Originally Posted by
kangaroo route
First world problem here but hoping the wisdom on this board can help. I’m a Oneworld flyer but will be flying SQ paid First (F RBD) RT SYD-SIN-FRA-JFK in August - approx $20k AUD=18k SGD. Was longtime PPS through work travel from 2002-23 but since leaving that role dropped through the tiers and currently KF*S - and that will be gone by date of flight. My partner also travelling on this trip has no status on *A either and has the same question. I realise this itinerary will fall short of PPS as unlikely to do other SQ travel this year, so looking for best way I can gain *Gold ideally with a carrier whose miles don’t expire on a fixed term. In the past through the PPS double dipping I had *G on BD, LH, NZ, A3 and then TK, but these carriers either disappeared or made it much harder with own metal requirements.
So question is which programs earn *G from this flying 28k miles in first on SQ metal and of them, which have the best F class earning and most valuable/longest expiring redemption miles? I think I could get *G on SQ itself, but the miles do expire there and so looking for alternatives. I also do have multiple oneworld status (QF CL, LTP, BA Gold, AA Plat) if carriers are open to status matches, but can’t really see the point if flying would gain *G anyway.
(1) What is your home airport? SYD
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? Highest cabin available - plus an Aone5 (First class oneworld RTW) each year.
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 100k+ but mostly on oneworld due to company policy and existing status.
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? Not on *A
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Mainly IRROP handling and Value of RDMs/access to redemption inventory, but I would find *G helpful for things like intra europe/US shorthauls.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often SYD-LHR, SYD-LAX, SYD-NZ, many domestic Aus, a few intra europe and US shorthauls
(7) Preferred Airlines I love the SQ F product which is why I am booking this ticket rather my usual QF, EK, BA, AA First etc.
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? These days 30% work, 70% pleasure. I have considered the *A RTW product but there are not enough carriers with F class to really make it work, plus rules a bit more restrictive than OW. But happy to take advice on that too.
While not my usual style to recommend NZ, but in this case you could consider having NZ as you are based in SYD?
The SYD-SIN-(FRA)-JFK routing in F would give you NZ*G for a year. It helps with the occasional intra NZ flights as it is typically Y only and with NZ*G you get lounge plus space+ seating. Plus there are some sweet spots for *A redemption using NZ, as a lot of intra-EU and intra-US flights can be redeemed at low Airpoints $ rates. Some AU-Asia flights can also be quite good, for example MEL-BKK in J is 1000 Airpoints Dollar only)