Deciding on a Oneworld Frequent Flyer Program? Help is here.
Feb 11, 2013, 1:05 pm
#286
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
For economy flying, AA is probably easiest. Although with some Instant Upgrade AA fares (as said above), QF Platinum can be had for $1k-$2k.
What is your normal flying pattern? Regular routes, class, etc.
AA is better for long haul economy fliers, BA/QF may be better if flying in higher classes.
BA and QF use zones with fixed Tier Points/Status Credits. The tables are different and the levels are different. Regular Premium Economy flying is better on BA, mid range flights better on QF.
But then a lot of perks on OneWorld are for the specific carrier. AA has System Wide Upgrades, so flying on AA mostly you would be better off going for AA Emerald.
What is your normal flying pattern? Regular routes, class, etc.
AA is better for long haul economy fliers, BA/QF may be better if flying in higher classes.
BA and QF use zones with fixed Tier Points/Status Credits. The tables are different and the levels are different. Regular Premium Economy flying is better on BA, mid range flights better on QF.
But then a lot of perks on OneWorld are for the specific carrier. AA has System Wide Upgrades, so flying on AA mostly you would be better off going for AA Emerald.
Feb 16, 2013, 12:28 pm
#288
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Chicago, USA
Programs: TK Elite ...and blue, lots of blue...
Posts: 746
(1) What is your home airport?
Brussels (BRU)
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class?
in the past 25K in Y and 20K in C, in the near future probably more
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Discounted Y and discounted C.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Can mostly choose airline but not class (see explanation below). Travel 90% for work.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Intra-Europe, Intercontinental (North and South America, Asia)
(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it?
Miles&More FTL (*A Silver)
(7) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Lounge access, upgrade, redemptions
(8) Preferred Airlines
Prefer *A, hope to make it SEN this year.
As I cannot always justify choosing a much more expensive flight on *A, I will need to make some intercontinental trips on OneWorld.
Thanks for your suggestions..
Brussels (BRU)
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class?
in the past 25K in Y and 20K in C, in the near future probably more
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Discounted Y and discounted C.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Can mostly choose airline but not class (see explanation below). Travel 90% for work.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Intra-Europe, Intercontinental (North and South America, Asia)
(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it?
Miles&More FTL (*A Silver)
(7) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Lounge access, upgrade, redemptions
(8) Preferred Airlines
Prefer *A, hope to make it SEN this year.
As I cannot always justify choosing a much more expensive flight on *A, I will need to make some intercontinental trips on OneWorld.
Thanks for your suggestions..
Feb 26, 2013, 3:55 pm
#289
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Zurich
Programs: BA GGL, TK*G EL, KL P ELPL, ex AB P, ex LH/LX Sen, HHonors D4L, Bonvoy P
Posts: 1,647
(1) What is your home airport?
Brussels (BRU)
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class?
in the past 25K in Y and 20K in C, in the near future probably more
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Discounted Y and discounted C.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Can mostly choose airline but not class (see explanation below). Travel 90% for work.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Intra-Europe, Intercontinental (North and South America, Asia)
(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it?
Miles&More FTL (*A Silver)
(7) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Lounge access, upgrade, redemptions
(8) Preferred Airlines
Prefer *A, hope to make it SEN this year.
As I cannot always justify choosing a much more expensive flight on *A, I will need to make some intercontinental trips on OneWorld.
Thanks for your suggestions..
Brussels (BRU)
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class?
in the past 25K in Y and 20K in C, in the near future probably more
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Discounted Y and discounted C.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Can mostly choose airline but not class (see explanation below). Travel 90% for work.
(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Intra-Europe, Intercontinental (North and South America, Asia)
(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it?
Miles&More FTL (*A Silver)
(7) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Lounge access, upgrade, redemptions
(8) Preferred Airlines
Prefer *A, hope to make it SEN this year.
As I cannot always justify choosing a much more expensive flight on *A, I will need to make some intercontinental trips on OneWorld.
Thanks for your suggestions..
Feb 28, 2013, 6:34 am
#291
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London
Posts: 22
advantage vs ba executive
Sorry it has been asked many times before but I am having real difficulties deciding which of the two programmes to use. I currently have a household account with BA exec (got bumped down to Bronze 
I am based in London. My year looks approx. like this:
3 transatlantic flights to the US (economy)
10 flights US domestic (economy)
2 flights to asia (sometimes business, sometimes economy)
1 flight to Australia (business)
20-30 flights within EU (economy)
I like to travel BA.
Rest of family (2 people): 1 flight to Asia each (economy) and under 10 flights each within Europe (economy).
Which programme would be best for me to maximise value? My priorities would be to be able to upgrade to business with miles (or use miles to purchase flights) and access to a lounge.
I find it very difficult to understand the Aadvantage programme and found BA exec always very user-friendly and the website is a pleasure to navigate. However it seems much easier to attain decent status with aadvantage and get transatlantic upgrades. Is this right?
Should I continue to stick with BA in that case?
I am based in London. My year looks approx. like this:
3 transatlantic flights to the US (economy)
10 flights US domestic (economy)
2 flights to asia (sometimes business, sometimes economy)
1 flight to Australia (business)
20-30 flights within EU (economy)
I like to travel BA.
Rest of family (2 people): 1 flight to Asia each (economy) and under 10 flights each within Europe (economy).
Which programme would be best for me to maximise value? My priorities would be to be able to upgrade to business with miles (or use miles to purchase flights) and access to a lounge.
I find it very difficult to understand the Aadvantage programme and found BA exec always very user-friendly and the website is a pleasure to navigate. However it seems much easier to attain decent status with aadvantage and get transatlantic upgrades. Is this right?
Should I continue to stick with BA in that case?
Feb 28, 2013, 6:51 am
#292
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
I would suggest you first read back through your own thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...e-dilemma.html
And this is better off in here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
AA Miles can only upgrade BA flights booked in Y or B economy, or W for premium economy (which are the most expensive fares).
Similarly, BA Avios can only upgrade the highest AA economy fares.
AA has system wide upgrades for AA metal.
You can only upgrade 1 cabin, the best value is booking Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) and upgrade to Business (Club World) subject to availability. This only requires 50% of the economy miles, so TATL it can be as low as 12,500 avios.
To get lounge access, you need to be OneWorld Sapphire or Emerald (AA Platinum or BA Silver). With AA this is easier to achieve flying economy, however you don't get US Domestic lounge access.
Pros for BA are the upgrades from WTP to CW, Reward Flight Saver European flights, and Lounge access for US domestic
Pros for AA are better earn/burn rates, systemwide upgrades (if you would achieve that status)
And this is better off in here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
AA Miles can only upgrade BA flights booked in Y or B economy, or W for premium economy (which are the most expensive fares).
Similarly, BA Avios can only upgrade the highest AA economy fares.
AA has system wide upgrades for AA metal.
You can only upgrade 1 cabin, the best value is booking Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) and upgrade to Business (Club World) subject to availability. This only requires 50% of the economy miles, so TATL it can be as low as 12,500 avios.
To get lounge access, you need to be OneWorld Sapphire or Emerald (AA Platinum or BA Silver). With AA this is easier to achieve flying economy, however you don't get US Domestic lounge access.
Pros for BA are the upgrades from WTP to CW, Reward Flight Saver European flights, and Lounge access for US domestic
Pros for AA are better earn/burn rates, systemwide upgrades (if you would achieve that status)
Feb 28, 2013, 7:14 am
#293
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London
Posts: 22
"I would suggest you first read back through your own thread:"
I did, many times. And I still can't figure it out. I don't really want to leave BA exec but can't find a rational argument not to. As I fly mostly economy it seems it would be better to leave BA.
I did, many times. And I still can't figure it out. I don't really want to leave BA exec but can't find a rational argument not to. As I fly mostly economy it seems it would be better to leave BA.
Last edited by jewingy; Feb 28, 2013 at 7:33 am
Feb 28, 2013, 7:40 am
#294
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
Looking at your flying, if all of it is on OW carriers then you should make BA Gold or AA EXP.
Each program has its own Pros and Cons, only you can really decide which is more appropriate for you. There is no straightforward answer. If you are able to book Premium Economy fares then BAEC may be better for the ability to upgrade to CW. Else, AA may be better with the System Wide Upgrades (although you'd need to fly AA metal TATL).
Each program has its own Pros and Cons, only you can really decide which is more appropriate for you. There is no straightforward answer. If you are able to book Premium Economy fares then BAEC may be better for the ability to upgrade to CW. Else, AA may be better with the System Wide Upgrades (although you'd need to fly AA metal TATL).
Feb 28, 2013, 8:10 am
#295
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London
Posts: 22
Each program has its own Pros and Cons, only you can really decide which is more appropriate for you. There is no straightforward answer. If you are able to book Premium Economy fares then BAEC may be better for the ability to upgrade to CW. Else, AA may be better with the System Wide Upgrades (although you'd need to fly AA metal TATL).
The other good thing is the household account with BA (I presume there is no equivalent with AA?) which enables sharing avios easily. (Though I guess you can just use AA miles to purchase a ticket for someone else?)
However I am always amazed how much in taxes you have to pay when you purchase BA tickets with miles (something that's supposed to be 'free'). That and the availability for reward flights (non-existant with BA). I presume this is where AA really shines.
Feb 28, 2013, 8:22 am
#296
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
Thanks. Think will continue with BA. I can't stand AA's economy (if I'd have to stick with AA TATL).
The other good thing is the household account with BA (I presume there is no equivalent with AA?) which enables sharing avios easily. (Though I guess you can just use AA miles to purchase a ticket for someone else?)
However I am always amazed how much in taxes you have to pay when you purchase BA tickets with miles (something that's supposed to be 'free'). That and the availability for reward flights (non-existant with BA). I presume this is where AA really shines.
The other good thing is the household account with BA (I presume there is no equivalent with AA?) which enables sharing avios easily. (Though I guess you can just use AA miles to purchase a ticket for someone else?)
However I am always amazed how much in taxes you have to pay when you purchase BA tickets with miles (something that's supposed to be 'free'). That and the availability for reward flights (non-existant with BA). I presume this is where AA really shines.
BA does not charge higher taxes, but does charge a fuel surcharge (YQ), but taxes/charges are low for CX and AA domestic flights among others. AA charges YQ for TATL now I believe.
For OW partner airlines, AA and BA see the same availability.
AAdvantage members have access to AAnytime awards for AA flights at double the mileage for any flight.
Otherwise BAEC has the same availability on AA (MileSAAver awards).
Feb 28, 2013, 10:46 am
#297
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Duchy of Milan
Programs: BA Gold, TK Elite, AZ CFP
Posts: 1,857
Sorry it has been asked many times before but I am having real difficulties deciding which of the two programmes to use. I currently have a household account with BA exec (got bumped down to Bronze
I am based in London. My year looks approx. like this:
3 transatlantic flights to the US (economy)
10 flights US domestic (economy)
2 flights to asia (sometimes business, sometimes economy)
1 flight to Australia (business)
20-30 flights within EU (economy)
I like to travel BA.
Rest of family (2 people): 1 flight to Asia each (economy) and under 10 flights each within Europe (economy).
Which programme would be best for me to maximise value? My priorities would be to be able to upgrade to business with miles (or use miles to purchase flights) and access to a lounge.
I find it very difficult to understand the Aadvantage programme and found BA exec always very user-friendly and the website is a pleasure to navigate. However it seems much easier to attain decent status with aadvantage and get transatlantic upgrades. Is this right?
Should I continue to stick with BA in that case?
I am based in London. My year looks approx. like this:
3 transatlantic flights to the US (economy)
10 flights US domestic (economy)
2 flights to asia (sometimes business, sometimes economy)
1 flight to Australia (business)
20-30 flights within EU (economy)
I like to travel BA.
Rest of family (2 people): 1 flight to Asia each (economy) and under 10 flights each within Europe (economy).
Which programme would be best for me to maximise value? My priorities would be to be able to upgrade to business with miles (or use miles to purchase flights) and access to a lounge.
I find it very difficult to understand the Aadvantage programme and found BA exec always very user-friendly and the website is a pleasure to navigate. However it seems much easier to attain decent status with aadvantage and get transatlantic upgrades. Is this right?
Should I continue to stick with BA in that case?
If you fly AA domestic you'll have to pay for lounge access if you're aadvantage member.
You should be able to reach Gold status with BA, I'd suggest you to book your trip to Australia separately if you fly BA (under the same booking but separate flights, use Multy-City on BA.com) as you'll earn more TP.
You will be offered also CE online upgrades, so if you'll be close to gold threshold you may decide to upgrade for like 80£.
I think 1500 TPs are easier to get than 100.000 miles
Feb 28, 2013, 12:48 pm
#299
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: London
Posts: 22
Definitely BA!
If you fly AA domestic you'll have to pay for lounge access if you're aadvantage member.
You should be able to reach Gold status with BA, I'd suggest you to book your trip to Australia separately if you fly BA (under the same booking but separate flights, use Multy-City on BA.com) as you'll earn more TP.
You will be offered also CE online upgrades, so if you'll be close to gold threshold you may decide to upgrade for like 80£.
I think 1500 TPs are easier to get than 100.000 miles
If you fly AA domestic you'll have to pay for lounge access if you're aadvantage member.
You should be able to reach Gold status with BA, I'd suggest you to book your trip to Australia separately if you fly BA (under the same booking but separate flights, use Multy-City on BA.com) as you'll earn more TP.
You will be offered also CE online upgrades, so if you'll be close to gold threshold you may decide to upgrade for like 80£.
I think 1500 TPs are easier to get than 100.000 miles
CE upgrades: actually I always wanted to know: do the tier points from these count as CE or as economy? (as £80 is quite cheap compared to what one normally would pay).
Multi-city: would the price be different if I did it like that?
Feb 28, 2013, 2:58 pm
#300
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Duchy of Milan
Programs: BA Gold, TK Elite, AZ CFP
Posts: 1,857
Thanks! I don't know if I will be able to reach gold; it seems so distant..
CE upgrades: actually I always wanted to know: do the tier points from these count as CE or as economy? (as £80 is quite cheap compared to what one normally would pay).
Multi-city: would the price be different if I did it like that?
CE upgrades: actually I always wanted to know: do the tier points from these count as CE or as economy? (as £80 is quite cheap compared to what one normally would pay).
Multi-city: would the price be different if I did it like that?
Multy-city: I did it twice and the price wasn't different or changed very little, flying Club from LHR to AUS return you get 600 TPs.
You said you fly twice to Asia in club so would make again around 600 TPs, plus transatlantic and many short segments you'll easily hit 1500 TPs