My post isn't so much a request for information or advice, rather, I'd like to share my route to elite status.
Vital Stats:
Currently resident in YYZ, formerly EIN/MST and before then BDA.
I have been an AA member since 1993 and a BAEC member from 2007.
leisure flyer till 2010. Business and leisure since then. Tickets booked 'on the cheap'
Major routes YYZ-LHR; YYZ-RDU; YYZ-AMS; AMS-LON
BA Membership Year begins/ends: May
2 Scenarios
My flights can be seen on ba97.com and below is an overview of what I would be credited to BA or AA's program for my
oneworld flying
BA
Code:
Membership Year Reset:
LHR-AMS in Club Europe on BA: 40
AMS-LGW in Club Europe on BA: 40
LGW-AMS in Club Europe on BA: 40
AMS-LHR in Club Europe on BA: 40
YYZ-LGA in Discount Economy on AA: 10
LGA-RDU in Discount Economy on AA: 10
RDU-LGA in Discount Economy on AA: 10
LGA-YYZ in Business (cash UG) on AA: 10
YYZ-JFK in ineligible fare bucket on AA: 0
JFK-BDA in ineligible fare bucket on AA: 0
BDA-JFK in Business on AA: 40
JFK - YYZ in Business on AA: 40
YYZ-LHR in World Traveller Plus on BA: 90
BA Bronze, oneworld Ruby
LHR-AMS in Euro Traveller on BA: 20
AMS-LHR in Euro Traveller on BA: 20
BA (Euro)Silver, oneworld Sapphire
LHR-YYZ in World Traveller Plus on BA: 90
Total: 500 Tier Points = BA EuroSilver
AA
Code:
RDU-LGA in Discount Economy on AA: 430 EQMiles / 215 EQPoints
LGA-YYZ in Disctount Economy on AA: 356 EQMiles / 178 EQPoints
LHR-AMS in Club Europe on BA: 229 EQMiles / 343.5 EQPoints
AMS-LGW in Club Europe on BA: 226 EQMiles / 339 EQPoints
LGW-AMS in Club Europe on BA: 226 EQMiles / 339 EQPoints
AMS-LHR in Club Europe on BA: 229 EQMiles / 343.5 EQPoints
YYZ-LGA in Discount Economy on AA: 356 EQMiles / 178 EQPoints
LGA-RDU in Discount Economy on AA: 430 EQMiles / 215 EQPoints
RDU-LGA in Discount Economy on AA: 430 EQMiles / 215 EQPoints
LGA-YYZ in Discount Economy on AA: 356 EQMiles / 178 EQPoints
YYZ-JFK in Discount Economy on AA: 365 EQMiles / 182.5 EQPoints
JFK-BDA in Discount Economy on AA: 761 EQMiles / 380.5 EQPoints
January 1 EQM/EQP reset (total for 2011: 4394 EQM / 3107 EQP)
BDA-JFK in Business on AA: 761 EQMiles / 380.5 EQPoints
JFK - YYZ in Business on AA: 365 EQMiles / 182.5 EQPoints
YYZ-LHR in World Traveller Plus on BA: 3553 EQMiles / 5329.5 EQPoints
LHR-AMS in Euro Traveller on BA: 229 EQMiles / 229 EQPoints
AMS-LHR in Euro Traveller on BA: 229 EQMiles / 229 EQPoints
LHR-YYZ in World Traveller Plus on BA: 3553 EQMiles / 5329.5 EQPoints
2012 running total: 8690 EQM / 11680 EQP
Conclusion: For my travel pattern: BA is the better choice bringing me up to
oneworld Sapphire until May 2013, whereas all the flying combined on AA wouldn't get me close to Ruby, even if the points didn't reset. I must add that I wouldn't be sapphire on BA if I didn't have a European Address. In essence though, I'd only be 100 points away from the 600 tier point threshold for sapphire.
Besides the obvious benefit of reaching a higher status tier, BA Silver also allows me to use AA's lounges domestically. A perk not extended to AA members of equivalent tier.
The drawback to BA's programme is the higher cost of reward travel. However, to get the most out of my miles I intend on using them for World Traveller Plus (Eremium Economy) to Club World (Business) Upgrades.