Originally Posted by Soly

Hi guys, I am currently on BA gold. Have been with BA for quite some time. However recently I have started using some of the miles accumulated and noticed that I can barely get any availability and they charge a truck load of miles and on top of that you pay serious $$!!

I usually fly business 90% of the time and the remainder is on first class.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
(upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply: upgrades, priority, baggage allowance. Good award redemption (burn rate) and availability.

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
(<25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles - <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: about 50k, 90% paid in J and the remainder in F.

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: Mostly discounted business if viable otherwise J regular fare. Discounted First when available.

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Yes, I choose whatever airlines I want and I choose class of travel. Travel is 80% for work and the rest is holidays with family with award redemption most of the time.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: Twice a year BEY-LHR-PHX or BEY-LHR-SFO or BEY-LHR-IAD in club world. Then 4 or 5 times between BEY and Europe on Club as well. Once or twice From Bey to SYD and another city in far east on Club or F. Lastly 3 or 4 trips from BEY to DXB all Business.

(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: BEY

(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
(AA Executive Platinum, QF Gold, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)
Reply: Gold on BA.

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: BA for transatlantic and Europe, AA for US domestic. Any of the Gulf airlines and Qantas to far east/Australia.

I would like to know if switching to AA I can get more upgrade availably to F when flying transatlantic and cheaper and more available redemption on award flights.

Thanks for your help.