Malaysia Airlines to join Oneworld alliance

[delfredo]

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.

Isn't it cheaper to redeem on SQ? Amex allows transfer of points to KF at rate of 1:1 whereas for Enrich it is 2 miles to 3 MR points. So on rough calculation, 19500 miles on Y equates to 29250 MR points.

 

[oz_mark]

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

From the QF side, SC calculations are pretty much the same for all oneWorld partners, so I would be surprised if it differs.

From the MH side, well, they use sector counts as one way, but at the moment, you don't get any status boosts from flying anyone but MH. So it will be interesting how they deal with it on their side.

 

[shambles]

Re: Malaysian Airlines to join OneWorld

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 in the last 30 years AFAIK, QF have not mistaken Anzac Hwy in Adelaide for the main runway at West Beach nor have they been on short final at Essendon when in fact cleared to land at Tulla. I'll take less food and no telly over incompetence any day of the week.

(apologies for the slight off-topic)

 

[drron]

Any addition to OW is good news.
What I like is that I believe MH has a twice weekly CPT-EZE flight.Makes a southern hemisphere DONE3 feasible.

 

[kpc]

Any addition to OW is good news.
What I like is that I believe MH has a twice weekly CPT-EZE flight.Makes a southern hemisphere DONE3 feasible.

Sounds good.

I wonder whether a QF plat (not travelling in F) can use the wonderful MH F lounge at KUL? (brought to my attention by oz_mark)

 

[Keith009]

I'm getting more and more excited about MH joining OW. Especially as it's so unexpected given it was more or less taken for granted that MH would end up in ScaryTeam at some stage. I've always hoped that they'd join OW, even if it looked highly unlikely at any given point in time till now. I've always loved flying with MH, only hiccups being their lack of alliance membership and shoddy FFP which have now largely been rectified.

In saying that I think my decision to move my travels over to VAust has been shot to pieces especially as it's highly likely that the MH/DJ relationship might soon come to an end (would be pretty odd if it didn't)... QFF now looking like the path of least resistance. :-|

Here's hoping OW Emeralds can use the very nice sounding "Platinum Suite" at KLIA.

 

[connieguy]

Seems MH is also "Enhancing" its services:



Got that when trying out the Mileage Calculator. Lets hope "Enhancement" is not airline industry wide talk for reducing their FF offerings. :evil:

 

[oz_mark]

The mielage calculator has been like that for months.

 

[Vinny]

I have to say this is the best news I've had all day, excluding my picking up my new iMac also today.

I have been weaning myself off QF over the last year due to issues with disappointing service problems I've experienced and price. To be honest I don't really miss QF much at all. I'll still call Australia home without being price gouged and having to listen to nauseating music.

I have used MH quite a few times to travel within Asia and to Europe over the last year. J class is excellent value compared with QF and like many other posters I do hope MH continue their current pricing policy without influence or interference from QF or OW. Even their Y class is more than acceptable on domestic and international flights. KUL is a very pleasant stop over point as well.

Hopefully MH will be willing and able to revamp and tweak their Enrich program to look after those who fly often with them. If they do, they certainly will have a willing market, myself included.

Bring it on!

 

[delfredo]

Over the years I've been accumulating VR points, mainly through transfer from Amex MR points. I regularly fly MAS and currently have sufficient VR points for another 5 return flights. While this is exciting news for MAS and alike, I now regret locking in my points with VR as MAS will very likely leave the Virgin partnership soon. I should have left it with Amex, at least I'll have the opportunity to transfer to KF and still fly to Asia.

 

[kamchatsky]

I always thought MH is a good fit for OW. I am very surprised that AF resisted MH joining ST for so long at the first place.

What it could mean though is that VA could partner SQ as their SE Asia partner. I wonder whether that is the reason MH joining OW. Afterall, QF/OW could have invited MH for a long time.

 

[elbarto]

I'm wondering how long before it comes out that QF has taken an equity stake in MH or the other way around. I know they flirted with the idea of getting into bed a few years back but the Malaysians wanted more for less and QF weren't willing to play.

This also asks questions of where QF are going to place their asian airline? will KUL be the likely option with MH playing a role in it.

 

[coyote25]

MH joining OWE is great. More options for RTW and travel into Europe.

Hopefully QF can partner earlier than the official OWE membership as a partner.

 

[pauly7]

...which begs the question of just who is DJ talking to regarding an Asian partner......

Garuda Indonesia

 

[coyote25]

Garuda Indonesia

Lol.

Aren't they still on some countries banned list?

 

[anat0l]

Lol.

Aren't they still on some countries banned list?

Well, they did manage to get off the EU list some time ago. They are certainly putting out the image (successfully) that they are no longer an unsafe airline.

 

[pauly7]

Well, they did manage to get off the EU list some time ago. They are certainly putting out the image (successfully) that they are no longer an unsafe airline.

Not successfully enough for most corporate insurance brokers.

Potentially enough for the general public to have a punt....

 

[NM]

I wonder whether a QF plat (not travelling in F) can use the wonderful MH F lounge at KUL? (brought to my attention by oz_mark)

Why would they not be able to do so - after MH has actually joined OneWorld of course. You used to able to use that lounge on a very low-priced "F" ticket with MY flying KUL-SIN. Now they sell the "premium" cabin as J on that route, so no more FLounging before a 35 min flight.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

I am hoping someone can help, I have booked 2 J class tickets to LHR next Feb return and have used my Velocity Numers on the booking for points, if MA does join One World am I able to then scrap the V numbers and use my QFF number instead? I also hold MA membership and not sure of the best way to go with this. Is it just a case of ringing Malaysian Airlines and changing the numbers. Any help appreciated

 

[oz_mark]

I am hoping someone can help, I have booked 2 J class tickets to LHR next Feb return and have used my Velocity Numers on the booking for points, if MA does join One World am I able to then scrap the V numbers and use my QFF number instead? I also hold MA membership and not sure of the best way to go with this. Is it just a case of ringing Malaysian Airlines and changing the numbers. Any help appreciated

At this point in time, there is not an announced date for when you would be able to use a QFF number on a Malaysia booking and it would not be likely to be until late next year. So, there would be no point, at the moment, of getting your QFF number there (even if they could add it).

Also, at this point, there is nothing announced on Velocity not contiuing with MH, so I would guess it will run till the end of its current commercial agreement (whenever that is). It may finish before Feb, in which case, your best bet would be to put the Malaysia number there.

This far out from Feb, and based on what has so far been announced, I would not be changing, but keep an eye on any anouncements that come up.