Originally Posted by
Rivarix
Having said that I may do what you seem to be doing which is going for CX GO? So on US domestic flights it is crediting to AA and access lounges with CX GO. I've never done it before so hopefully it will work cause that's really the best combo.
Originally Posted by
Rivarix
As everyone's travel pattern is different i suggest do the following:
1) determine whether you can attain/retain OWS equivalent status in either FFP.
2) determine the difference in miles that you would get w/ AA vs. AM. In terms of spending the miles, generally speaking, these days AA and AM require somewhat similar miles (unless you have specific redemption in mind in which case you should include that in your calculation).
3) determine which is worth more to you - additional miles w/ AA vs. access to flagship lounges when flying US domestic on AA metal.
It's interesting as I'm going the opposite way as you did, switching from AA to CX. I'm actually only half-based in the US and will be relocating to HK permanently soon, so I figure switching to MPC is a sooner-or-later thing. (Well, super lucky and grateful that amidst these times CX was kind enough to grant me GO, or else my thinking might be completely different). At this moment I can agree with
Nicc HK that yes, I can just be EXP but forfeit the short-haul CX Y earnings from work, but it's probably not going to be sustainable in the future to (sufficiently) make it up by long haul J on my own dime in the long run. But right now, since I fly a lot of long haul J, CX DM is also 'sustainable'/not a lot harder for me, and I especially view DM1600 as infinitely superior because the CX equivalent of SWUs are going to be so much easier to use compared to AA (which will soon be 'enhanced' to PEY->J...BOO)
For HKG based EXPs, I must admit that the AA HK sales team is quite a great bunch of people and I really had a lot of fun at some of the events they organized (ie the HKG-LAX launch party at the W Hotel ballroom which was phenomenal).
I did think about RDMs. I am indeed so happy that AA keeps showering me with so much RDMs (each CX TPAC sector - 20k, a broken seat - 8k etc) but I am not sure if I am really that hungry for their RDMs. Firstly as you said the price for CX awards is nowadays more or less so equivalent with CX's, and the routing rules are quite restrictive in some sense. Once in a while I grAAb, but there are often times when for those CX F awards, as long as the game is on, I think it's 'justifiable' 'buying' the award straight away using AS/Starpoints for like what...$1.5k USD. So again usage of those RDMs is not that aplenty for me. Things like EY F don't appeal to me, perhaps
percysmith and
kaka will think I'm the loser as I really only fly with CX if possible and have no appeal towards other airlines much (having flown QR J/F, JL F etc this year, still, to say.) And finally, it is actually the fact that AA RDMs remain easy to obtain that I don't feel like I'm 'losing the whole plot' moving to MPC. (for example, Citi's endless 60k mailers, Barclaycard pay the AF and get 40k right away which I believe is annually churnable. So for me being half-US-based, these 'tricks' will take care of the 'loss' of RDM from not crediting to AADV.)
Another thing of parting with AA EXP, unlimited domestic upgrades. Yes it will sting a bit. But I just visited the new JFK FL using my CX GOstatus, coming OFF from a domestic flight (the AAngels sure are lenient with access rules). The food is even better than The Wing J. So why bother with AA domestic F cr-p i.e. the grilled chicken or greasy pastas that make me sick? (OT and they can't even guarantee pretzel rolls and sundaes all the time...
). Especially when with a +1, god knows how much harder it will be to clear those upgrades in the future, with CKs and high-spend EXPs beating me. I used to do very well at upgrades as I can book a bit ahead of most other passengers, but I can't imagine what lies ahead as I dwindle down with my LTM EQDs having moved away from AA to CX. But losing domestic F is not the end of the world as the seat is just marginally more comfy, but most important as a CX GO now/DM in the future (and with a companion!) I can stock up at the FLs (and get free, arguably better food onboard when flying AA domestic). Only helps that my bases/frequent ports are all included - ORD, LAX, JFK, and the rest can be made up with AMEX Centurion lounges. At LAX I can even eat at QF J(F in the future when I hit DM), as well as the JFK CX lounge if it ever materializes.
So since I have requalified EXP until January 2019, what I will do is in this interim period continue to use my OWE benefits while making my way to DM, and burn off the rest of my SWUs. Citi/Barclays/SPG will take care of the RDMs down the road!