Should I change airline alliance after requalifying?
I live in Dallas and have been AA Exec Plat for quite a few years. I currently take 1-2 internal, business class trips per month. I requalified Exec Plat back in April or May. I am now considering changing to Delta or United for the remainder of the year for the international business class trips so I qualify for one of their top tier levels. I don't see much disadvantage as I usually have to connect on my international trips anyway. The only real disadvantage I see is that my miles will be spread across two programs. I don't see any other real benefits on staying with AA as there are no longer any further milestone bonuses.
Has anyone done this? What has been your experience? Would you recommend Delta or United for international business class? |
In fact there are SWU at some milestones beyond 100k.
But here's the thing: you’ll achieve top status by the end of the year on another airline, but you won’t have the benefits of top status until you achieve it vs using your existing EP on AA. I’d refrain from doing that unless the other airline or its alliance served airports I go to that AA / oneworld doesn’t get me to easily. |
I wouldn't trade direct flights from DFW on AA for flights with connections on other carriers. Getting status on other carriers, but not using regularly seems a waste.
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Fly on American, but credit your flights to British Airways. Obtain Gold status with them.
The lounge access once you have BA Gold is incredible. |
No need to live as a kettle! Get a status match first so that you have the high level benefits right away. I’d love to have status on two alliances so that I could take the better flight without worrying about not having perks. |
Never understood the idea of gaining status then not using it, not to say won’t fly other airlines if it meets my needs but to intentional push to other airlines - where you won’t use the benifits you’ve earned always confused me |
I'm in a similar boat being about 5k EQM ($20k+ EQD) short of requalifying for EP. I've flown a couple J business trips on Delta and United when they were best option over AA. I understand why people say "why qualify if you're then not going to use the status". With status matches it does make more sense and I do consider that with the higher status (on Delta & United) the award miles I earn by flying is higher than w/o. Also, if there are future trips I want to take on non-AA airlines I will have miles to use for an award ticket.
Good example is we recently went on the new Delta route JFK > Azores (AA doesn't fly there) and without Delta miles, I had to transfer AMEX points to Delta. Had I had premiere status and flown a couple of J flights, I'd likely have enough Delta points |
Since spend is now an upgrade priority factor within a given AA status, if you're not talking huge numbers in qualifying on another airline, you might want to focus on AA to help stay ahead of the EXP upgrade pack.
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But if you were so inclined, Delta unless you have a very specific reason to fly with United.
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Originally Posted by bryman16
(Post 29912171)
.... I currently take 1-2 internal, business class trips per month.
<snip> for the remainder of the year for the international business class trips <snip> What has been your experience? Would you recommend Delta or United for international business class? What do you expect on the other side? Especially if flying paid business class? FFP of airline XX vs YY vs ZZ is a common topic . Another AA vs UA thread----> https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...switch-ua.html |
Originally Posted by ryan182
(Post 29912796)
Never understood the idea of gaining status then not using it, not to say won’t fly other airlines if it meets my needs but to intentional push to other airlines - where you won’t use the benifits you’ve earned always confused me |
There is an advantage if you are in 2 different markets, I use he *A for united , air NZ and air Canada but I use he oneworld for Qantas and Qatar my time is is split between 2 markets ( Australia and Canada) so the advantage is worth the hassle, if you are in one market and have the perks , use them as to not start from scratch |
Originally Posted by ryan182
(Post 29912796)
Never understood the idea of gaining status then not using it, not to say won’t fly other airlines if it meets my needs but to intentional push to other airlines - where you won’t use the benifits you’ve earned always confused me.
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I recently was considering joining CX's MPC as my market has been Asia for the past year. I just recently opted to take their nonstop flight from SFO-HKG as a test run as HKG has been my primary spot for my trips (growing tired of going to/from LAX and flying back up the coast of CA on each leg on AA metal).
But I think it would be best to stay with AA as I see no difference being a (near) top elite with them vs. EXP. The OWE status doors open just the same as far as I can tell. CX in-flight team treated me very nice too. Now's the time to just enjoy the benefits of my hard work within the EXP rankings when looking to upgrade vs. enjoying my exit row favorite seat. |
Originally Posted by Zacnlinc
(Post 29914484)
But I think it would be best to stay with AA as I see no difference being a (near) top elite with them vs. EXP. The OWE status doors open just the same as far as I can tell.
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