Hey all, what do you think offers the best rewards and the most extensive route network?

Hey all, what do you think offers the best rewards and the most extensive route network? OW, *Allianceor Skyteam ?

Do you have status with either of them? What would you rate them?

Have to go with One World, there status points system is easier to gain rewards. etc. 

I have had status with both in the past and personally I didn't find AS too bad but prefer OW. 

OW - 7.5/10

AS - 6/10

What is it with all these absolute metrics???

Life is not that black and white! One needs to apply context! Goodness!

I am looking at what alliance I should go with

Right, so let's tailor it for your situation.

• Where do you travel to mostly?
• Who do you prefer to travel with in most instances?
• Which cabin do you normally fly?
• What is important to you when it comes to travelling?

I usually go away for holidays every 6 months and travel in J I am near Qantas Gold at the moment, what I am looking for in an Alliance is lounge access, good network (For around the world trips) and priority boarding. I am not too keen on Skyteam as they are an 'odd' bunch. So really only looking at *A or OW.

First up, I believe rewards for an alliance is primarily driven by the airline as opposed to the alliance. For example, there are 2 airlines in the same alliance. Airline A offers better redemption rates than Airline B. Theoretically the benefit of the alliance falls to the person who is enrolled in Airline B's programme.

Secondly, a large alliance network is only useful if you actually want to visit those places! Realistically, which cities and how frequently will you visit them as part of your round the world trips? No point going for a wider scope only to miss out on other benefits. You are better off focusing on an alliance that provides increased frequency to main hubs. With increased volume, your chances of securing award bookings are also higher. Increased volume may also provide competitive prices, which helps if you're on a revenue booking.

I believe that OW is the better option for South American since the TAM/LAN merger but I am not too sure on Africa. The main things I am looking for are Lounge Access and then after I aquire enough points being able to book an award booking.

Sorry I didn't mention I am looking for an around the world trip in my 'luxury' gap year

I suggest you also consider the deemption rates and polices of the frequent flyer scheme in question.    Outlined below is link to survery conducted on the redemption rates of varoius airlines.

ttp://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/the-best-and-worst-frequent-flyer-programs-revealed/story-fn6yjmoc-1227358861939

It depends on where you want to travel in Africa.

BA has a domestic operation that coveres most of Southern Africa if you're based in South Africa.

Like everyone has said, highly dependant on where you want to base yourself?

UK - OW using BA / Iberia / Flybe (although not part of OW, you get BA avios for UK domestic flights)

Continental Europe - depends on Country, Germany - *A with Lufthansa or OW with Air Berlin, France/Netherlands - SkyTeam through KLM / Air France, Spain - OW through Iberia

USA - OW with AA, *A with Air Canada & United, SkyTeam with Delta (yikes!!!)

South America - OW with LATAM

If you are already near QF SG, I would stick with that one if I were you.

Not all that far if fly J 6 monthly, to get to WP at the least.

Apart from BA and QF there are not that many airlines that have F class on planes and lounges in OW.

In *A, SQ have F.

EY too has F.

Hard to compare.

If you weren't near QF SG, I would say go with SQ, but as you are close to QF SG, stick with OW.