[neil_gardner]

As more and more of us become disenfranchised with the QFF program, it is natural that we look at other schemes as a viable alternative. As I fly internationally a few times a year on SIA, I was looking to join another scheme, KrisFlyer, ANZ etc. I remembered an old BMI program that I am still a member of from when I was still living in Blighty.
The key benefit of this scheme is the realtively few points required to a) gain status and b) travel on Awards within Oceania, just 30,000 - that's for any ticket on a Star Alliance parter (i.e. Air NZ) within AUS, NZ, South Pacific - although the scheme is fairly basic with no upgrade creds :cry: It's still a pretty good deal in my book . Plus they're doing a member-get-member so if anyone wants to join and has a UK address - I can provide one if necessary - then post a reply and we can sort something out! :wink:

[aspro2]

I think all Star Alliance partner awards are now standardised across programs, aren't they? (excepting the occasional special arrangement, like UA upgrades on LH)

BMI is such a crap airline IMHO (within Europe, haven't done trans-Atlantic with them) and their European routes are pretty limited (numerous changes to it in the last three years as well), that I personally wouldn't want to be 'loyal' to them :?

[neil_gardner]

I think all Star Alliance partner awards are now standardised across programs, aren't they? (excepting the occasional special arrangement, like UA upgrades on LH)

A quick look on how many flown and paid miles required to reach Gold Status on Star Alliance Loyalty Programs.
It takes 70k on SAS,
It takes 50,000 on United
It takes 50,000 also on SIA
50k on Thai
Lufthansa is difficult to work out but i think its 50k,
BUT only 38k miles on BMI.
So my one Business class trip to the UK will qualify me for Gold Status.

And as there is no requirement to fly on BMI to remain a member then I don't feel that I'm being loyal to them. In fact, I'm probably costing them a fortune as they'll have to fund the redemptions that I make on non-BMI airlines.

[Kiwi Flyer]

The 38k on BMI for Gold is only after you have already qualified Silver (ie need 18k+38k = 56k).
LH requires 100k (unless living in Germany then 150k) for Gold.

Note that qualification, earning, cost of awards/upgrades, etc all vary by program.

Eg some programs business earns 1.25 miles, others 2 or even 2.25 miles.


For more information see compilation of useful *A data and links, and in particular *A Gold comparison