Go for 150K or a second program
Apr 24, 17, 11:57 pm
#31
Moderator, Amtrak & Spirit Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: EWR :rolleyes:
Programs: AC 50K, AS MVP, AA Plat Pro, DL Plat, UA Silver, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,579
Apr 25, 17, 1:45 pm
#32
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Diamond; IHG Diamond; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,701
This is the all-encompassing FT document on earning BA points and status.
The "4 flights" requirement appears to be a little less restrictive than that. But, yes, flights that are both AA-marketed and AA-operated don't meet it.
The "4 flights" requirement appears to be a little less restrictive than that. But, yes, flights that are both AA-marketed and AA-operated don't meet it.
Apr 25, 17, 8:14 pm
#33
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
Similar dilemma here, but I'm resolved not to fly much AA at all, with only about $800 in spend on AA for the 12k+ EQD's this year. I'll be at 137k EQM's, so very close to the 150k. Both my GF and I will be/are EXP, so that's 8 eVP's between us, meaning we will need to do at least 2 RT's on AA (usually HKG-LAX) by 2/1/19. Considered going for BA GGL but passed as BA is as terrible if not more so than AA. Plus only fly a few domestic segments so AC access is not worth the hassle. Can always get day passes from BE.
With 3 to 4 BKK-US RT's per year, I'm finding that just buying business makes the most sense and status be damned. I will always have LT PLT on AA to fall back on. I'd miss the CX FC lounges especially the Haven, so I can avoid eating AA's J meal on the way to LAX. Plus, in 2019 will/should go over 5MM lifetime so there's another 4 eVP's to deal with. Stocked up on AA RDM's last year and with this year's changes, especially flying OW partners in business, it has been lucrative, so enough powder to deal with the devaluation.
As I have an OS business class trip SIN-BKK-VIE-LAX later this year, I'm looking for a possible status match to a Star airline (I would have tried UA 1k match/challenge but I'm UA silver from a hotel program benefit, definitely not flying, and after the examples of poor CS on UA, passed. I just don't want to fly that much UA and I've been there and done that some time ago.) Looked at TG, since I'm living in Bangkok, but I never fly them as their pricing is terrible and there are better options out of BKK. Maybe A3? Suggestions?
With 3 to 4 BKK-US RT's per year, I'm finding that just buying business makes the most sense and status be damned. I will always have LT PLT on AA to fall back on. I'd miss the CX FC lounges especially the Haven, so I can avoid eating AA's J meal on the way to LAX. Plus, in 2019 will/should go over 5MM lifetime so there's another 4 eVP's to deal with. Stocked up on AA RDM's last year and with this year's changes, especially flying OW partners in business, it has been lucrative, so enough powder to deal with the devaluation.
As I have an OS business class trip SIN-BKK-VIE-LAX later this year, I'm looking for a possible status match to a Star airline (I would have tried UA 1k match/challenge but I'm UA silver from a hotel program benefit, definitely not flying, and after the examples of poor CS on UA, passed. I just don't want to fly that much UA and I've been there and done that some time ago.) Looked at TG, since I'm living in Bangkok, but I never fly them as their pricing is terrible and there are better options out of BKK. Maybe A3? Suggestions?
Apr 25, 17, 10:34 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, National EE
Posts: 1,165
Asiana has a star gold status that requires just 40k miles. I haven't looked into the details but it seems appealing from a quick scan.
Apr 26, 17, 7:09 am
#36
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Programs: AA EXP, UA GLD, Bonvoy Titan, HH Dia, WoH Exp
Posts: 2,651
It depends on what you value (e.g. domestic upgrades, extra legroom seats in economy, international lounge access), but having status that provides lounge access in another alliance is helpful if you travel a lot internationally. It gives you more flexibility in booking flights and connections.
Apr 26, 17, 8:36 am
#37
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,733
Apr 26, 17, 8:49 am
#38
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: CX Diamond, AA CK (quit 2018), Starwood Platinum, National EXC Elite
Posts: 283
Apr 26, 17, 10:34 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CT
Programs: DL DM 2MM, MR LTT, Hilton D, Hertz PC. National Emerald Exec, UA Silver(thanks to Marriott)
Posts: 2,026
There are other ways to get status on other airlines. If you are SPG Plat you get some perks with DL. I am a UA Silver for the last 3 yrs because of Marriott Plat and I haven't stepped on a UA plane in 15 yrs.
Apr 26, 17, 3:57 pm
#41
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SoCal
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors LTDia, Marriott Plat
Posts: 639
