Originally Posted by
ffly
Thank you guv1976!
Iberia seems quite good from what I see - the 7.500 points (7.500 EUR eligible spend, right?) seem better manageable for me than the 75.000 miles with AA (since I can book more expensive Y+ for example with no questions asked). Also domestic lounge access in the US is a valid point since I usually do have a good number domestic flights and enjoy the lounge access instead of waiting at the gate.
The April 1 to March qualifying year should work out as well since after the Jan/Feb/March trip the next international run will be end of April/May. I'll just have to plan the first trip of the year with *A then.
Just a couple of pointers in there on the AA program that might help in addition to the additional info that guv1976 provided on IB.
When you say you have a good number of domestic flights in the US, are these on the same ticket as your international trips, or are they independent? You'd only lack lounge access on independent tickets not part of an international trip. Otherwise you'd have Flagship lounge access when in conjunction with a long haul, or Admirals Club on international North America, and upper South America. (with foreign FFP status you'd have Flagship Lounge access always if in an airport that has one).
Something else nice and I believe unique to the AAdvantage program is the status bonus on all OW partners. So as you gain higher status it becomes easier to maintain status from that bonus, as well as elevate to the next status. Platinum Pro in AAdvantage is achieved at only 125,000 LP, which might sound high for the first year, but could be possible in your second year and gives you OW Emerald (First class lounge access).
AA also is revenue based for some partners (AA, BA, IB, FJ, WY), and I see what looks to be a lot of BA and / or AA segments in that sample trip you posted, so the price of those tickets will factor in. Since you're BKK based WY is also a great option to Europe with often good prices in C but unfortunately 'good prices' in C would mean poor earnings in AA.
One last one that I'll throw out there, but I haven't looked at it for PY earnings, is AY's program. We get a lot of people flying RTW (around the world) tickets on here and want to maximize from those and it has become a popular one for business class RTWs for somewhat 'easy' Emerald status. I think it'd be worth running the calculator there too to see where you might fall. Just like IB's program, the Avios earned are movable to all other Avios programs via BA.