Originally Posted by PaulSEA1
I live in SEA and can purchase mostly business class tickets to Asia on CX. I like to spend miles to Europe in J/F.
I'm currently nearing my 4MM anniversary on AA and am EXP with AA.
My biggest problem with AA is that I cannot earn or spend miles on the BA non-stop SEA-LHR. I would always take that flight to Europe if I could. Instead I go through YVR which is a hassle.
My question to this forum is should I switch to the CX or BA programs? When I looked at this in the past I found that AA's program is much more generous than the others and I'd sacrifice a lot to switch.
Note that I do not fly AA domestically very often. The domestic upgrades are not very valuable to me. VIP upgrades are also not very useful since I hate connecting via ORD or DFW. I give them all away to family. Double miles for PLT/EXP is valuable to me.
If I was a BA or CX emerald would I get to use the Admirals club even if flying AA domestic only? Can anyone clarify the BA tier points system? Is FewMiles's page still accurate?
I look forward to your advice. Thanks!
Or, of course, you could move to Vancouver. Makes CX and BA lots more convenient.
I share your pain. With the closure of the AC here and AA's focus on midcons for
everything, it's hard not to think about alternatives.
If you fly in international J a lot, what about Asiamiles? You can MFU on other people's metal (incl. AA and BA); get one-way upgrades, upgrade from Y to Y+ on BA... Check the accrual and award tables/calculators on
asiamiles.com and see if your travel would be good or bad. You're Life Plat on AA anyway, so if it doesn't work out you won't lose your mileage bonus. But it depends on your overall travel patterns, work and leisure.
BA Tier pts
Code:
Y J F
< 2000 mi 20 40 60
> 2000 mi 60 120 180
Silver (Sapphire) = 600, Gold (Emerald) = 1500.
I don't personally see the benefit of the BAEC if you're paying for J as it is, but YMMV.