Originally Posted by
aRcane305
Hello all, after travelling more frequently than usual I am reconsidering my FF program choices. Based in Melbourne and starting to earn points on Amex Explorer card.
...
Eyeing CX and QF as my biggest options, but with a 3:1 transfer rate to CX on the horizon it looks like it might be better to get QF status and fly CX.
not familiar with amex au, but according to
this website, QF is only a transfer partner for points earned with amex plat or centurion, so an explorer card wont be eligible. in addition, i have never heard of any airlines that count transferred points towards earning status. for QF, their status is earned based on status credits, which is a different currency from their miles, so the transfer ratio has no/less influence on your choice of FFP to earn status
Originally Posted by
aRcane305
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
I value priority check-in and boarding regardless of cabin class. Generally I try to sit near the front of the cabin and always on the aisle. Standby/Upgrades are also highly valued. Award redemption is not as important as the first few items.
I also value no points expiry and ease of earning in Australia. In which case I think I am leaning towards holding 2 FFP programs--one for point earning towards J redemptions, and one for status benefits. More on that below.
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Generally 45k miles a year, 20+ flights in Y.
...
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Status matched into Vietnam Airlines Platinum (Skyteam Elite Plus). Won't be able to maintain it this year, but may be able to status match again.Flown them 10 times this year, from MEL-HAN/SGN-CAN/HKG. Always been bumped to Premium Economy and once Business. I only had to buy cheapest economy fare everytime, very appreciated
Air New Zealand Silver. Won't be able to maintain it this year either.
1) my own view is VN has been good for you. i havent heard being upgraded 10/10 when purchasing the cheapest fare class. maybe it is because those flights are often not filled and they dont have that many elite members as their FFP isnt as popular. in any case, if you were to start flying more popular options like CX, i would expect the upgrade chances to decrease significantly as the planes will be more filled and there are a lot more elite members to compete for the same spots
2) based on your flying milage, you can likely only hit status with 1 FFP. if you are flying different alliances, you may not get status in either, which seems like what happened to you this year