[TimB]

Hi,

I'm a QFF member, and plan to continue taking OneWorld flights when possible in future. However, I'm heading to NZ over summer, and will be taking some AirNZ flights, so I'd like to credit them to a Star Alliance frequent flyer program of some sort. AirNZ Airpoints is the obvious choice, and I've also had a bit of a look at United Mileage Plus, but are there others I should consider instead?

I don't plan on doing a lot of flying on Star Alliance, so perhaps it really won't matter one way or another. However, there's always the chance that I'll pick up a few more flights (most likely US domestic, but possibly even a trans-pacific).

Some other considerations are whether miles expire after a few years, how often activity is required to keep miles from expiring, cost of joining, and just what benefits (if any!) I could expect to get with fairly minimal flying.

Any tips appreciated -- thanks.

Tim.

 

[MelUser]

united - they seem to be the easiest to redeem on in australia - via a 13 number and a call centre in the philipines

 

[straitman]

united - they seem to be the easiest to redeem on in australia - via a 13 number and a call centre in the philipines

IF United is still going to be operating.

There is some fairly heavy discussion about United's ability to continue flying much longer.

 

[samh004]

I'm not sure about the exact earning potentials, but a few members here use and like BMI.

 

[trooper]

Don't get me wrong.. the NZ Airpoints program CAN be made to work well... (it does for me)..

BUT....some things to consider:

1. The cheapest fares on NZ will ONLY credit to Airpoints. Not to any other program. Some fares will only earn "Status credits" even then.... (think EQM but no RDM...) In addition NZ credits much higher rates for Biz travel on their own metal than on *A partners... that can be a bit of a trap... and some Z type fares on partners only credit at Y rates.. although that is reportedly all the operating carrier will "pay" for... not an NZ issue...

2. It is REALLY hard to get any meaningful status without flying in Premium cabins.. earning rates for Y are low!!!!

3. Redeeming flights is IMO way too "expensive" relative to earning rates... and upgrading (which is my use of the Airpoint $ I earn) while available from ANY fare on a standby basis is a real cough shoot without pretty high status... even as a Gold they often only clear apparently hours out.... as a newly minted Gold Elite I have in fact just NOW had an upgrade clear a day or so out for the first time to my knowledge...


Like you say.. perhaps it won't matter one way or the other!

 

[futaris]

I'd recommend BMI or Asiana, depending on what you're after.

If you're going to credit miles from a credit card, then Krisflyer is ok.

Of course, if you're just flying a few times on Air NZ (on cheap fares) then probably not worth crediting to any program at all..

 

[StevePER]

I'm not sure about the exact earning potentials, but a few members here use and like BMI.

The main advantage of BMI is Cash+Miles redemptions, so if your earning capacity is limited it might be a good choice. The main disadvantage is having to deal with their call centre to make award bookings (they are a lot worse than United to deal with). Krisflyer might also be a good choice due to the ability to transfer from an Australian credit card.

 

[david870mdg]

Well I am going to toot the trumpet for SQ's Kris Flyer program
Free to join, can earn miles from CC.
Miles expire after three years (I found out by accident I still had miles ), and can be extended. Plus if you need more miles you can pay to top up to the required amount when redeeming a booking.
Also, you can nominate ANYONE to use your miles.
Downside is no miles transfer to other programs, no miles transfer to or from other accounts, and no miles transfer from other programs (this may be wrong).

 

[notzac]

There is some fairly heavy discussion about United's ability to continue flying much longer.

Anything of any substance? All I can find are reports of their doing another round of refinancing (which is hardly unique in this industry).

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gx0Y_dIf80rh3HK0R5dQzVP_ZBZwD9B53HV01

 

[Keith009]

BMI is the best option for mileage for sure, and Lufty is still trying every trick in the book to get out of buying them so there's no threat of diamond club being absorbed into M+M anytime soon. OTOH it also means they might face a quick demise without the LH takeover. Otherwise United is also pretty good apart from Starnet filtering.

Krisflyer is obviously great for upgrades on SQ, plus you can top up with local cards like AMEX and Westpac.

If you simply want easy *G, look at Asiana or Air Canada.

 

[dajop]

As per all the responses above, which do vary somewhat there is no simple answer. It really depends on what you want to do with your miles, and how many you are likely to earn, and what credit cards you have.

I think for a committed QFF member, I do know people who earn their QFF miles through flying/hotels/cars/woolworths, yet hedge their bets and have a credit card that offers access to other airlines, so get both QF miles and miles to earn on other programs. If this is the case, I'd recommend joining Krisflyer and using credit cards that link to Krisflyer, however the watchout here is that miles expire after three years.

I did an analysis comparing what is the best for getting awards based on a business class fare between SIN & MEL - comparing the programs of Air NZ, SQ & BMI. There was no clear cut winner. It depended on the destination/route/class of travel and each were best for something and not for others.

The generally accepted rule is that Air NZ program is useless for travel in economy. This is certainly true for medium and long haul. But for someone who travels on lots of flights of <500 miles Air NZ seems to be the best both for accruing status and getting redemptions (ie burning miles) - although I know this isn're the case for trans tasman.

 

[stryker]

IF United is still going to be operating.

There is some fairly heavy discussion about United's ability to continue flying much longer.

Well Bill, put us out of our suspense.

Please tell us what the real issues are.

PS. I for one will keep booking and flying with them....

 

[serfty]

... upgrading (which is my use of the Airpoint $ I earn) while available from ANY fare on a standby basis is a real cough shoot without pretty high status... even as a Gold they often only clear apparently hours out.... as a newly minted Gold Elite I have in fact just NOW had an upgrade clear a day or so out for the first time to my knowledge... ...

FWIW, I snaffled an ex AKL GAS return fare to LAX for NZD930 (~AUD860) back in July.

I sent some Amex MR points across as Airbucks and as a GE my upgrades to PE came through a week later.

This for travel in February.

If you travel a lot on NZ, Airpoints are a reasonable way to earn *G status, especially if you can do a few H/Y/KUPS in the USA - a bit like QFF

 

[dajop]

especially if you can do a few H/Y/KUPS in the USA - a bit like QFF

Likewise for discounted First Class fares in China using Shanghai Airlines and Air China - some good deals that can earn a reasonable amount of NZ Airpoints $.

 

[straitman]

Well Bill, put us out of our suspense.

Please tell us what the real issues are.

PS. I for one will keep booking and flying with them....

Sorry if I sound like a rumour monger. That was not the intent at all.

This is in the news in the USA quite a bit lately though I have to admit I probably have not paid as much attention as I should.

We have been with some FT members who will not go near UA at the moment and others who are not worried at all and have extensive ongoing UA bookings. These are people who fly a lot more than most of us would even contemplate throughout a year.

I will look for any news over the next few days whilst we are still here.