new with lots of questions...

[risin]

Hi there, I just found this site after ages trying to find clear and simple information on frequent flyer memberships.

I have KrisFlyer and Quantas memberships but I find the Krisflyer system very confusing when it involves partner airlines.

I will be flying on thai airways (long haul) and air new zealand (domestic) in december. I understand these airlines are part of Star Alliance and my questions are:

When you are a Krisflyer member are you automatically a member of star alliance or do you have to join it to put the points of partner airlines together?

When I want to use my airmiles to book a partner airline flight, do I contact the partner airline or the Star Alliance? eg. To book an air new zealand short flight, do I contact them about using my airmiles or book the flight through Star Alliance.

Is there a chart somewhere online that tells you how many airmiles you get for your flights. I have come across bits and pieces about points and gold/silver levels etc. but cannot understand it all.

How soon after you build up airmiles can you redeem them?

.....sorry I have so many questions but the websites just dont make it clear enough for novices..

Any help is appreciated.

Risin

 

[Mwenenzi]

Star alliance is just that: an alliance of airlines who work together. No such thing as a member of "Star Alliance". You are a Krisfllyer member. The Singapore (Krisflyer) website will have all the information about earning miles and getting rewards flights and who to contact. The other airlines in the alliance you fly with allow you to enter your Krisflyer number in the reservation. With most freq flyer program you contact your freq flyer program or do it on line. You do not contact Star Alliance or the partner airline.

 

[risin]

Thanks for that.
Do you think I should join Thai Air frequent flyer programme as my long haul flights are with them?
risin

 

[sr81]

Depends on a few things.

Just remember that you can't combine points from different carriers. Most people chose one member in an alliance and put all miles from the various carriers in that alliance into the one account. The important thing to note is that some fare classes (usually the really cheap ones) may not earn full points with your carrier if flying another member airline of that alliance.

Look up your booking and find the fare class (A or C or Y etc...) then look up your Krisflyer earning table for Thai. That will give you the earn rate for that fare class. http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/docs/krisflyer/Earn_Miles/KFOALLevels_Jul08.pdf?

If you don't do much flying then simply pump all your miles into the Krisflyer account as status will never really matter. Just accrue points and use when you reach your required number for a redemption.

As with all things you need to understand your options before you make a choice. I am only making assumptions on your position and I am just some random in the internet.

 

[risin]

thanks sr81,

I only fly long haul every two years and low fair airline short hauls in between so I will take your advice and stick with my singapore airlines membership.
thanks

 

[Keith009]

Based on your flying patterns, if you've already built up some miles in Krisflyer then I'd say stick with that program. But do note that Krisflyer miles expire after 3 years, and unlike other programs there's nothing you can do to prolong the validity of the expiring miles apart from a one off 6 month extension.