How the major oneworld mileage programs compare and why having the right credit card(s) makes such a HUGE difference.
This is part three of FCF’s new mileage-award comparison series, in which we grade major alliance mileage programs by how much they charge for a free award ticket in Business or First Class to various regions of the world.
In July, we focused on Star Alliance in First Class to Asia and in June oneworld in Business Class to Asia. For this installment, we examined eight oneworld airline loyalty programs to southern South America in Business Class.
[aside headline="Why Starwood Is King" alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"]Japan Airlines only charges 65,000 miles in Business Class on some southern South America routes: Miami-Buenos Aires, New York-Rio de Janeiro, Dallas/Miami-Santiago, Miami/New York- Sao Paulo and many others. This is one of the lowest Business Class awards to southern South America, it only requires 55,000 Starpoints 5,000 miles fewer than United charges for coach. Compare that with 100,000 points via AA’s own credit card or 110,000 via United Chase cards.
In other words, generally speaking, Starwood card players often net 2-for-1s compared to non-Starwood players.[/aside]
Mileage Cost Discrepancies
Flying to Southern South America allows you to take advantage of award chart discrepancies between airline partners. Having the right credit cards, meaning one from Amex Rewards, Chase, Citi ThankYou, or Starwood, enables savvy travelers to leverage these discrepancies.
Many Asian carriers—and even some European carriers use a flight distance award chart (mileage equals the distance between departure and destination cities), whereas most North American carriers use a regional chart (a flat rate from one region to another; also known as a zone chart).
Sometimes you can book an Asian carrier at a much lower rate, such as using 35,000 (35%) fewer miles on Japan Airlines from New York to Rio de Janeiro.
A Note on the Grading System
It’s very simple, A through F, just like in grammar school.The lower the mileage requirement, the higher the grade, and for this report card FCF rates not only each airline’s mileage requirements but also grades partner flight rates. The grades are based on the four sample routes, as it is impossible to show all routes.
The Grades
Air Berlin: C
Does not fly the routes, but offers partner flight awards at 140,000 miles round-trip. Mileage transfers partner: Starwood.
American: B+ / B+
The only North American airline in this report card that charges the same amount for its own and partner flights to/from southern South America, 100,000 miles round-trip. Mileage transfers partner: Starwood.
[aside headline="Buy Miles to Fly in Style" alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"]The “buy miles” strategy works when published fares are high ($4,000+, usually) or a non-stop is a must. We don’t recommend it when fares to southern South America are on sale ($1,603 to $2,519), as our most recent fare alerts (August 12 and August 5) show.[/aside]
British Airways: D-
Uses a flight distance chart and offers access to partner flight awards that aren’t competitive, with rates starting at 150,000 miles. Mileage-transfer partners: Amex Rewards, Chase, Starwood.
Cathay Pacific: B+
Offers partner awards based on a flight distance chart. The benefit: low cost, 80,000 to 120,000 miles round-trip. Mileage-transfer partners: Amex Rewards, Starwood, Citi ThankYou.
Iberia: D
Partner awards only and expensive ones (150,000 miles) at that. Miles can be transferred from Amex Rewards, Chase, and Starwood.
Japan Airlines: A+
Partner awards only (doesn’t fly the route), which are a great deal, starting as low as 65,000 miles round trip Miami-Buenos Aires and New York-Rio de Janeiro (for more routes see below). This is the lowest oneworld partner award to this region. Hence, A+. Mileage transfers partner: Starwood.
LAN: A+ / B
The only airline in this report card that has a 1 to 1.5 exchange rate with Starwood meaning you get 1.5 kilometers for every one point transferred—plus the everyday 25% Starwood transfer bonus. So, 60,000 Starpoints nets 112,500 kilometers, and a second transfer, 24-hours later, of 20,000 points (nets 37,500) puts the total at 150,000 kilometers. Even fewer Starpoints (about 60,000) are needed for the 100,000-kilometer awards (see chart below). Mileage transfer partner: Starwood.
Malaysia Airlines: D-
Uses a flight distance chart and offers expensive partner awards, starting at 144,000 miles. Transfer partner: Citi Thank You.
Round-trip Award Costs to southern South America > oneworld > Business Class
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