GAME OVER, my last award ticket with Alitalia. My balance with Millemiglia is very positive
A few days before the official announcement, when there was still no certainty about the future of Alitalia award tickets to fly after [...]
ITA Airways
Alitalia
A few days before the official announcement, When there was still no certainty about the future of Alitalia award tickets to fly after October 14, I decided to "gamble" by detaching a ticket to fly to Thailand with Etihad. I have already been to Phuket this summer, I flew with Singapore Airlines to test the protocol. sandbox, the one that since July has reopened the borders to tourists from all over the world on the Kingdom's largest island.
In this article:
The end of the Millemiglia program had long been written and for the last 12 months or so I have stopped actively accumulating points on the AZ frequent flyer, in fact the 400k or so MM collected in these months have only been the result of direct offers from American Express to convince me to keep my cards. and points obtained through the introduce a friend promotion.
In recent months I have been trying to kill off the miles by booking a few flights for friends, while a large chunk of my points has been invested for a series of flights in spring 2022 that, with 99.99% odds, will be cancelled for me by October 14, although I have not received any communication from Alitalia at this time.
I was aware of AZ's demise, but hoped that award tickets with SkyTeam partners would be "safe". I had planned a tour to Southeast Asia (yes I am a repeat offender) departing from Paris where I would take advantage of various SkyTeam partners flying Korean Air, Air France, Vietnam Airlines, China Airlines. In total, all routes cost me a little over 600k MM points (and a few hundred euros in taxes) all of which were in business class and, of course, being the holder of dear old American Express Green I also had Obtained the milesback of 20%. This was supposed to be my farewell party to the Millemiglia world, but instead it will not be.
But Let's go back to what will be my last Millemiglia award ticket., next month's flight to Thailand aboard the Abu Dhabi-based company's 787/9 and 787/10, detached for 180k MM plus €60 in taxes. Gone in economy (60k points) and back in business (120k points), on the dates that were available I couldn't find a combination in BIZ only and then it will also be way to tell here on TFC about the different travel experiences between the two classes, aboard what is in effect the flagship of the EY fleet.
In recent years I can absolutely hold AZ to my credit, and I have to admit. On the long haul, the Magnifica was a product that didn't disfigure compared with European competitors.
Lufthansa's business class on the 747/800
BA's old business class, the vast majority of the AF/KLM/LH fleet offer an equal or worse product with business class cabins configured 2-2-2 then without guaranteeing aisle access to all passengers, with inferior cuisine to AZ.
On these pages I made time to tell about how with a few hundred euros, and Millemiglia points, I was able to go to Miami or to Tokyo. A great many other award tickets I got when this site was but a dream in the drawer. I think, on balance, I am abundantly in credit with Millemiglia. Now this last award ticket awaits me, we have already reviewed award flights with Etihad several times on this site, always booked using Alitalia points because, we have to be honest, we are unlikely to find in the future a award table as convenient as that of the now-defunct Millemiglia program..
Certainly, and I will conclude, I will not stop accumulating points and miles Because the best trip is always the one you have yet to book, and We hope sooner or later to do this with ITA as well.
