Originally Posted by
guv1976
UALOneKPlus , how important are mileage-award tickets to you? What would your intended redemptions be (domestic? international? Economy Class or premium cabins?)
Also, what are your travel patterns on your paid (cash) tickets? If you have long-haul (intercontinental) paid
Business Class travel, you might find it relatively easy to get oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status in a foreign FFP, which would give you lounge access when flying AA domestically, but would not get you upgrades on AA, and would not earn you AAdvantage miles -- which are probably among the most valuable FFP currencies.
Plusses and minuses to each FFP. You first need to decide what you value most in an FFP, and then figure out which program can most quickly get you the things you value.
I believe my award travel redemptions would mostly be towards premium economy, and if I earn enough miles, would certainly love to use it on business or first class, although I'm not planning on it.
My long haul flights are usually paid PE class, not business class, unfortunately.
The use of OW lounges with a foreign carrier while domestic in the US sounds appealing, but I might also consider getting an AA credit card or AS credit card that offers lounge access (ie admirals club). Domestic lounges are not a high priority for me, as I usually don't mind the regular concourse experience during mostly short layovers (if any) for domestic travel. International lounges for layovers of 4+ hours are much more appealing to me, so that's where OWE lounge benefits are most interesting.
Your advice has been very helpful in getting me to think about these key aspects of FFPs...thank you.