Originally Posted by
Ed Size
Maybe somebody can help me, I will have a couple of flights with oneworld carriers in the near future (BA &AY). These are my first flights for years which are not on *A, so I do know nothing about OW loyalty programs. What do you think will fit me best? I only fly paid J class, mainly to Asia and the US. And it looks like I will have at least 3/4 flights on AY C till Mar 2010 (they fares are unbeatable at the moment). Any suggestions?
Most carriers require 4 segments on their own equipment in order to attain elite status, so it sounds like your best bet will by AY's program since most of your long-distance flying will be with them.
If you live in Europe and not the UK or N. America, BA offers reduced requirements to reach elite status - three or four long-haul trips in J would get you to BA Silver (Oneworld Sapphire) and half way to Gold (Emerald) - the highest elite tier. However you'd need to fit 4 flights on BA metal into each quest for status - 4 for Silver, another 4 for Gold, but the benefits would be pretty good.
Likewise AA has a challenge program to make Platinum (OW Sapphire) that requires using AA flight nos. to accumulate 10,000 EQP within 3 months. If you're sticking with AY you won't have the chance to use AA codes (unless you do some premium-cabin flying within N. America) so while the AA program has some great redemption features, that might not work either.
Do you live in Europe or elsewhere?