He actually won't get either *in* the US and will get lounge access with AA when flying international because he won't come anywhere even close to QF Gold. Qantas won't get him access anywhere.

You are correct about the 70%, but if you book the AA codeshare you do get 100%. AA gives 500 minimum on any oneworld flight. Maybe with the exception of IB, but I haven't ever flown them.

The platinum bonus, as far as I know, is based solely on the number of miles flown. Someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I think you should receive 170% on Qantas and 200% on American. I can say that if you fly J or F, you only get the bonus equal to miles flown.

I also still feel that AA miles are worth more if you can get over not flying BA transatlantic. For example, if you wanted to go on holiday from dallas to athens in first to bask in the mediterranian sun, it's going to cost you 125k on AA and 200k on QF. Dallas to Sydney will cost you 275k in first on QF and 135k on AAdvantage. Dallas to Bali on AA/CX will be 300k on QF or 135k on AA. And so on. QF becomes more valuable if you live on the east coast and only want to go to Europe, since it's effectively the same price as AA and you can take British Airways.

Just my two cents. But obviously everyone's opinion will vary.

[This message has been edited by Darren (edited 05-06-2003).]