Originally Posted by
LTN Phobia
Maybe I find it easy because I didn't feel like I did a lot of flying when I first qualified - it was just a weekly domestic commute - approx 4 hours a week spent flying, so averaging 18 hours a month. Also that flying pattern would not have even earned me BAEC Silver and I tend to compare programs to BAEC.
BAEC is an odd one to compare against due to its oddity on eligable fares. Comparing an SC earning fare vs non TP earning fare, then it is bound to be easier to attain QF status than a BA one
Also, it is skewed on domestic travel since SC earning on domestic is different than international
If comparing short domestic QF eligable vs BA eligable then it is pretty similar
20SCs vs 20 TPs in economy or 40 SCs vs 40 TPs
Both require 700 to attain Sapphire status normally, however those with a European address to use can drop this down to 400
On longer flights < 2000 miles then QF starts getting ahead but on something like SYD-PER ( > 2000 miles )
would earn 50SCs vs 60 TPs in economy and 100SCs vs 120TPs in business
On international journeys, the effect can be more pronounced. Travelling LHR-SIN-SYD ( for example ) on an H class fare
This would earn discount SCs , so would earn 65SCs vs 120TPs.
Qf is not necessarily easier than BA, it does depend on the type of travel
The key differentiators are that QF does give SCs on all fares whilst BA normally only gives them on H and above plus with BA, to attain gold status you have to attain silver and then start again for gold.. that however doesn't make QF easier per se in general since from attaining silver a new starts and then there is 12 months to attain gold.
Getting 1200 TPs to attain BA Gold ( using a Europe address ) can be quite a bit easier than attaining 1400 SCs for QF Platinum using international economy travel in classes B & H which are oft used by corporate deals
Dave