Thank you all for the answers! It's been very helpful.
Originally Posted by
clubeurope
CX doesn't require you to fly their metal to gain the next tier, but that comes at a cost. Like BA, CX uses a Tier Point System (or in this case, Club Points). You are awarded less tier points flying on non-CX OW partners, and in some cases, it could be significant. For instance, flying BA F LHR-HKG earns less CPs than flying CX discounted J.
Also, I should add that they charge USD100 for membership.
I must then run it through my Excel calculator looking what can I achieve for my planned flights for 2018. Flying mainly in discounted J on QR (i.e. R-class) I will get OWE on BAEC in October starting from zero now. I must compare it to CX, but guessing from what you say I'm not gonna find my luck there...
---edit---
So I did the calculations with this calculator:
https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_...ub-points.html and it won't be the program of my choice. However it's still better than AY+. By the time I reach OWE at BAEC I would be here 20 points short of OWS.... However, it's written:
"
The chart below indicates the number of club points required within a membership year to renew or upgrade tiers within a membership year. In addition to these points, the member must fly at least one eligible sector on Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon."
---end of edit---
Originally Posted by
pbd456
AA does not
I know, but I really cannot understand their EQD / EQM system.... I rarely fly AA / or on AA ticket, so I wouldn't then get any EQD's.... I really regret they don't have an official miles calculator as BA, AY or QR have which would allow me to type in the routing, the carrier and booking class.... I was really looking for AA program but gave up at the stage of EQD.
Originally Posted by
clubeurope
To add, as far as I know, AY+ does not require flying on Finnair metal as well
That I know, but when I calculated my planned flights for 2018, by the time I would be OWE at BAEC I would be only half-way between OWR and OWS in AY+.... They're not to generous with tier points tbh.
So I guess I would stick with the BAEC. Opening account tomorrow would make me OWE in October, and by the end of the year I should be half-way to GGL, so I guess it's worth trying. Then I will have to change my habits and instead of flying to Asia on QR will need to switch to BA to make use of the benefits. CCR is really tempting. However I really prefer the inflight product of QR, especially now with Q Suites....
Thanks all for the contribution and help :-) I really appreciate!!