When it comes to choosing a frequent flyer programme within the SkyTeam alliance, travellers are faced with a variety of options that cater to different regions and travel habits. Whether you’re based in Europe, North America, or Asia, selecting the right programme can significantly enhance your flying experience, offering everything from elite status benefits to convenient reward redemptions. In this article, we’ll review the top three SkyTeam frequent flyer programmes – Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Delta SkyMiles, and Korean Air SKYPASS. We’ll explore how easy it is to earn status with lounge access, the typical costs involved, and the value of redeeming points for business and first-class travel. Join us as we dive into the details and determine which SkyTeam programme stands out as the best option for frequent flyers around the world.

Air France-KLM Flying Blue

How easy is it to obtain status with lounge access?

Air France-KLM Flying Blue offers three elite tiers that include lounge access: Silver (SkyTeam Elite), Gold (SkyTeam Elite Plus), and Platinum (SkyTeam Elite Plus). To achieve Gold status, which grants lounge access, you need 280 XP (Experience Points) within a membership year. Flying Blue’s XP earning system is relatively straightforward, with higher XP awarded for long-haul and premium cabin flights.

How much would it typically cost to obtain this tier?

Achieving Gold status would typically cost between €4,000 and €7,000, depending on the routes and fare classes chosen. For example, a round-trip business class flight from Europe to Asia could earn up to 60 XP, so a few such trips would bring you close to the required 280 XP.

How easy is it to redeem points for business and first class?

Flying Blue is known for its monthly Promo Rewards, which offer discounted award tickets in business and economy class on select routes. Availability can be good, especially if you’re flexible with dates and destinations. However, taxes and fees can be relatively high, particularly on long-haul flights departing from Europe.

Do points expire? If so, how long?

Flying Blue miles expire after 24 months of inactivity. However, any earning or spending activity will reset the clock.

Where in the world is it best to be based to take advantage of the programme?

The Flying Blue programme is most advantageous for travellers based in Europe, particularly near Air France or KLM hubs like Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol.

Who is the programme best for?

This programme is ideal for frequent travellers in Europe who fly regularly with Air France, KLM, or other SkyTeam partners. It’s also beneficial for those who can take advantage of the Promo Rewards and the extensive European route network.

Who is the programme worst for?

It’s less suitable for those based outside Europe, where Flying Blue partners are less prominent. Additionally, the high taxes and fees on award tickets can make it less attractive for those looking to maximize the value of their miles.

Are there other ways to earn points, such as a credit card?

Yes, Flying Blue members can earn miles through a variety of co-branded credit cards, particularly in Europe. Additionally, miles can be earned through hotel stays, car rentals, and shopping with Flying Blue’s network of partners. Points from American Express Membership Rewards can also be transferred to Flying Blue miles.

Delta SkyMiles

How easy is it to obtain status with lounge access?

Delta SkyMiles offers four elite tiers with SkyTeam Elite Plus status and lounge access starting at Gold Medallion. To achieve Gold Medallion status, you need 50,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) and $8,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) within a calendar year. This can be challenging but is achievable with frequent travel, especially on long-haul routes.

How much would it typically cost to obtain this tier?

Achieving Gold Medallion status typically costs between $6,000 and $10,000, depending on the routes and fare classes. Regular long-haul business class flights, particularly on higher fare classes, can help you reach this tier more quickly.

How easy is it to redeem points for business and first class?

Delta SkyMiles has a reputation for dynamic pricing, meaning the cost in miles for award tickets can vary widely. While business and first-class awards are available, they often require a significant number of miles, particularly on popular routes. However, Delta has no blackout dates, and availability is generally better on Delta-operated flights.

Do points expire? If so, how long?

SkyMiles do not expire, offering great flexibility for those who may not travel frequently but want to save up miles over time.

Where in the world is it best to be based to take advantage of the programme?

The SkyMiles programme is most advantageous for travellers based in the United States, particularly near Delta hubs like Atlanta, New York JFK, or Los Angeles.

Who is the programme best for?

This programme is ideal for frequent U.S. travellers who regularly fly with Delta and value the extensive domestic and international network. It’s also great for those who appreciate miles that don’t expire.

Who is the programme worst for?

It’s less suitable for travellers based outside the U.S., where Delta’s network is less prominent. Additionally, those who prefer predictable award pricing may find the dynamic pricing model frustrating.

Are there other ways to earn points, such as a credit card?

Yes, Delta SkyMiles members can earn miles through several co-branded American Express credit cards, such as the Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve cards. These cards offer generous sign-up bonuses and earn miles on everyday purchases. Additionally, miles can be earned through hotel stays, car rentals, and shopping with SkyMiles partners.

Korean Air SKYPASS

How easy is it to obtain status with lounge access?

Korean Air’s SKYPASS offers two elite tiers with SkyTeam Elite Plus status and lounge access: Morning Calm Premium Club and Million Miler Club. To achieve Morning Calm Premium Club status, which grants lounge access, you need to accumulate 500,000 miles or 500 qualifying flights over your lifetime, making it a more challenging programme for those who don’t frequently fly long-haul.

How much would it typically cost to obtain this tier?

Reaching Morning Calm Premium Club status can be costly, as it requires substantial long-haul flying or premium cabin travel over many years. The exact cost varies widely, but it typically involves several years of consistent travel, particularly in premium cabins.

How easy is it to redeem points for business and first class?

SKYPASS offers decent award availability for business and first-class redemptions, especially on Korean Air-operated flights. However, the mileage requirements can be high, particularly for long-haul international routes. Partner award availability is generally good, but it can require more planning and flexibility.

Do points expire? If so, how long?

SKYPASS miles expire 10 years after they are earned, giving members a long window to redeem them before they are forfeited.

Where in the world is it best to be based to take advantage of the programme?

The SKYPASS programme is most advantageous for travellers based in South Korea or East Asia, where Korean Air has a strong presence and extensive route network.

Who is the programme best for?

This programme is ideal for frequent travellers in East Asia who regularly fly with Korean Air or its SkyTeam partners. It’s also great for those who appreciate long mileage expiration periods.

Who is the programme worst for?

It’s less suitable for travellers who don’t frequently fly long-haul or those based outside East Asia, where earning and redeeming miles may be more challenging.

Are there other ways to earn points, such as a credit card?

Yes, SKYPASS members can earn miles through a variety of co-branded credit cards, particularly in South Korea and the United States. Additionally, miles can be earned through hotel stays, car rentals, and shopping with SKYPASS’s extensive partner network.

What about the others that didn’t make the top 3?

While Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Delta SkyMiles, and Korean Air SKYPASS are among the most popular and accessible within the SkyTeam alliance, there are several other programmes worth considering. For instance, Alitalia MilleMiglia offers decent award availability within Europe, but its uncertain future and limited network kept it out of the top three. Aeromexico Club Premier provides strong benefits for those based in Latin America, though the programme’s high mileage requirements for premium awards can be a drawback. Additionally, smaller programmes like China Eastern Eastern Miles and Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles offer niche advantages for regional travellers, but they lack the global reach and versatility of the top three.

Which is the worst SkyTeam frequent flyer programme?

ITA Airways Volare, the rebranded frequent flyer programme of the now-defunct Alitalia, inherits some of the challenges that plagued its predecessor. While ITA Airways has made efforts to modernise and improve the programme, Volare still struggles to match the benefits and global reach of other SkyTeam programmes.

One major issue with Volare is the limited network and flight options, as ITA Airways is still in the process of rebuilding its route map. This makes it less appealing for travellers who need flexibility and a wide range of destinations. Additionally, the transition from MilleMiglia to Volare has been rocky, with some members expressing concerns over the transfer of miles and the programme’s overall reliability.

Award availability, especially in premium cabins, can be inconsistent, and the programme lacks the same level of lucrative partnerships and earning opportunities found in more established SkyTeam programmes like Flying Blue or Delta SkyMiles. Given these limitations, ITA Airways Volare is often seen as one of the weaker options within the SkyTeam alliance, particularly for travellers looking for a stable and rewarding frequent flyer programme.

BG1 Verdict

After comparing the top three SkyTeam frequent flyer programmes, it’s clear that each has its strengths depending on your location and travel habits. Air France-KLM Flying Blue is best for European travellers who value extensive route networks and monthly award sales, despite higher taxes on redemptions. Delta SkyMiles stands out for U.S. travellers, offering flexibility with no mileage expiration and a vast network, though dynamic pricing can be unpredictable. Korean Air SKYPASS excels for East Asian travellers who appreciate long mileage validity and solid award availability on Korean Air flights. Overall, Delta SkyMiles emerges as the top SkyTeam programme due to its balance of extensive network coverage, flexible award redemptions, and non-expiring miles, making it the best choice for frequent flyers, particularly those based in the United States.