Philippine Airlines - where to credit?

[Bellouco]

Hello -

I am now needing to stop over in the Philippines more and more especially en route to China or USA. I have never contemplated PR as I have VA/QF status. PR flights are cheap, go exactly where i need them to go and as far as I can tell the business class product is pretty good value.

I don't have a star alliance account, and according to wheretocredit, PR flights can be credited to ANA only.
Should I do the following (?):
Credit to PR's FF program (seems a bit dodgy)
Credit to ANA and use that as my Star Alliance - especially as Virgin and ANA might get into bed together in the near future and I hold Platinum status.

Bottom line, how useful/good is the ANA program - I don't seem to see much written about it?

One more - can't see this on status match, but do you think ANA will status match to Virgin??

What do the other Philippine Airlines flyers do?

Regards
Belinda

 

[jase05]

In the past I credited my flights to Etihad but that partnership ended earlier this year so I too would like to know the answer to this. I have done a bit of research on the ANA program and I think it may be the way to go especially with the future VA partnership. From everything I’ve heard about the Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles program I’ve always steered clear of them

 

[Bellouco]

In the past I credited my flights to Etihad but that partnership ended earlier this year so I too would like to know the answer to this. I have done a bit of research on the ANA program and I think it may be the way to go especially with the future VA partnership. From everything I’ve heard about the Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles program I’ve always steered clear of them

Yes I think this is our only option - would be real nice if VA got a similar points swapping deal with ANA going that they have with Kris

 

[luxury-lizard]

I don't know much about the ANA program but I do know that they release more award seats to their own members than other *A airlines - e.g. using LM or UA you only ever see 1 J seat SYD<->HND but on ANA there are 2 seats on that date/route. Also ANA release additional award seats close in (to *A as well - sometimes up to 4).

 

[Bellouco]

I don't know much about the ANA program but I do know that they release more award seats to their own members than other *A airlines - e.g. using LM or UA you only ever see 1 J seat SYD<->HND but on ANA there are 2 seats on that date/route. Also ANA release additional award seats close in (to *A as well - sometimes up to 4).

Thanks - thats good to know.

 

[Mattg]

Given the limited options, I would credit to ANA. It's a relatively good Star Alliance airline and, as has been said, ANA will soon partner with Virgin Australia.

 

[Melburnian1]

I use Mabuhay Miles and have never had a problem redeeming.

Once or twice a year - IIRC October appears to be a favoured time - this airline gives '50 per cent off' points deals.

PR's J ex Oz had those Thompson Vantage XL lie flat beds on the flights to/from SYD and MEL. I find these good, although am rarely a great sleeper on planes.

However, ANA may be the more sensible option.

Like some other airlines, PR has suspended flights to mainland China. It also did this to Taiwan but has just or is about to resume to that nation as Philippines' travel ban to Taiwan was lifted in the last day or so.