Originally Posted by
campbell0816
We will soon be relocating from the US to Australia. In the past when I've traveled there I've accrued Qantas miles to my AAdvantage account...so I'm currently at Platinum status. I've called AAdvantage to inquire on business class seats, on Qantas, for family to visit us. They explained that seats opened to award travel are rare and only released on a limited basis.
My question is two-fold: 1) Should I change to Qantas, and if so is it possible to transfer my status?; 2) Are business class award seats (LAX-BNE) easier to obtain if I'm with Qantas rather than a Oneworld partner?
Thanks to anyone who has already been through this process...
If you have AA status already, I would suggest that AA would probably be a better scheme but just need to avoid ineligable booking classes.
Status wise, you will need to earn the requisite status credits from scratch
If you can get the award seat as a Qantas member then it is available to an AA member. The only caveat is that QF allows members to book 355 days in advance whilst AA only permits 330. If wanting to make bookings for 11 months+ in advance then QF will have some advantage
You will also find that redemption costs often significantly higher usingg QF points to get to USA in business/1st
Redeeeming in business will cost 62,500 AA points 1 way from anywhere in Australia to anywhere in USA. This would give you business class to USA plus 1st class on any domestic 3 class flights if travelling beyond LAX
Redeeming using QF points will cost 96,000 points if journey is no more than 8400 miles , 112,000 up to 9600 miles and 128,000 if > 9600 miles. Also, for travel within USA on 2 class AA services, travel would be in economy since no business is offered
Dave