oneworld / non-AA Status with AA flights
Mar 4, 2011 | 10:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Up in the Air OR Down to Earth ;)
Programs: XP AA, ◊ HGP, PL SPG, 1K UA
Posts: 1,369
oneworld / non-AA Status with AA flights
No doubt it is nice to have an international *O (One World) status when you are a US based flyer. I am wondering how easy it is to do that with QF with the understanding that you still have to fly QF (4 sectors?)/year to maintain your status. Some questions that I have are how to maximize status credits with AA flights. Do short segments work? Returns from business/first class fares etc? Are there any other *O partners better suited with the end result of a Emerlad status? Thanks for your suggestions. ^
Mar 5, 2011 | 1:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Norwalk, CT
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, DL Gold, SPG Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 479
Why is that? If you are US-based, and fly mostly in the US, and fly enough to maintain EXP, I think status in AA would be more valuable (for unlimited upgrades, wived baggage fees, EXP desk for help, etc.). The only benefit I see with maintaining status with QF (or other non-US) would be lounge access. But to save a few hundred dollars, and give up the unlimited domestic upgrades, doesn't sound smart to me.
Mar 5, 2011 | 1:26 pm
#3
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 58,133
No doubt it is nice to have an international *O (One World) status when you are a US based flyer. I am wondering how easy it is to do that with QF with the understanding that you still have to fly QF (4 sectors?)/year to maintain your status. Some questions that I have are how to maximize status credits with AA flights. Do short segments work? Returns from business/first class fares etc? Are there any other *O partners better suited with the end result of a Emerlad status? Thanks for your suggestions. ^
There may be other OW carriers that have an easier path to status, but QF dangles a pretty nice carrot: lifetime status, particularly Lifetime Gold (LTSG) which translates to lifetime AC access with drinks. Discount J and F fares in the US help a lot.
Why is that? If you are US-based, and fly mostly in the US, and fly enough to maintain EXP, I think status in AA would be more valuable (for unlimited upgrades, wived baggage fees, EXP desk for help, etc.). The only benefit I see with maintaining status with QF (or other non-US) would be lounge access. But to save a few hundred dollars, and give up the unlimited domestic upgrades, doesn't sound smart to me.
Mar 5, 2011 | 1:38 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Agoura Hills, CA USA
Posts: 2,683
I am both Plat with QF and EXP with AA.. I use my QF status for the following:
1. Entrance into JFK and LAX first class lounges.. I live in NYC and work in LA. It is nice to come from work and grab a very nice dinner and drinks in the LAX First class lounge...I travel on inexpensive "Y" class tickets .
2. Qf stauts is easy with KUP fares on AA especially on segments like LAX-DFW which yield 120 status credits per segment in "A" class which is the class that the KUP fares book into...
1. Entrance into JFK and LAX first class lounges.. I live in NYC and work in LA. It is nice to come from work and grab a very nice dinner and drinks in the LAX First class lounge...I travel on inexpensive "Y" class tickets .
2. Qf stauts is easy with KUP fares on AA especially on segments like LAX-DFW which yield 120 status credits per segment in "A" class which is the class that the KUP fares book into...
Mar 5, 2011 | 1:43 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: All over 4.2MM AA EXP, UA 1MM, DL PLT, MARR LIFE PLT
Posts: 247
Qantas' program is not generous at all. Why you'd want status with them over AA if you live here is baffling. Stay with AA it is better all around. As an EXP I use the First lounges in SYD and MEL too.
Mar 5, 2011 | 1:49 pm
#6
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT EXP; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Given this is really a question inquiring about oneworld status and not really Qantas, the thread will likely be better suited to the oneworld Forum for a variety of oneworld FFP members' input for better comparison. /Moderator
Mar 5, 2011 | 5:37 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Up in the Air OR Down to Earth ;)
Programs: XP AA, ◊ HGP, PL SPG, 1K UA
Posts: 1,369
Why is that? If you are US-based, and fly mostly in the US, and fly enough to maintain EXP, I think status in AA would be more valuable (for unlimited upgrades, wived baggage fees, EXP desk for help, etc.). The only benefit I see with maintaining status with QF (or other non-US) would be lounge access. But to save a few hundred dollars, and give up the unlimited domestic upgrades, doesn't sound smart to me.