Choosing Frequent Flyer Program to Canada

[IronMac]

Hi all,

I guess I could ask this question on Flyertalk or whatever but I just don't want to sign up for another forum and I know that Singaporeans are great travelers.

I'm planning on flying 2-3 times a year from now on between SG and Toronto/Montreal Canada. About 23k-28k miles return. Anywhere from Economy to Premium to Business class.

I currently have UA and Delta FFP memberships with some points in each one. But, I am quite willing to move on to another FFP if need be. So, if you say jump on CX then I will go for CX. Or BA. Or whatever. The SG credit cards with FFP affiliations are ANZ Platinum (points go to either Asia Miles or Krisflyer) and Amex Ascend Krisflyer.

Can anyone suggest which airline's FFP will get me the most miles ie. fastest way to a free trip to Canada? Greatly appreciate any suggestions!

P.S. I will not consider any Indian airline nor Etihad.

 

[lcpteck]

What's wrong with Etihad? I've never flown them before but J and F class passengers do get Etihad Chauffeur for certain cities.

To get the best out of this, you'll have to study how much mileage you would earn per year and what kind of status you'll get and also the award chart on how you'll be able to spend them. Majority of Singapore CCs are limited to SQ and CX mileage earnings.

You'll also have to consider the Alliances each airline is in and how is the partner award chart and such.

Seriously lots of considerations to think about. Hope it starts the engine on your thinking cap.

 

[DealuxTravel]

UA will transit to revenue based program, you will earn 5x miles per USD for normal member crediting to mileage plus.

Delta also revenue based program for crediting to Skypesos.

Above 2 programs not able to accumulate miles if you only have SG credit cards, and miles earn rate will be poor if you only buy cheap tickets.

But you can still fly them and credit to their alliance / partner airlines.

BA has insane fuel surcharges on redemption on own metal.

Cathay looks the most promising as you say you will fly premium Economy and they have low surcharges for redemption.

Maybe you can fly UA and credit to Avianca Lifemiles which has no fuel surcharges on redemption. Read up on this first before committing.

 

[lcpteck]

If you do go ahead with Delta or UA or those revenue FFPs, fly their partner airlines instead so you can credit better mileage to them.

 

[IronMac]

UA will transit to revenue based program, you will earn 5x miles per USD for normal member crediting to mileage plus.

Delta also revenue based program for crediting to Skypesos.

Above 2 programs not able to accumulate miles if you only have SG credit cards, and miles earn rate will be poor if you only buy cheap tickets.

But you can still fly them and credit to their alliance / partner airlines.

Cathay looks the most promising as you say you will fly premium Economy and they have low surcharges for redemption.

I wonder if Delta is going revenue-based for overseas FFP members? I've read their conditions and it seems that that is only for American-based members? Am I wrong?

The only SG credit card that will credit points to either UA or Delta FFPs is Citi Premier Miles...which I was turned down for earlier in 2014. Of course, now it's probably a different story...

I think you're right...think CX is probably the best option given my circumstances...

 

[IronMac]

If you do go ahead with Delta or UA or those revenue FFPs, fly their partner airlines instead so you can credit better mileage to them.

Yep, that is what I do. My last flight back was on KLM and the points went to Delta's FFP. KLM is very efficient and staff a bit terse.

With UA's FFP, I usually fly Air Canada or something else. I actually haven't flown UA in years! You can't beat Star Alliance's network of airlines. I've flown on points with Lufthansa and SQ.

 

[lcpteck]

I wonder if Delta is going revenue-based for overseas FFP members? I've read their conditions and it seems that that is only for American-based members? Am I wrong?

It will be revenue based regardless. The only advantage of non-US members are we don't need to meet the PQD requirement. But miles earned is still based on ticket price (if you fly on DL metal). So you'll have to fly a partner airline and credit mileage to DL to earn the mileage flown (depending on airline and fare code of course).

The only SG credit card that will credit points to either UA or Delta FFPs is Citi Premier Miles...which I was turned down for earlier in 2014. Of course, now it's probably a different story...

Unfortunately no CC in SIN can credit to UA. For DL, it's Citibank cards.

I think you're right...think CX is probably the best option given my circumstances...

Do remember you'll need a V class fare to qualify for mileage (100%) and sectors which isn't cheap compared to other airlines though. But if company is paying for it, why not.

MH is my preferred airline regionally due to the affordable pricing compared to other full service airlines. Reason being I fly for leisure so price is a concern hehe.

 

[Hisashiburi]

Redemption is cheapest on ua n dl.
Costs very little to redeem award tickets.

Asian airlines n BA cost a ton.

 

[IronMac]

It will be revenue based regardless. The only advantage of non-US members are we don't need to meet the PQD requirement. But miles earned is still based on ticket price (if you fly on DL metal). So you'll have to fly a partner airline and credit mileage to DL to earn the mileage flown (depending on airline and fare code of course).


Unfortunately no CC in SIN can credit to UA. For DL, it's Citibank cards.


Do remember you'll need a V class fare to qualify for mileage (100%) and sectors which isn't cheap compared to other airlines though. But if company is paying for it, why not.

Thanks for all the great info! I was not too sure about the DL policy towards overseas SkyMiles members and totally mistaken about Citibank cards and UA.

All of this flying will be on my own dime. Am thinking early March for my next trip back then one to two more later this year. It depends on finances to some extent.

 

[IronMac]

Redemption is cheapest on ua n dl.
Costs very little to redeem award tickets.

Agree! Flew Lufthansa and SQ on UA miles. Suffered cattle car for two years before a bit of luxury.

 

[lcpteck]

Thanks for all the great info! I was not too sure about the DL policy towards overseas SkyMiles members and totally mistaken about Citibank cards and UA.

All of this flying will be on my own dime. Am thinking early March for my next trip back then one to two more later this year. It depends on finances to some extent.

I fly on my own dough too.

For longhaul to the US, I have not really planned it out yet. I'm thinking to fly to IAD around once a year to visit my mom so was still looking at airfares and such. I'll probably just lookout for deals and credit mileage (if any) to FFPs which I can use. Currently looking at the CA promo to US (travel till end June only) for S$1.1k roundtrip (S Class fare). Will credit to my existing AC account if I do fly later this year for 50% mileage.

 

[IronMac]

Currently looking at the CA promo to US (travel till end June only) for S$1.1k roundtrip (S Class fare). Will credit to my existing AC account if I do fly later this year for 50% mileage.

My wife flew with CA years ago and she said never again! Plane was filthy (especially the toilets) and the passengers were all China Chinese.

I've also read the online reviews and I go...hmm???

 

[lcpteck]

My wife flew with CA years ago and she said never again! Plane was filthy (especially the toilets) and the passengers were all China Chinese.

I've also read the online reviews and I go...hmm???

Well, I have flown on MU a few times and CZ once to China. I find they're okay. They'll get you there and back and there's also meal service and luggage allowance, a typical full service airline. Never tried the toilets though.

$1.1k is outrageously cheap to US and there's only 1 stopover at PEK. Another option is go for the gulf carriers like QR/EK/EY for a few hundred dollars more when they have their promos. I have thought about flying AA ex-HKG but there'll be stopover at DFW after that before the final destination. And I still have to get to HKG via SIN.

Nothing wrong with passengers being all China Chinese, there's also horror stories on US domestic flights as well.

 

[dilphinus]

I fly on my own dough too.

For longhaul to the US, I have not really planned it out yet. I'm thinking to fly to IAD around once a year to visit my mom so was still looking at airfares and such. I'll probably just lookout for deals and credit mileage (if any) to FFPs which I can use. Currently looking at the CA promo to US (travel till end June only) for S$1.1k roundtrip (S Class fare). Will credit to my existing AC account if I do fly later this year for 50% mileage.

Air China S class only 25%.

Your AC account is Air Canada frequent flyer ya?

 

[lcpteck]

Air China S class only 25%.

Your AC account is Air Canada frequent flyer ya?

Yep, AC is Air Canada. My account is Aeroplan. S Class on CA earns 50% so better to credit it to AC. And the best thing is miles earned have no expiry as long as there's activity every 12 months.

 

[lcpteck]

Unfortunately it's also difficult to earn Aeroplan miles here at home. Can only earn by flying their partner airlines. So it will take some time to accumulate but no expiry hence not worried.

I also recently earned 30k miles just by staying in a few cheap Accor hotels in Bali Kuta as part of a promotion.