Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - New Year: Anyone defect from CX MPC to AAdvantage or other partner programme?

Hello Everyone,

Still being in Q1 of the New Year, I'd like to know if any CX MPC members on this board switched to AAdvantage or other partner programmes. I'd also be interested in hearing from those who credit their CX flights to programs other than AsiaMiles & AAdvantage.

I flew about 40,000 miles last year on CX. Having never flown AA, I credited my miles to CX, as I'd like to be recognized by the airline I primarily fly as their own member. I am moving to London this fall and will be doing a lot of travel within Europe, probably a few flights to HKG, and 1-2 flights to LAX yearly. I was thinking of crediting all my flights to MPC, but would be interested in knowing what other FTers would recommend?

I can't say that I'm not tempted by AAdvantage's elite-tier bonuses and the possibility of lifetime membership but it is nice to know that CX MPC members are considered first for operational upgrades. I was upgraded twice from Y to J within a five month period.

Also, do program rules or benefits for AsiaMiles/MPC vary by region? I am assuming I would probably receive more promotional offers having my account registered under my UK address, but is there any advantage with leaving it registered under my US address?


Kind Regards,
around the world

Please read the threads started by Gold Member under CX and AA. The issue I raise is whether it is much easier to qualify for Emerald (CX Diamond) or with another OW airline, AA for example. CX from scratch you need 4 sectors + 30K + 60K +120K = 200K +/-
With AA bang 100K in one year and you are it. Is there a FF sage out there with an analysis?
PS
Bad news from CX is the 4 "qualifying" sectors could be long sectors. I made the mistake and found HKG-AKL reduced to effectively no mileage count, just one of the 4 qualifying sectors? Did you suffer this misfortune?

[This message has been edited by Gold Member (edited Mar 07, 2004).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gold Member:
Please read the threads started by Gold Member under CX and AA.</font>

Hello there,
I actually read your posts, which got me thinking if I should make the switch as well. I was told by a Marco Polo representative, that if I fly 60,000 miles or 120,000 miles during my membership year, I can call the service desk and request to be upgraded to Gold or Diamond respectively. My Club counter is currently at 0 as I just renewed Silver membership. I was told the same would apply for a Green card member.



[This message has been edited by around the world (edited Mar 07, 2004).]

Perhaps similar lines of thought.
My feeling is to go for AA as I can achieve Exec Platinum in one year. This gives me OW F lounge access except in USA, where the lounges are not much anyway. However the definite upgrades transPacific are something to contemplate. In the meantime I will keep CX at Green card status so I get past 1m miles£¬as I am about 90% there.

With AA there is the 1m life membership mark, so I will aim for it then only switch back to CX if they bring back some serious trophy for being more than 1m FF.

After achieving AA 1m I will then mix more with CX, though making certain I keep AA Exec Platinum. Considering I fly a lot in China I cannot abandon Asia Miles, but unless China Eastern joins OW I think AA100k/CX the rest is the best annual formula. Dragonair does not have China internal flights other than its ex HKG routes, so whether they join OW or not is not critical.

It's interesting to read all of your remarks.

I am A EXP with almost 8 million miles, so I will be AA Platinum for life.

I currently get about 180,000 miles a year, flying mostly for pleasure two or three 1st class RTW with my wife. We were just talking about maybe switching after 100K Aa miles to another program. Maybe she will try and get QF and I'd try and get CX or BA.

But, with the new changes in AA, that is free upgrades withing the US, Canada and Mexico, etc., we will always stay EXP. We often fly Hawaii - Mainland US, and this now saves us $360 each way per person.

So I figure AA EXP saves me $7,000+ per year, not counting the 8 VIP upgrades, and I can almost pay for a 1st class RTW with that which will just about qualify me again!

I know it's very different for those of you living outside of the US, but not if you travel a lot in the US.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gold Member:
With AA there is the 1m life membership mark, so I will aim for it then only switch back to CX if they bring back some serious trophy for being more than 1m FF.</font>

AA also has a lifetime 2MM life membership mark, which will keep you at the Sapphire level and Wing/Pier Business Class lounges for Y Class tixs.