Originally Posted by
phol
Look at the airlines in them.
OW has consistently good airlines throughout the range, and certainly no Egyptairs or Air Chinas who you would actively avoid.
Awwhh, come on, don't be so harsh on Air China! Air China is actually pretty decent! But I do agree that OW in general has better airlines. Furthermore, OW Emerald > *A Gold. I think that extra tier makes a real difference.
TBH though, I would quite like some small (maybe terrible) airlines to join OW so I can earn easy Sapphire/ Emerald (à la A3!). Mainly because OW's earn rates are ridiculously stingy all round - esp. for discount economy fliers.