Well guys.. Im outa here. Dont have time for Ciao any more but thanks for all the laughs, tears and ...
Well guys.. Im outa here. Dont have time for Ciao any more but thanks for all the laughs, tears and comments! Ciao!
Member since:02.01.2005
Reviews:40
Members who trust:28
I have just joined the BMI diamond club, the frequent flyer programme for BMI. I am due to do quite a bit of travelling this year so thought I'd earn points to hopefully get a free flight or hotel stay at the end!
I looked around at the different programmes available, and the diamond club seems to be the best on the Star Alliance for a UK based traveller.
Earning -----------
You can earn with a variety of 'partners', be it hotels, airlines, car rental etc.. Present your card or number when booking.
There are 'destianation miles' which accumulate to determine the awards you can redeem. Only partners miles count as 'membership status miles' which determine the level of membership you have. (See below). These are only valid for a year.
Flights and Star Alliance
Miles are earnt according to the distance of the journey,
and to be honset it is too confusing to list in completeness in this review. I doubt you'd bother reading it even if I listed it. Essentially, the longer the journey, the more miles awarded. The higher the class, the more points as well (eg Business Class get double the points, some discounted rates get no or half points) For exmaple however - BMI internal flight of 600 miles - 600 miles earnt. Out of UK, if over 800 miles, you get one mile for one mile flown.
The club allows you to earn and redeem whilst flying with any of the Star Alliance airlines. I personally feel that this is the best of the big 'alliances,' although unfortunately it excludes BA (part of the Oneworld group). The list of Airlines is huge but includes BMI, United, Lufthansa, Swiss, TAP, Varig, ANA, Air Canada, Air NZ and US Airways. SAA and Virgin are included on certain routings. It also allows earning with BMIbaby, albeit v few miles per flight.
Hotels
You can get 1000 miles per night by staying at a partner hotel. This inlcuds Hilton, Jury's Doyle, Tag and SASRadisson.
Others
You can earn through booking through Avis, Airport parking (and get discounted rates). BMI also offer a credit card, where you earn a whopping 20,000 points on opening the account. You can continute to earn poits when you spend on the card, and get bonsu points if you buy flights through the website with the card. You can also transfer points to the scheme from Americain Express and BAA 'world points'
Flights - the world is neatly divided into 12 zones. Zone 1 includes UK and western Europe, and costs 12,000 miles. At the other end of the scale zone 10 is Hawaii and costs 80000 miles. Many flights have an option where you can pay part cash and a lower amount of miles. Of ocurse, you can only book if there is availability, and only a certain amount of seats are avail for reward payments on each flight. Multiply the milage cost by 2 for business class seats
Hotels - 6000 miles gives £10 off a hotel stay, booked through BMI
Car rental - 15000 miles gives a £25 Avis voucher.
OTHER BENEFITS --------------------------
This depends on the level of membership
Blue - starters get Blue membership. here you get discounted car parking and preferential standby on flights. Not much else to be honest.
Silver - Access to airline lounges accross the Star Alliance netrwork. There are extra opportunities to earn miles, phone check in and extra baggage allowance!
Gold - the above as well as extra miles, room upgrades, free flight upgrades and you can buy membership for family / friends!
WHY BMI AS OPPOSED TO OTHERS?
Personally I fly BMI a lot and the chance to earn miles with a budget airline is excellent. It is part of the Star Alliance which is a fantastic group of airlines. BMI is a decent airline. I have previously been with United 'Miles and More'. Despite the fact it is part of Star Alliance, I felt that it was too US based and most of the offers were not useful for me.
PROBLEMS
I am quite new to the club so maybe this part of my reivew will grow, but I do feel the website isnt great, and there are loads of bits 'under maintenence' which isnt that professional! Also when you start you dont get a membership card,so you have to write down the number which is a bit annoying.
flybmi.com Apply online.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Nice informative review, having used BMI a few times myself i agree with your points completely. Also thanks for your input on my review, i changed it accordingly! :-)
james00j 01.06.2006 22:26
Lucky you -- good review ...
sun2006 14.05.2006 14:49
I used bmi several times, good price and service, diamond club seems rewarding so why not to join! Thanks for the review
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Record Rent a Car is present in the main spanish airports and has a very wide fleet. We offer: exceptional discounts, free additional drivers,
unlimited mileage... subscribe to our Club Record and take advantage of special offers.
Advantages: Can get free flights and earn miles from a variety of sources Disadvantages: Unless you are a serious frequent flyer, it could take you a long time
very helpful by (94%):
helpful by (6%):
