Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ABC KID]

I'll flown to and from Korea several times in my life. I'll probably be making my next trip in February...

Many times I've seen various airlines offering airmiles and reward schemes but I've never actually bothered registering with them. They seem to be a good thing but has anyone actually experienced them?

Are the rewards they offer significant? For example if they offer free international flights, how many flights do you generally have to make first? Can all of a family usually use one person's card/registration or is it strictly on an individual basis? What other SIGNIFICANT perks do they offer?

Can people share some of their experiences or knowledge please? I'm particularly interested in hearing about those that have experience of European airlines such as KLM but I'd be happy to hear about anyone's experience with bonus schemes from any country in any continent.

Thanks in advance everyone,

ABC KID

[ttompatz]

[crazy tigger]

I am a member of flying blue which is the KLM, air Korea etc network. I have 85000 miles now which is enouigh for a return flight from korea to the UK. To get this many I have done 2 return trips from the UK to Africa, to return trips UK to South America, a few internal flights in South AMerica and also a one way UK to Korea flight. Some of these miles are fromother sources, for example I wrote a letter of coplaint once and gpt 7500 miles, I also got 12000 of these miles as partof a special offer which doesn't usually apply, so from the flights I probably earnt about 65000 miles (UK to Korea is 80000). I did get other bonuses though, for example when I flew over here I had enough airmiles to be in a higher level of membership so got extra free luggage allowance. got to board the plane early 9not normally a big deal but I had the maximum allowed hand luggage size wise weighing about 15kg so it was nice tobe able to getthis in the ockers without having to deal with people barging past me) and got to check inusing the business desk check in so no queueing!

[ABC KID]

Thanks Ttompatz and Crazy Tigger for the great info. Others please contribute if you have something to add... It will be appreciated.

I think just one category of questions have been left unanswered and I've just had a good study of the FAQ on the KLM website without success...

Does EACH family member have to register or is there a family card?
Or perhaps there are even restrictions to one application per household? Can anyone help me out with this one?

Thanks everyone.

[sojourner1]

For Americans, it appears that Northwest is the budget airline and the one you will find yourself on the most if cost is an issue for you.

Now, how do you use miles if you are flying around on several airlines? (I.e. Thai airways, JAL, Korean Air, etc.)

I looked into the Star Alliance miles program which has 15 partner airlines, thus, 15 different miles programs. It appears there is no universal global airline miles program were you accrue miles into one single account for all flights to anywhere.

Miles programs tend to be geared at business travelers who fly the same routes on the same airline regularly. Miles programs are a good perk if you use the same airline for many of your trips. It's good to get into one or two that you believe you might use again in future trips as they are free to join.

[ttompatz]

[crazy tigger]

I couldn't find any sortt of family card etc, however with the star alliance one (which includes Northwest airlines) you can definatley use your miles to book a ticket for someone else if that helps at all. At the end of the day they cost nothing to join so you might aswell sign up.

[yuria]

There are many places that will allow you to transfer some of your miles to another persons, however you'll find that there are clauses included which say that you have to pay a certain amount of money per miles transfered.