Originally Posted by lpdds
Wondering if anyone has opinions about which of the OneWorld members would serve me best as an NYC based flier?
The obvious choice is American, but wondering if might be easier to make higher status with another member.
For example, on Swiss, for a non-resident it only takes 70K miles to qualify for their highest (Gold) status which is (I think) is equivalent to EX Plat with AA.
Would I still qualify for unlimited upgrades when travelling AA domestic?
My flight profile:
Business, usually full-fare economy (ugh)
2 per quarter to Finland (Finnair obviously)
Once every six months to Beijing, Singapore, Sao Paulo
Minimal domestic travel
Private, cheapest available
2/3 trips per annum usual international
As you can see, I'm already AA plat but with the segment requirement could be difficult given mostly int'l segments.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Given you're in NY by default AA is best for you.
Note that only AA FFers can get domestic AA upgrades (although OW elites have been known to score op-ups).
You may consider QF - given your travel to Beijing and Singapore, the comfort of BA J over the atlantic - on QF you get full credit whereas on AA you don't. The other benefit of non-AA FF program is access to ACs (once you're elite) on domestic travel - although you don't do that much of it.
Outside of the AAdv Plat/Gold challenges, (at least in my case) I find QF much easier to gain top tier status on - but that is mainly J travel.
Given all your factors I would stick with AAdv - means you have to fly AA over the atlantic, but in WHY that's arguably a better proposition than BA WHY. Given the new changes in AAdv, full-WHY gets you J/F q-points, so elite status achievement has gotten easier for you.