Thai Airlines FF convert to what?

[Frankdb58]

A close friend of mine is a member of Qantas & Virgin Aust FF programs and they have booked a return trip Melb to Oslo (return) we and are wondering what is the best FF program to enrol in so that they can transfer their miles back to either Virgin or Qantas programs.

She will also be flying Melb to PA (USA) return later in the year.

I was thinking they should join UA's Mileageplus, thus taking advantage of the Star Alliance network. We are open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

FD

 

[markis10]

A close friend of mine is a member of Qantas & Virgin Aust FF programs and they have booked a return trip Melb to Oslo (return) we and are wondering what is the best FF program to enrol in so that they can transfer their miles back to either Virgin or Qantas programs.

She will also be flying Melb to PA (USA) return later in the year.

I was thinking they should join UA's Mileageplus, thus taking advantage of the Star Alliance network. We are open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

FD

Thai don't map back to either VA or QF, if they credit to Agean, at least they will get status easily enough.

 

[JohnK]

I was thinking they should join UA's Mileageplus, thus taking advantage of the Star Alliance network. We are open to suggestions.

Depending on whether they want status or not then probably SQ KrisFlyer or TG Royal Orchid Plus.

Neither is able to be transferred to Virgin or Qantas but if they have Australian based Amex then MR points can be transferred to either program. Note the 3 year expiry on miles.

 

[Cynicor]

If I'm not mistaken, you are talking about moving points from one airline program into another?
This is generally unable to be done with a few small exceptions and, in those cases, mostly to related (by ownership) programs.

Status trumps miles in my view, so if you/they can get to gold with *A and Aegean then that would be my pick.

 

[travelislife]

It's not clear but I think you are saying she is flying on Thai Airlines and you are looking at what the best program would be to credit the miles too? Definitely do not credit them to Thai Airways ROP, they have just brought in a massive devaluation of miles and charge exorbitant fuel surcharges (refer table below to compare). I think you are on the right track with United Mileage Plus. Although they had a devaluation recently it is still pretty good in the pacific region. You will just need to check the class of the booking to determine if/how many miles she will earn in Mileage plus for the flights.

"Round Trip Miles Required
(Sydney to Bangkok Business Class)"
Thai (old chart) 98000
Thai (new chart) 196000
Singapore Airlines 93500
Qantas 120000
Cathay 140000
Malaysian 106000
Emirates 120000
United 60000 (on the same TG planes and no fuel surcharges)
United (economy) 35000

 

[TomVexille]

What class are they flying? Be aware that many of the cheap economy tickets won't earn at all.