Transitioning roles, seeking advice on Star Alliance FF programs

[AndrewCC]

I'm a first time poster and looking forward to getting involved in this very active community!

I've been a long term Qantas/OneWorld flyer, with Platinum for 20+ years and LTG locked away a while ago. I still have quite a few Qantas points, which I fully intend to use!

I'm have now transitioned from a full time Executive to Non-Executive roles and my travel will be less, but (hopefully) there will be more leisure travel as well as business. Because of Covid etc, I expect to lose Platinum later this year and, frankly, Qantas prices these days are often way out of the money for us (buying for me, my wife and two late stage teenagers)!

Over the years I've joined a number of Star Alliance affiliated FF programs - Singapore, United, Air New Zealand at least. I don't have many points left on any of them. As I'm going to be a more of a price taker going forward, and may fly either OneWorld or Star Alliance, I'd love feedback on what members either think is the best of the Star Alliance FF programs, or at least what to look for when selecting.

I expect my international travel will be an equal mix of Canada, Europe and Asia for the next few years. Less so to the US. Depending on price we will be flying 2x business, 2x economy, or 2x premium economy, 2x economy so lounge access might be a relevant consideration.

Thanks in anticipation!

 

[Mwenenzi]

Welcome to AFF

Air NZ ffp is a bad as any ffp can be. Only of value if you live in NZ and fly Air NZ a lot.
United ff miles do not expire. UA is revenue based for UA tickets & distance based for others.

VA is a partner of Air Canada, SQ & UA

How to Buy & Redeem Air Canada Aeroplan Points

Since May 2020, Air Canada now sells its Aeroplan points directly to the public.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

May well join a Skyteam ffp as well. SkyTeam - Wikipedia

Getting mid - top status can be a hard slog now. More ffp's are morphing from frequent flyer program to frequent spender programs.
A lot to be said for flying the airline with the best schedule - price that meets your needs, and treat ff miles as bonus that may/may not be used in the future.

Airline Alliances

Questions and discussion regarding airline alliances such as Oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance. You can also read our Global Airline Alliances articles.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[AndrewCC]

Thanks very much for that.

We are flying Air Canada in January to Vancouver - would you use Singapore KrisFlyer FF or United FF for that - sounds like United might be better if the miles don't expire?

Thanks also for the tip on Skyteam ffp - not a member of any of them yet!

 

[AndrewCC]

I should have also said thanks for the links to Airline Alliances - that not surprisingly seems to have everything I need!

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @AndrewCC .

This thread may be of help; it was re-invigorated recently.

Australian Frequent Flyer

Tips, Tricks & Chat for the Australian Frequent Flyer

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

This may also be of interest (and trawl 'AFF Gazette' on the top menu)

The Best Frequent Flyer Programs for Earning Star Alliance Gold Status

This guide explains why Aegean Miles+Bonus and Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles are the best loyalty programs to earn Star Alliance Gold status.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Mwenenzi]

We are flying Air Canada in January to Vancouver - would you use Singapore KrisFlyer FF or United FF for that - sounds like United might be better if the miles don't expire?

SQ miles have a hard expiry (3 yrs). Use them or lose them.

 

[AndrewCC]

Thanks everyone for the welcome and the links - plenty to work on to get the answer that suits us!