Saudia Airlines is the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia and a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance. It operates domestic and international flights to more than 85 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.
See our list of the best credit card bonuses here.
Alfursan is Saudia’s frequent flyer program. Members from the United States can rack up on points by transferring from partner loyalty programs, flying Saudia or with any of its airline partners, and more. Redemptions options, however, are limited to award flights and upgrades. Keep reading for all the best ways to earn and burn Alfursan Miles.
| Airline Alliance | SkyTeam |
| Hubs | Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam |
| U.S. Destinations | Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C. |
| U.S. Credit Cards | None |
| Transfer Partners | Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy |
| Redemption Options | Flights, upgrades |
Alfursan Elite Status
When you join Alfursan, you automatically become a Blue member. Above Blue are two status tiers: Silver and Gold. To move up a tier, you need to collect a certain amount of Status Miles or fly a certain number of international sectors in one calendar year:
| STATUS | STATUS MILES | SECTORS |
| Silver | 25,000 | 20 |
| Gold | 50,000 | 40 |
Once you unlock a tier, you have that status for the end of the following calendar year, and you’ll enjoy the following benefits:
| SILVER | GOLD | |
| Miles bonus | 25% | 50% |
| Rapid check-in counter | Business | First |
| Priority wait listing & airport standby | Higher | Highest |
| Seat selection | Yes | Yes |
| Additional baggage allowance | 1 piece | 1 piece |
| Priority baggage | Business | First |
| Lounge access | Yes | Yes |
| Priority boarding | Higher | Highest |
| Priority call handling | Yes | Yes |
Earning Alfursan Miles
Compared to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, Delta SkyMiles and other frequent flyer programs based in the United States, earning Alfursan Miles is not an easy task for Americans. Here are all the ways you can rack up on Alfursan Miles:
Transfer Partners
The best way to earn Alfursan Miles is through transfer partners. Marriott Bonvoy members can convert their points to Alfursan Miles at a three to one ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott Points they transfer.
| Personal Cards | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card |
| Business Cards | Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card |
MARRIOTT BONVOY BRILLIANT™ AMERICAN EXPRESS® CARD
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card has an offer for 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. We value these 75k points at around $675.
This card earns 6 points per $1 at hotels participating in the Marriott BonvoyTM program and 3 points at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. You’ll receive 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
You’ll get a Free Night Award (redemption level up to 50,000 points) every account anniversary year, and up to $300 in statement credits each year for eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott BonvoyTM program. Resort fees may apply. Other benefits include unlimited airport lounge visits with the Priority Pass Select membership and no foreign transaction fees.
This premium card comes with an Annual Fee of $450. See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.
MARRIOTT BONVOY BOUNDLESS® CREDIT CARD
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card from Chase has an offer for 3 Free Nights after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
New to the card, you will earn 3x Bonvoy points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. The card is also offering an Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 spent.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card earns 17 points for every $1 spent at over 7,000+ participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. You’ll receive 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
You’ll get a Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every account anniversary year and automatic Silver Elite Status. Additionally, you’ll receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
This card has no foreign transaction fees and the annual fee is $95.
MARRIOTT BONVOY BOLD® CREDIT CARD
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card has an offer for 30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 within the first 3 months. We value these 30k points at around $270.
This card earns 14 points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains) will earn 2 points per $1. All other purchases will earn 1 point per $1.
You’ll receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year, qualifying you for Silver Elite status.
There are no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee.
MARRIOTT BONVOY BUSINESS™ AMERICAN EXPRESS® CARD
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card has a limited time offer for 75,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. We value these 75k points to be worth around $675.
This card earns 6 points per $1 at participating hotels in the Marriott BonvoyTM program. It’s 4 points per $1 at U.S. restaurants and U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, and on U.S. purchases for shipping. And 2 points per $1 on all other purchases.
Every year after your account anniversary you’ll get 1 free night award. You can earn an additional free night award after spending $60,000 in purchases in 1 calendar year.
There are no foreign transaction fees and the annual fee is $125. See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.
Hilton Honors members can also convert their points to Alfursan Miles, but at a less attractive rate of 10,000 points to 1,000 miles.
Flights
Earn Alfursan Miles when you fly with Saudia and the following airline partners:
- Aeroflot
- Aerolineas Argentinas
- AeroMexico
- Air Europa
- Air France
- Alitalia
- China Airlines
- China Eastern
- Czech Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- Garuda Indonesia
- Kenya Airways
- KLM
- Korean Air
- MEA Airlines
- TAROM
- Vietnam Airlines
- Xiamen Airlines
Other Ways
Other ways that U.S. residents can earn Alfursan Miles include:
- Booking accommodations with hotel partners, such as Hilton, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Shangri-La, Marriott and Radisson.
- Booking accommodations with Rocketmiles, Kaligo and more.
- Booking car rentals with Avis, Budget, Hertz, Sixt and more.
There are more options to earn Alfursan Miles, but they’re not relevant to those living in the United States.
Redeeming Alfursan Miles
Most Alfursan members use their miles for award flights with Saudia and partner airlines, which covers over 1,150 destinations in 175 countries. Award fare depends on flight zone and booking class. See the miles redemption table here.
The only other option is to redeem for a one-class upgrade on domestic and international Saudia flights.
Alfursan Miles Expiration
Alfursan Miles are valid for three years from the end of the calendar year in which they were earned. Miles do not extend with earn and burn activity, so use them within three years or lose them.
Alfursan Tips & Tricks
Family Member Program. This miles-pooling benefit is extremely generous. It allows the head of a household to pool miles with up to eight other members, including not only immediate relatives and children over two, but also private drivers and housemaids.
Booking considerations. Please note, Alfursan does not allow any stopovers. One-way awards cost 60% of roundtrip flights, and change fees are low, just $27 for domestic itineraries and $67 for international.
Sweet spots. The following routes are great deals for your Alfursan Miles.
| FROM | TO | CLASS | MILES |
| East Coast | Europe | Economy | 50,000 |
| Hawaii | Australasia | Business | 80,000 |
| United States | South America | Business | 90,000 |
Bottom Line
There are plenty of other frequent flyer programs that offer more value than Saudia Airlines Alfursan. Membership could be useful if you often fly within the Middle East or if you have loads of Marriott Bonvoy points. But, keep in mind, your redemption options are limited to award flights and upgrades only.
For a frequent flyer program with more ways to redeem, check out Emirates Skywards.
READ MORE: SEE THE BEST BANK BONUSES HERE AND THE BEST INVESTING BONUSES HERE.
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