My parents are retiring to NZ close to some of my family in around a year's time. They have been 'frequent' positive revenue travellers in the past mainly on Southwest but have never really coordinated their travel to take advantage of miles collection or achieving status of any form. Other trips, including 3 RTW's have been off the back of my collection of miles on BA.

Given their move and plans to travel to the US around three times a year and once or twice a year to Europe, I am encouraging them to join a program. If only to save some of my miles in getting them from one set of grandchildren to the next.

I'm looking for recommendations on programs for them. Specifically, most flight will depart from AKL. My Mom will fly 3 times per year to the mid-atlantic in the US, almost certainly in discounted economy, joined minimally once a year with my Father. They will also fly together at least once a year to Europe. In between will be the occasional trip to Australia for a long weekend and I can also imagine explorations to SE Asia every once in a while.

As an added bit of input, they are planning several trips from ABQ to somewhere on the mid-atlantic over the next 7-9 months before moving, which could serve to 'prime the pump' so to say.

Obviously, a OW carrier is an option, but is Qantas or AA better? A *A carrier is also an option but I am not as familiar with these programs.

Idea's, suggestions, options?

Thanks

3 trips to the East Coast of the US and 2 trips to Europe is roughly 100,000 miles/yr. In other words, top tier status as long as the program recognizes rock bottom fares for full elite status.

For flights across the Pacific to the US, the carrier options are pretty much limited to Qantas (OneWorld) and Air New Zealand.

Personally I'd probably join United's Mileage Plus. At 100,000 miles they'll be 1K flyers and earn Systemwide Upgrades for international upgrades (some years good on any fare). That could help them fly AKL-SYD and then SYD-LAX/SFO on UA metal, upgraded to C. And they'll have no problem upgrading their domestic US segments.. (and will have gobs of leftover US upgrades, which they can give to you). Plus UA is pretty good for award redemption.

But there no doublt will be NZ and QF partisans. It's hard to argue against NZ, being AKL based and all. However, flying discounted fares they might not even make *A Gold, let alone top tier in NZ's program.

[This message has been edited by gleff (edited 10-25-2003).]

IMO, it is easiest to reach *G on AC, 35,000 Q miles. AKL-LAX is 6,000+- each way, 6 crossings will give 36,000 miles, this is before any domestic US travel on UA. I am unfamiliar with the UA FFP program, others may tell you it is better. I'm thinking that lounge access, priority check in and baggage handling, access to better seats will be the key benefits of attaining status. As Gleff pointed out, it is very hard to get get status on NZ's airpoints.
Hope this helps.
Which part of NZ are they moving to?

I agree with gleff's comments michswiss, I understand you do plenty of flying with OW, but in this case, achieving status, the upgrades and the price of awards makes UA the sensible choice.

The status bonus miles they'll earn on UA metal will be valuable (i'm not sure what the deal is with flying NZ metal with a UA flight number?), the comp upgrade certificates. Sure achieving status is harder than AC's program where you only need 35k to hit *G, the extra miles, the slightly lower priced awards, and upgrade certs for UA flights will be worth it.

As said, achieving or retaining status on NZ is a tough slog now and I find NZ treat other *G's as well as their *G's in their own program (with the exception of NZ Gold Elites). They will also really appreciate the 34" pitch in Y flying across the pacific against what QF have to offer. QF do offer IFE on their 744's across there, but NZ is still a good product with great food, great service, roomy seats and very new movies on the screen. NZ also block off the exit row seats in rows 23 and 35 for all *G, NZ *S and Koru flyers. Exit row 45 is a free for all.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll look into *A program for them and spend some time reading the United and *A forums.

Ok, I thought I could resist but as a loyal OW traveller I have to ask this.

Is Qantas so bad as a program as compared to United or another *A carrier?

I'll go back to being rational now.