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I guess I was looking for a StarAlliance program that would allow me to easily gain status credits and use them at some time in the future. At the same time, the SQ / VA tie up might mean that I could tip points from VA into SQ for an upgrade at some future date, in which case I should sign up for SQ (but only use it for the LX and UA sectors) - is that a good strategy?
Or would I just be better off using the UA program and be done with it?
Many thanks.
Not sure what you mean by the part I have bolded; I think you may have meant miles/points, rather than Status Credits? Most FF programs have two components (apologies if the below is the bleeding obvious but it might help other readers).
a) 'Miles' or 'points' which are earned, usually per mile flown at a rate set by your status and the cabin flown in, or with hotels, shopping etc. You can redeem points for 'award' flights (and having high status usually gets you better chances of getting an 'award' seat) or for merchandise in most FF programs. Miles or points usually last as long as you are active in the program, usually.
b) 'Status credits' or similar. This is a second currency, usually earned by a set number per sector, usually related and reflect the cabin flown in (can also be number of sectors flown, in some schemes).
They nearly always expire at the end of the membership year. Accumulating these gets you higher and higher up the airlines totem pole and gets you progressively better perks, such as better seat selection, lounge access, more baggage allowance, but only for the particular year. (Krisflyer requires certain numbers of 'Elite Miles' to be earned per status tier. I don't know how thay related to miles flown.)
So, the more you focus your flights on one program, the more points/miles you will acquire long term, and the higher status you might earn
in one particular year.
If you have no other plans to fly internationally, then definitely credit as much as you can to Velocity. Getting to Platinum there would be very worth while. And then, yes, sign up to Krisflyer and credit the other flights to that (as long as they will earn on Krisflyer, with the fare you have chosen); good thinking. I
think you can flow your Krisflyer miles back into Velocity??? If you aren't planning to fly internationally anytime soon, they may expire sitting in Krisflyer so would be better off in your Velocity account (again, if I have that right).
UA may have the same issue with miles expiry and you can't send them to Velocity!