FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Deciding on a Oneworld Frequent Flyer Program? Help is here.

Mar 13, 2024 | 10:11 am

#1819

dvs7310

Join Date: Dec 2006

Location: NRT / HND

Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold, Former UA 1K

Posts: 6,365

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayzng

Hi,
As I just confirmed my xCAI DONE3, I would like to get some opinion on how to optimize with FFP.
I am current Enrich Platinum, equivalent OWE, which I am not quite happy with the miles conversion, thus, I am considering if I should take this opportunity to switch.
Here's my segment, SP and miles that I use QR/CX website to calculate.
Is my understanding correct that it's easier to gain status/miles in QR compare to CX?

Questions
For members asking for information, to help people to assist you, can you please provide:
(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 and tickets redemption
(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: exclude this RTW trip, yearly between 20k-30k, mostly in SEA (economy), with 1 trip each to US/EU/Australia (Business)
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply: within SEA - Economy, SEA -> US/EU/Australia Business
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: 60 work : 40 pleasure
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)
Reply: MH within SEA
(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)
Reply: KUL
(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: Enrich Platinum under Malaysia Airlines, equivalent to OWE
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: Preferred QR or CX

I don't think you have a wrong answer with either, depending on how you fly. Both are somewhat similar in terms of redemption based on distance. If you transit DOH a lot then QR status would be better but only if you can achieve Platinum. Avios have an advantage that they can be shifted easily between QR, BA, IB, and EI, maybe soon AY too but they don't have sexy redemption rates on long haul flights. Nor does CX for that matter. If you want long haul flight redemptions in OneWorld then AA and AS tend to be better but might be harder to gain status in, especially the first year in AA.

I know it's not a perfect answer, there's never a perfect answer for these questions without knowing your flight history for the last 2 years and next 2 years.

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