I'm primarily a oneworld member, but also hold membership in both SkyTeam and Star Alliance. From experience gained over the past 15+ years with SkyTeam, I would recommend the following Sky members (in order) :
KLM
Delta Airlines
Korean Air
The reasons I recommend are as follows:
KLM - Global network operations, extensive European and Asian coverage. Despite having periods of a 'choppy' travel history with KLM, this carrier continues to consistently forward information on their flights / sales / updates to your SkyTeam membership on a regular basis - irrespective of any breaks in your travel history with them. Once you are in their database, you are not forgotten. This is an aspect that I value highly.
Delta Airlines - is one of the 'big 4' US carriers and also has a significant overseas network operation, Delta is fine, as long as you have activity in your Delta account over 24 months. However, if you have an interruption which lasts 3 years (as we did during the COVID lockdown), you eventually float off their list for communications. Pleasingly, after resuming travel with Delta, they'll pick it up and you'll begin receiving comms again. DL has an Australian presence and a global network footprint. Despite Delta's close co-operation and ownership % in LATAM, LATAM is still yet to officially join SkyTeam.
Korean Air - has a significant operation in Australia, which may be important to you. With Asiana (ex Star Alliance) being merged with KAL, it remains to be seen what the true effects of this may eventually be. Enhanced carrier benefits, perhaps?
I've had limited / no direct experience with other SkyTeam members such as Air France, ITA, Kenya Airlines, Aeromexico. The rest of the SkyTeam members (ie: Aerolineas Argentinas, Saudia, Czech, Garuda, MEA, Tarom, Vietnam Airlines are too 'destination-specific' and have limited networks for my liking. That leaves China Eastern, Virgin Atlantic (not an SRB fan) and Xiamen Airlines. My fourth choice would be China Airlines (Taiwan).
I had major issues with Delta SkyMiles earlier this year. None of my flights on Aeromexico credited automatically and it took many months for them to credit it after I filed multiples requests. Then they credited it at the economy rate instead of business.
So I moved over to Air France/KLM flying blue. They quickly credited my Aeromexico flights (even though Delta technically already had, and NLU was not an airport in their system). I’ve flown Tarom, China Eastern, Xiamen Air this year and all has been credited no issue.
Air France also has a partnership with Qantas, so you can redeem your miles on Qantas flights.
I previously had Elite status on Korean Air but their program doesn’t allow you to redeem one-way flights on partner airlines, which really annoyed me.
I’m Gold on all 3 alliances now, but I’m unhappy with United MileagePlus and previously with Lufthansa, so need to find someone in Star I’m happy with.
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Which SkyTeam FF Program to use?
ja90ck
ja90ck
Member since 30 Aug 2019
Total posts 21
Hi All,
I have a couple of US domestic flights with Delta coming up, and also a Korean Air flight, Vancouver - Seoul then Seoul to Sydney coming up next year.
Which would be the best SkyTeam FF Program to credit these to? Most flying is with VA domestically and SQ internationally.
Appreciate the advice!
kimshep
kimshep
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Oct 2014
Total posts 412
I'm primarily a oneworld member, but also hold membership in both SkyTeam and Star Alliance. From experience gained over the past 15+ years with SkyTeam, I would recommend the following Sky members (in order) :
The reasons I recommend are as follows:
KLM - Global network operations, extensive European and Asian coverage. Despite having periods of a 'choppy' travel history with KLM, this carrier continues to consistently forward information on their flights / sales / updates to your SkyTeam membership on a regular basis - irrespective of any breaks in your travel history with them. Once you are in their database, you are not forgotten. This is an aspect that I value highly.
Delta Airlines - is one of the 'big 4' US carriers and also has a significant overseas network operation, Delta is fine, as long as you have activity in your Delta account over 24 months. However, if you have an interruption which lasts 3 years (as we did during the COVID lockdown), you eventually float off their list for communications. Pleasingly, after resuming travel with Delta, they'll pick it up and you'll begin receiving comms again. DL has an Australian presence and a global network footprint. Despite Delta's close co-operation and ownership % in LATAM, LATAM is still yet to officially join SkyTeam.
Korean Air - has a significant operation in Australia, which may be important to you. With Asiana (ex Star Alliance) being merged with KAL, it remains to be seen what the true effects of this may eventually be. Enhanced carrier benefits, perhaps?
I've had limited / no direct experience with other SkyTeam members such as Air France, ITA, Kenya Airlines, Aeromexico. The rest of the SkyTeam members (ie: Aerolineas Argentinas, Saudia, Czech, Garuda, MEA, Tarom, Vietnam Airlines are too 'destination-specific' and have limited networks for my liking. That leaves China Eastern, Virgin Atlantic (not an SRB fan) and Xiamen Airlines. My fourth choice would be China Airlines (Taiwan).
Dredgy
Dredgy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Apr 2017
Total posts 181
I had major issues with Delta SkyMiles earlier this year. None of my flights on Aeromexico credited automatically and it took many months for them to credit it after I filed multiples requests. Then they credited it at the economy rate instead of business.
So I moved over to Air France/KLM flying blue. They quickly credited my Aeromexico flights (even though Delta technically already had, and NLU was not an airport in their system). I’ve flown Tarom, China Eastern, Xiamen Air this year and all has been credited no issue.
Air France also has a partnership with Qantas, so you can redeem your miles on Qantas flights.
I previously had Elite status on Korean Air but their program doesn’t allow you to redeem one-way flights on partner airlines, which really annoyed me.
I’m Gold on all 3 alliances now, but I’m unhappy with United MileagePlus and previously with Lufthansa, so need to find someone in Star I’m happy with.