Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Getting OneWorld Perks while also earning Asia Miles

Scenario:

You buy a discount economy Cathay Pacific ticket, and you have elite status with one of the OneWorld Partners (e.g. American). You realize that American will not give you mileage credit because the booking class doesn't meet Y, B, or H. However you still want to take advantage of the OneWorld perks (e.g. lounge, priority check-in, priority boarding, etc.) without sacrificing the Asia Miles.

Can you get the best out of both worlds?

Yes you should be able to have the "perks." You are flying a marketed and operated flight of a OneWorld airline; you should have lounge access with your elite card together with your boarding pass.

Since you are based in DCA, you probably dont need CX-based status. But if you feel your fare class doesnt give you appropriate AA qualifying miles or points, you still might be able to get the full amount on CX's FFP. Just keep in mind that the redemption seats available on AA flights using Asia Miles are harder to come by when compared to Plat or ExPlat members using Advantage Miles.

Yes. Put your AsiaMiles number in the reservation. Show your AA Plat card to get into the lounge, at the check-in and at boarding. No problem.

Yes. Put your AsiaMiles number in the reservation. Show your AA Plat card to get into the lounge, at the check-in and at boarding. No problem.

Or do the reverse .. initially... if you want to be considered for a possible op-up if flight is oversold..

Put your AA Plat number in the reservation. At gate, if by that time you have not been upgraded, then you won't be.. then ask that the agent change your FFP to Asiamiles.

Thanks for the advice. If I don't have or forgot my elite card on my trip, and I just have the FF number, that should be ok too?

Thanks for the advice. If I don't have or forgot my elite card on my trip, and I just have the FF number, that should be ok too?

Yes, but some airline agents will deny you certain elite benefits if they don't see the card. Lounge access is the one elite benefit that seems most routinely denied if the status-bearing card is absent.

Yes, but some airline agents will deny you certain elite benefits if they don't see the card. Lounge access is the one elite benefit that seems most routinely denied if the status-bearing card is absent.

Are we talking about BA here?

No, on CX it's fine. Your status should show up on the boarding pass, and that is sufficient to warrant a lounge entry, and besides you will have a lounge invite printed by CX anyway.

That is why it is better to have your FF # on your reservation. Otherwise CX cannot print out a lounge invitation.

Are we talking about BA here?

No, on CX it's fine. Your status should show up on the boarding pass, and that is sufficient to warrant a lounge entry, and besides you will have a lounge invite printed by CX anyway.

That is why it is better to have your FF # on your reservation. Otherwise CX cannot print out a lounge invitation.

Mostly BA, yes. Sometimes LAN and Aer Lingus, but nowhere near as routinely as with BA.

Its an interesting question for frequent flyers. Lounge access for me is a true perk of flying too often.

I have found that as a MPC Gold I must ask for an invitation to BA lounges, as they seem to 'forget' unless travelling business class, except in HK where BA are very good.

Never a problem on American or Qantas where it is easy to just present the card.

And anyway why are BA so bad when updating mileage to MPC members.......................