BA v AA frequent flyer program - which is better?
Mar 17, 2015, 10:08 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA
Programs: BA Gold, Starwood Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 16
BA v AA frequent flyer program - which is better?
Hi everyone- this is my first post on FT.
I've been BA Gold or Silver for the last 10+ years based out of Dublin/London, but have just accepted a transfer to the U.S., based out of Charlotte, NC (which is a US Airways/American hub).
I was keen to hear people's views on whether I should stick with BAEC, or move to American's FFP when I move over?
The key differences I can see are that BA Silver/Gold get lounge access on all Oneworld flights, whereas AA requires a paid membership; on the flipside, AA has an upgrade programme, which BA doesn't...
Thoughts welcome- thank you in advance!
I've been BA Gold or Silver for the last 10+ years based out of Dublin/London, but have just accepted a transfer to the U.S., based out of Charlotte, NC (which is a US Airways/American hub).
I was keen to hear people's views on whether I should stick with BAEC, or move to American's FFP when I move over?
The key differences I can see are that BA Silver/Gold get lounge access on all Oneworld flights, whereas AA requires a paid membership; on the flipside, AA has an upgrade programme, which BA doesn't...
Thoughts welcome- thank you in advance!
Mar 17, 2015, 10:15 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA LTGold; LH Senator; HHGold; Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 1,370
I think you should take a long term view - where do you see yourself in a few years?
I also think its best to belong to the scheme of the airline you do the majority of your travels with. AA is pretty good at giving BA emerald most of the benefits, but it isn't quite the same.
I think the basic tradeoff is:
BA for lounge access in the US and potentially building towards LTG
AA for domestic upgrades and cheaper mileage redemptions
Also AA wont status match, so you will need to build status up with them, if you think AA is a better bet.
PS welcome to the board
I also think its best to belong to the scheme of the airline you do the majority of your travels with. AA is pretty good at giving BA emerald most of the benefits, but it isn't quite the same.
I think the basic tradeoff is:
BA for lounge access in the US and potentially building towards LTG
AA for domestic upgrades and cheaper mileage redemptions
Also AA wont status match, so you will need to build status up with them, if you think AA is a better bet.
PS welcome to the board
Mar 17, 2015, 10:22 am
#3
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,804
Welcome to Flyertalk TomG1981
And I hope it will be the first of many. So welcome to Flyertalk TomG1981, welcome to the BA forum. You pose an interesting question and I hope you will find the answers helpful. And congratulations on your new role.
I would agree that it's a good idea to consider the 5 year horizon on this one, and in particular what really matters to you (e.g. is it lounges, or upgrades within the USA, or RFS, or lower cost redemptions) - which will typically push you in particular directions. Note that one stop US/AA redemptions on BAEC remain very good value for money and more flexible than the local schemes.
I guess a lot may depend on how strong your ties to Europe will be? If you think you need a decent pile of Avios to make trips there, or non stops within the USA, then that suggests BAEC. If you fear long distance trips in Main Cabin from one end of the USA to the other, then that may well push you to AA.
I would agree that it's a good idea to consider the 5 year horizon on this one, and in particular what really matters to you (e.g. is it lounges, or upgrades within the USA, or RFS, or lower cost redemptions) - which will typically push you in particular directions. Note that one stop US/AA redemptions on BAEC remain very good value for money and more flexible than the local schemes.
I guess a lot may depend on how strong your ties to Europe will be? If you think you need a decent pile of Avios to make trips there, or non stops within the USA, then that suggests BAEC. If you fear long distance trips in Main Cabin from one end of the USA to the other, then that may well push you to AA.
Mar 17, 2015, 10:32 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: BA Gold, TG Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 8,665
One factor to consider - how far away is Lifetime Gold given the Op has been Gold/Silver for the past 10 years.
If Lifetime Gold is still far away, then the response is dependant on how the Op uses the scheme.
If the Op intends to undertake a lot of domestic US travel but is only willing to pay economy fare, then AA is the way to go. AA upgrades for free on domestic flights but you can use a limited number upgrade vouchers for international sectors.
If the Op intends to undertake paid transatlantic flights but in economy, then AA is the way to go.
If the Op intends to undertake transatlantic flights using miles/Avios but avoiding paying the BA redemption surcharge, then AA is still the way to go.
If the Op is travelling in business class fares on transatlantic/international routes, then BA is the better option to gain status quickly for the year.
If Lifetime Gold is still far away, then the response is dependant on how the Op uses the scheme.
If the Op intends to undertake a lot of domestic US travel but is only willing to pay economy fare, then AA is the way to go. AA upgrades for free on domestic flights but you can use a limited number upgrade vouchers for international sectors.
If the Op intends to undertake paid transatlantic flights but in economy, then AA is the way to go.
If the Op intends to undertake transatlantic flights using miles/Avios but avoiding paying the BA redemption surcharge, then AA is still the way to go.
If the Op is travelling in business class fares on transatlantic/international routes, then BA is the better option to gain status quickly for the year.
Mar 17, 2015, 10:57 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: not far from MUC
Posts: 6,620
I'd suggest working out how much you value 1 Avios vs 1 AA mile.
Personally I value AA miles at at least twice as highly as Avios, plus the redemption chart looks much better value*, plus the cash component of many AA redemptions is peanuts (compared to BA)
* for the moment!
If I could trade all my Avios 1:1 for AA miles I'd do it in a heartbeat. If I could wind the clock back, I'd have credited a lot more flights to AA rather than BAEC.
Personally I value AA miles at at least twice as highly as Avios, plus the redemption chart looks much better value*, plus the cash component of many AA redemptions is peanuts (compared to BA)
* for the moment!
If I could trade all my Avios 1:1 for AA miles I'd do it in a heartbeat. If I could wind the clock back, I'd have credited a lot more flights to AA rather than BAEC.
Mar 17, 2015, 11:22 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bahamas
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 958
I get better value from my Avios on AA domestic flights than using AA miles.
Short-haul I like Avios. No penalty for close-in booking also.
I would happily swap my AA miles for Avios if it was permitted.
Short-haul I like Avios. No penalty for close-in booking also.
I would happily swap my AA miles for Avios if it was permitted.
Mar 17, 2015, 11:40 am
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Read more about that here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...atinum-20.html
Mar 17, 2015, 11:54 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: not far from MUC
Posts: 6,620
...and it's not exactly expensive or hard to fulfil AA's Plat challenge, which is 10k EQPs. One BA WT+ l/h return could be enough.
Mar 17, 2015, 11:56 am
#9
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA EXP
Posts: 1,140
I'd suggest working out how much you value 1 Avios vs 1 AA mile.
Personally I value AA miles at at least twice as highly as Avios, plus the redemption chart looks much better value*, plus the cash component of many AA redemptions is peanuts (compared to BA)
* for the moment!
If I could trade all my Avios 1:1 for AA miles I'd do it in a heartbeat. If I could wind the clock back, I'd have credited a lot more flights to AA rather than BAEC.
Personally I value AA miles at at least twice as highly as Avios, plus the redemption chart looks much better value*, plus the cash component of many AA redemptions is peanuts (compared to BA)
* for the moment!
If I could trade all my Avios 1:1 for AA miles I'd do it in a heartbeat. If I could wind the clock back, I'd have credited a lot more flights to AA rather than BAEC.
Mar 17, 2015, 5:31 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,227
It's an interesting question as I have also moved to the US (living in Las Vegas) and although I will retain Gold this year (which will take me through to the end of 2016) I'm wondering whether to start crediting flights to my AA account.
One of the big advantages of retaining Gold is the ability to access the AA Flagship lounges even when flying on domestic flights within the US, a benefit that is denied to AA's own Executive Platinum card holders.
One of the big advantages of retaining Gold is the ability to access the AA Flagship lounges even when flying on domestic flights within the US, a benefit that is denied to AA's own Executive Platinum card holders.
Mar 17, 2015, 6:52 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA LTGold; LH Senator; HHGold; Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 1,370
I'd suggest working out how much you value 1 Avios vs 1 AA mile.
Personally I value AA miles at at least twice as highly as Avios, plus the redemption chart looks much better value*, plus the cash component of many AA redemptions is peanuts (compared to BA)
* for the moment!
If I could trade all my Avios 1:1 for AA miles I'd do it in a heartbeat. If I could wind the clock back, I'd have credited a lot more flights to AA rather than BAEC.
Personally I value AA miles at at least twice as highly as Avios, plus the redemption chart looks much better value*, plus the cash component of many AA redemptions is peanuts (compared to BA)
* for the moment!
If I could trade all my Avios 1:1 for AA miles I'd do it in a heartbeat. If I could wind the clock back, I'd have credited a lot more flights to AA rather than BAEC.
Mar 17, 2015, 6:55 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, UA Plat, Bonvoy Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,777
Another plus for AA: they have Anytime Awards as an option. 2x the points but you get last seat availability, and it is nice to be able to have the option of getting a seat regardless of capacity controls. As others have pointed out, on AA metal there are no surcharges so this is another point in AA's favor.
Personally I think it is totally lopsided in favor of AA. I accumulate Avios with my Chase Visa and credit all my flying to AA.
Personally I think it is totally lopsided in favor of AA. I accumulate Avios with my Chase Visa and credit all my flying to AA.
Mar 18, 2015, 2:54 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,018
What are you objectives from a ffp?
BA vs AA is a common question
BA is good for short haul awards
AA is good for long haul awards
Some of these are ~2013
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...-not-join.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...tive-club.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...etirement.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...-programs.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...help-here.html
BA vs AA is a common question
BA is good for short haul awards
AA is good for long haul awards
Some of these are ~2013
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...-not-join.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...tive-club.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...etirement.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...-programs.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...help-here.html
Mar 18, 2015, 3:15 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP, 1MM
Posts: 643
With regard to domestic US lounge access generally, this is often rightly advanced as an advantage of being BA silver or gold over AA platinum or executive platinum. But, access to the AA (and QF) lounges can be purchased with cash or AA miles. The price varies according to status, but for an AA platinum it would be $450 for the first year and reduces for renewals. There have often been promotions offering discounts of $50. Paid membership is more advantageous than status based access as it enables the member to admit up to 6 guests and there is no requirement to be departing on a oneworld flight (or any flight).
So, I think in many cases AA will be the way to go as probably the biggest benefit of BA can be bettered by spending £300 or so.