Star Alliance program selection help

[vovo]

Hi,

I have just achieved Gold status with SQ, but the 25% bonus miles earned for being Silver were not credited to earning status (I assume they are only redeemable for an upgrade or a purchase)

Mainly flying Y so I am looking for Gold status to get access to the lounges and a chance of an upgrade as a freebie or via points.

However, I feel like SQ doesn't care much about anyone other than premium fare pax which you will notice if you have ever visited the Krisflyer Gold and Silverkris lounges at Changi. I am ok with that, however, I am wondering if there is a better program to be part of.

I have seen Aegean (A3) mentioned as a good option but figured I'd ask here for recommendations.

I am typically flying out of AMS, FRA or IST varying destinations to AUS, US and EU and should be able to achieve approx 50k miles per year

Thanks

 

[Mattg]

SQ is a good program, and if you have status with SQ you also have the benefit of lounge access etc. when flying with VA (which you won't get with most other Star Alliance airlines). KrisFlyer miles are also a valuable currency in terms of flight and upgrade redemptions.

Having said that, if you can take at least 4x A3 flights per year (this requires visiting Greece) then their status earning thresholds are considerably lower. And A3 miles aren't bad value either.

 

[seanpodge]

Asiana Club is also pretty good if you want status. *G requires 40k miles over 24 months and lasts for 24 months+ left over qualification period once attained (eg. if you hit the 40k in 12 months, you effectively have *G for 36 months). No requirement to fly OZ (not that they're a bad airline). They also offer lifetime *G for 500k. Award rates are reasonableish. Can redeem on EY too, which is nice. (Can earn points on EY too, but these don't count towards status. Only OZ and *A flights count for status).

Would need to check carefully which fare buckets will earn points when booking tickets though.

 

[vovo]

Thanks guys, which of the *A programs are the best to redeem points? I have heard anecdotally that SQ is not great but if you can get one, it is better to get a business seat rather than upgrading from Y. I have tried neither so can't confirm.

I have heard that A3 is pretty easy to re-qualify, I could possibly do two A3 flights a year but 4 might be a stretch.

I don't fly much internally in Aus anymore so Virgin Access is not so important but nothing to exclude.

Asiana looks like a decent option, I'll check out the calculator to see what i will earn.

 

[Mattg]

KrisFlyer miles in my opinion are very valuable - I wouldn't be writing them off.

A3 miles are probably not quite as good as KrisFlyer but still decent.

If you're ever in Europe, those four A3 flights per year are not that hard to get. A round-trip IST-ATH-SKG booking, for example, is sufficient.

 

[seanpodge]

OZ isn't too bad, although it depends on your travel plans for how good the value is. Chart is zonal. There are a few oddities in the award chart. for example, the points needed for NE Asia to the Middle East is the same as for NE Asia to Europe.

 

[Ric]

Hi fellow AFFers.

I am looking to join a Star Alliance program. Just about had it with QF and it's lottery points upgrade even with spending more money for a higher fare e.g. B & H class in Y hoping for a point upgrade. With the price of a B/H ticket MNL >SYD return, One can get the same for a PY in SQ!
I remember reading that's there a *Alliance member that you can join without even stepping onto one of their planes and still achieve status. The 3rd post above suggest that Asiana (OZ) could be one. Are there any others?
Many Thanks!!

Ric

 

[Mattg]

Hi fellow AFFers.

I am looking to join a Star Alliance program. Just about had it with QF and it's lottery points upgrade even with spending more money for a higher fare e.g. B & H class in Y hoping for a point upgrade. With the price of a B/H ticket MNL >SYD return, One can get the same for a PY in SQ!
I remember reading that's there a *Alliance member that you can join without even stepping onto one of their planes and still achieve status. The 3rd post above suggest that Asiana (OZ) could be one. Are there any others?
Many Thanks!!

Ric

Asiana would be that one, yes.

Asiana Club is the Most Underrated Star Alliance Program

 

[Ric]

Thank you Mattg!!!

 

[sydunipete]

I'm in a similar position to the OP. I'm currently with TK and since IST is one of your airports they might be a good choice for you too. 37,500 miles per two year period for Gold requalification, some sweet economy to business upgrade miles rewards (on TK metal) BUT their call centre can be atrocious and you must visit a sales office or at least find one that will do business over the phone / email to pay taxes on reward flights. Seat allocation isn't available until 100 days out from your flight.

For these reasons I'm thinking of swapping to OZ. Lower upgrade threshold, much longer points expiry and the potential for lifetime gold.

With TK it's difficult for me to save enough miles in the expiry period for a useful redemption. Basically for most of the options I can afford I end up flying in business for an economy price. With OZ I could save enough for an EU / AU J redemption and that would be very useful.

I modelled a year of my travel under both plans and TK came out slightly ahead. wheretocredit.com is your friend in this regard.