AA or BA?
Aug 18, 2016, 11:28 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 189
AA or BA?
A lot of my travel is on the new AUS <-> LHR nonstop. I am wondering if I am better off on the BA executive club program using that when I fly AA or if I'd be better off sticking to the AA advantage program? Any thoughts opinions?
Aug 18, 2016, 11:34 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, TG Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 8,665
A lot of my travel is on the new AUS <-> LHR.
Discounted fare or full fare
Do you already have status with AA?
Do you prefer to have lounge access (even flying domestic in the US)?
Do you give importance to paying for fuel surcharges when redeeming flights?
All personal facts that would drive the AA/BA question.
Having said that with the New revised AA programe, I think it is a big disadvantage to flying a OW partner airline rather than AA when crediting to AA since AA cannot determine your spend.
Last edited by KenJohn; Aug 18, 2016 at 11:52 am
Aug 18, 2016, 11:50 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: British Airways Gold
Posts: 2,636
There are lots of moving parts but IMO it depends on two big factors:
1) AA program is now revenue based whereas BA is still 'miles' based (for now). Therefore the cost and class of your tickets has an influence.
2) Do you live in the UK or US? AAvantage awards on AA metal are surcharge free (so good for US resident), but redeeming AA miles for BA shorthaul out of London is not particularly good value compared to BAEC with reward flight saver (so BA better for a UK resident).
1) AA program is now revenue based whereas BA is still 'miles' based (for now). Therefore the cost and class of your tickets has an influence.
2) Do you live in the UK or US? AAvantage awards on AA metal are surcharge free (so good for US resident), but redeeming AA miles for BA shorthaul out of London is not particularly good value compared to BAEC with reward flight saver (so BA better for a UK resident).
Aug 18, 2016, 7:10 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
[There were several threads by potential BA refugees to AA (after the BA ffp changes some time ago]
As above what are your objectives with a ffp?
For many USA based frequent flyers (free) upgrades are a high priority. Non USA based airline do not give out upgrades (free or miles/cash) like is common (and expected) practice with USA airlines.
Look here:= http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
With the majority of ffp's benefits are reducing and ff mile award/upgrade costs are going up.
Upgrades are now harder to get.
The halcyon days of frequent flyer programs a decade ago are gone: just accept reality.
The grass in not always greener on the other side
Aug 19, 2016, 2:55 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,145
One minor [but critical] point ... as I expect you already know, BA Silver/Gold will require you to have flown 4 eligible sectors on BA [BA metal or code-share] in the membership year.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/25948897-post4.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/25948897-post4.html