British Airways Gold status = oneworld Emerald for less than EUR 2,000 – FCAM Blog – Save up to 70% on business, first class and luxury hotels

Please note that the following deal is already expired. It is shown only to illustrate a detailed insider strategy for PLATINUM and DIAMOND members. You can see that our insider strategies are far more than “pimped” regular deals. They are exceptional deals detailed out in a comprehensive manner to provide you with maximum options for implentation.

Overview

Since this blog post is very long, we provide you with a table of content to facilitate navigation:

Introduction to the Malaysia Airlines Enrich program – The basis for the strategy
Asia strategy – Achieve oneworld Emerald Status with two Economy Class flights to Asia at the best possible price
New Zealand strategy – Achieve oneworld Emerald Status with an Economy Class flight to Auckland
New Zealand Premium Strategy – Earn the oneworld Emerald status in the Premium Economy / Business Class combination
Bali Business Class Strategy – Earn the oneworld Emerald status mainly in Business Class

Earning the oneworld Emerald for EUR 2,000 – The basis for the strategy

Introduction to the Malaysia Airlines Enrich program

In this article, we would like to introduce you to various strategies for achieving the coveted oneworld Emerald status, which offers exclusive privileges such as First Class Lounge access, starting at just under EUR 2,000. The strategies focus on the Enrich frequent flyer program of the oneworld member Malaysia Airlines. The Enrich program may not be familiar to most, but this is not a problem either, as you can – similar to the Star Alliance – take advantage of all the benefits of the oneworld Emerald frequent flyer status in the entire oneworld airline alliance. For example, with Enrich Platinum status you can use the First Class lounge in London on a British Airways flight, enjoy “The Pier” lounge in Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific or fresh sushi in the JAL First Class lounge in Tokyo with Cathay Pacific. In addition to worldwide lounge access, the Enrich Platinum status offers other valuable benefits that we will show you.

The Enrich frequent flyer program offers three different status levels in addition to the Blue basic level:

Enrich Silver (oneworld Ruby) requires 25,000 status miles within one calendar year
Enrich Gold (oneworld Sapphire) requires 50,000 status miles within one calendar year
Enrich Platinum (oneworld Emerald) requires 100,000 status miles within one calendar year

The Enrich Platinum status, which we are aiming for here, offers the following benefits that also apply to flights with all other oneworld airlines:

First Class lounge access
Priority check-in at the First Class counter
Priority baggage claim
Priority boarding
Waiting lists and standby priority
Additional baggage (rules vary slightly depending on the oneworld airline)
Enrich Platinum partner card for your spouse (He/she can therefore also use all privileges independently of you)

In addition, there are benefits that only apply to flights with Malaysia Airlines:

Meet & Greet service in Kuala Lumpur
30% mileage bonus
No expiration date for your miles
Seat guarantee in Economy Class for bookings made at least 24 hours in advance

As you can see, the Enrich Platinum status offers a variety of valuable benefits. Of particular interest here is the fact that these are not only valid for you, but that your spouse also receives his/her own Enrich Platinum card and thus the oneworld Emerald status. He/she can therefore also use all the advantages of the status in the future.

Triple miles promotion from Malaysia Airlines

The basis for our strategy is an exceptional promotion of Malaysia Airlines. For flights booked by 15 October and departing by 31 March 2019, you will receive triple awards and status miles.

Click here for the promotion

Click here for Terms & Conditions

This means that even in Economy Class you can earn up to 450% of the distance as status and award miles. As a result, you can earn 100,000 miles for Enrich Platinum status on only one-third of the flights you would normally need. However, you must complete all of these flights in one calendar year, either 2018 or 2019, but it is best to fly all of your miles in 2019 as the status should be valid until the end of 2020. We have researched for you on which flights you can take benefit of the promotion to obtain the Enrich Platinum status at a one-time low price. The promotion only applies to flights operated by Malaysia Airlines and NOT to codeshare flights. Therefore, please make sure before booking that the flights are marked as “operated by Malaysia Airlines” and NOT Japan Airlines or KLM.

In this example chart from Malaysia Airlines, you can see how the 3x miles promotion affects mileage accrual in the Enrich program:

Registration in the Malaysia Airlines Enrich program

You do not have to register separately for the promotion, but registration for the Enrich frequent flyer program is still necessary BEFORE BOOKING the first flights and thus by 15 October 2018 at the latest. You can register here or alternatively via the homepage and click on “Enrich Login”.

Please make sure to indicate your frequent flyer number when booking.

Once you have completed the registration process, the next step is to decide how you want to fly the required 100,000 miles. In the following sections, we will introduce you to various options.

The Asia strategy: two Economy Class flights to achieve oneworld Emerald

In the Economy Smart fare (booking class V) you earn 100% of the distance miles at Malaysia Enrich, which results in 300% including the promotion multiplier. Therefore, two attractive flights from London, Malaysia Airlines’ only destination in Europe, to Asia are usually sufficient to earn 100,000 miles. Please note that both trips must take place within one calendar year, either in 2018 or in 2019 by the end of March.

Simply combine two flights from the following selection to earn 100,000 status miles in total. It makes sense to choose a destination where you will earn more than 50,000 status miles as the first trip, as you will already have oneworld Sapphire status when you complete it. Sapphire status gives you free Business Class Lounge access, priority check-in, and additional baggage.

It is best to always book through the Malaysia Airlines website – but please ALWAYS note the booking classes below. Book here

London – Tokyo Narita

19,982 status and award miles, which results in 59,946 status and award miles with a triple multiplier.

London – Shanghai

17,890 status and award miles, which results in 53,670 status and award miles with a triple multiplier.

London – Beijing

18,656 status and award miles, which results in 55,968 status and award miles with a triple multiplier.

London – Seoul

18,902 status and award miles, which results in 56,706 status and award miles with a triple multiplier.

London – Bangkok

14,690 status and award miles, which results in 44,070 status and award miles with a triple multiplier.

London – Denpasar

15,612 status and award miles, which results in 46,836 status and award miles with a triple multiplier.

London – Hanoi

15,784 status and award miles, which results in 47,352 status and award miles with a triple multiplier.

London – Sandakan

15,466 status and award miles, which results in 46,398 status and award miles with a triple multiplier.

So you can earn 100,000 status miles with a variety of combinations and thus achieve oneworld Emerald status with 100,000 miles in a calendar year (2018 or 2019).

Feeder flights

To fly to London, there are many possibilities. In addition to the established airlines, budget airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet also fly to London, where you can buy tickets for just a few Euros.

The cheapest offer within the Lufthansa Group is the Eurowings flights from Cologne / Bonn:

The most favorable combination is, therefore, this one:

Feeder e.g. Eurowings at EUR 33.98
London – Beijing EUR 990 for 55,968 miles
Feeder e.g. Eurowings at EUR 33.98
London – Hanoi EUR 930 for 47,352 miles

Result: 103,320 miles for EUR 1,988

The Economy Class product

Malaysia Airlines Economy Class is a full-service product with free food and alcoholic beverages. In addition to the normal Economy Class seats, you can also reserve extra legroom seats for an extra fee. This is particularly useful on long flights to and from London, as the surcharge is usually relatively moderate.

This is how you can book:

You can book all fares directly on the Malaysia Airlines website. Select the Economy Smart fare and make sure that the Trip Summary shows the booking class “V” on the outward and return journey.

Book here

New Zealand strategy – with an Economy Class flight to oneworld Emerald

You can also earn the coveted oneworld Emerald status with just one trip from Europe to New Zealand. This is possible because you receive 150% status and award miles in the Economy Flex fare (booking class H). With the triple multiplier, you will earn a breathtaking 450% award and status miles on your trip to New Zealand. With more than 50,000 status miles on your outbound flight, you’ll be an Enrich Gold member on time for your return flight, giving you Business Class Lounge access in Auckland and Kuala Lumpur. (This requires some time in New Zealand as it may take a few days for miles to be credited from the outbound flight).

London – Auckland

36,000 status and award miles, resulting in a total of 108,000 status and award miles with the triple promotion

Feeder e.g. Eurowings at EUR 33.98
London – Auckland EUR 2,270 for 108,000 miles

Result: 108,000 miles for EUR 2,304

This is how you can book:

Flex fares in booking class “H” are unfortunately not always displayed on the Malaysia Airlines website. Alternatively, you can book your flight through the English-speaking Malaysia Airlines hotline: the German number is + 49 69380791399 and the email address for reservation inquiries is gccc.reservations@malaysiaairlines.com Please be sure to mention that you wish to book a ticket in booking class “H” and make sure that the agent sells one to you. If the price is lower than EUR 2,270, this is a clear warning that it is not the desired booking class. As a rule, however, the staff is aware of such requests and there should be no problems.

The New Zealand Premium strategy – Earn the oneworld Emerald status in the Premium Economy / Business Class combination

If you want to earn the required miles a little more comfortable, you can also book a combination of Business and Premium Economy flights for approx. EUR 3000. This is a trip via Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur to New Zealand and back. You will fly first with British Airways in the Premium Economy from Germany to Tokyo and then with Malaysia Airlines Business Class via Kuala Lumpur to Auckland.

Travel segment 1) Germany – Tokyo: EUR 1,069 for 12,420 award & status miles

You book your journey to Tokyo with British Airways in Premium Economy Class. Availability from various German, Austrian and Swiss airports is relatively good.

Travel segment 2) Tokyo – Auckland for EUR 2,049 and 92,032 award & status miles

From Tokyo, you fly with a new ticket via Kuala Lumpur to Auckland after a stopover. Since the flights from Tokyo generally book in booking class “D”, you collect 175% of the distance here as status and award miles. This results in 30,677 miles which triples to 92,032 status and award miles thanks to the promotion.

You can easily book your ticket on the Malaysia Airlines website. Make sure that all flights are operated by Malaysia Airlines and not as codeshare by JAL.

Frankfurt – Tokyo for EUR 1,069 for 12,420 award & status miles
Tokyo – Auckland for EUR 2,049 and 92,032 award & status miles

Result: EUR 3,118 and 104,452 miles

This is how you can book:

The best way to book a British Airways flight is directly at the British Airways website
The best way to book a Malaysia flight to Auckland is on the Malaysia Airlines website

The Malaysia Airlines Business Class product

Malaysia Airlines uses Business Class seats in its entire long-haul fleet, which can be converted into completely flat beds. The Airbus A350 and A330 are equipped with the latest generation Business Class seats, which offer direct access to the corridor from any seat. The catering also meets the highest standards and is in no way inferior to other airlines in the region, such as Singapore Airlines.

Bali Business Class strategy – Earn the oneworld Emerald status mainly in Business Class

Travel segment 1) Germany – Tokyo from EUR 339

You can fly to Tokyo on any flight. This is not relevant for the mileage calculation, which is why you can select the best offer in the desired travel class here. Below is a cheap example flight with Alitalia, found on most dates:

Alternatively, you can book a Business or First Class feeder on miles if you have already earned enough.

Travel 2) Tokyo – Bali for EUR 1,338 and 48,042 award & status miles

Next fly from Tokyo via Kuala Lumpur to Denpasar / Bali. You will earn 16,014 status and award miles, which is 48,042 miles thanks to the triple promo. Make sure that no codeshare segments, for example from JAL, intrude here.

Travel segment 3) Tokyo to London for EUR 1,623 and 52,236 award & status miles

Once you have arrived in Tokyo, you can return to London via Kuala Lumpur. The flight accumulates 17,412 miles which, with the triple promotion, results in a total of 52,236 miles in award and status miles. Remember that all flights must be operated by Malaysia Airlines.

Germany – Tokyo from 339 Euro
Tokyo – Bali for EUR 1,338 and 48,042 award & status miles
Tokyo to London for EUR 1,623 and 52,236 award & status miles

Result: EUR 3,300 for 100,278 award & status miles

This is how you can book:

You can book the feeder flight via Expedia, for example.
The best way to book Malaysia flights to Bali and Tokyo is on the Malaysia Airlines website.

Redemption options

Ideally, you now have at least 100,000 Enrich Miles. In the following section, we will show you how to redeem them.

Malaysia Enrich owns two award charts, one for travels that include Malaysia Airlines segments and one for travels that are booked purely with oneworld partner airlines or Emirates. Flights with partner airlines can only be booked through the Malaysia Airlines hotline; taxes and fees vary from airline to airline. Emirates can only offer Economy and Business Class flights.

This award chart is valid for flights with oneworld airlines or Emirates

This award chart applies to Malaysia Airlines or combinations of Malaysia Airlines with partner airlines.

This results in some interesting redemption options, but unfortunately only one way:

Fly with Emirates in Business Class to Dubai: 82,000 miles + EUR 402 taxes & fees – one way

Fly to Dubai from most European Emirates destinations and experience the exclusive bar in the A380. Normally, the flight would cost almost EUR 2,700. However, it is only a one-way flight. But you can book the return flight with any other miles you may have.

Fly with Emirates in Business Class from Milan to New York: 82.000 miles + EUR 253 taxes & fees – one way

Fly with British Airways in First Class

Fly with British Airways First Class to various destinations around the world. You will need 106,000 miles, but with most routing combinations you will earn slightly more than the 100,000 miles required for Platinum status. If it’s still not enough, you can easily earn more Enrich Miles online at the rate of EUR 25 per 1,000 miles. This means you can earn 6,000 more miles in the worst case for just EUR 150.