*G About to join first OneWorld program
 

I plan on signing up for a oneworld program.

The majority of my awards would be from NA>Europe RT. Are the programs all mileage based or are some zone based? I was looking at AAdvantage but it was a bit confusing as they had a bunch of different charts. That program looked appealing to me because of the AASaver awards which are half price of a normal award. I saw NA>Europe in F for 62,000 points on one of the charts?? Crazy cheap.

My main concern is with redemption rather than accrual. So whichever program is best for NA>EU redemptions would be best for me.

Anyway any input would be appreciated.

AA has both zone and distance-based awards (as does BA.) The distance-based redemption product is called a "Oneworld" award and is limited strictly to Oneworld partners, while the zone-based "partner" awards (e.g. NA < > Europe) can be used with any AA partners, Oneworld members or not (e.g. Alaska.)

Remember all AA's partner awards are one way only, so 62.5K miles for NA > Europe in F requires another 62.5K to get back.

Ahhhh that makes a little more sense. I didn't realize those were 1 way :p

So for redemption on AA metal, is that zone or distance based?

Unless you fly a specific OW airline often, AA is most likely the best option for you, especially since it seems you're US-based. Awards are relatively cheap and miles are pretty easy to keep alive with lots of mileage-earning partners as well. You also earn EQMs on AS which is nice.

I'm former BA Silver and CX Gold (currently Silver) mainly flying the Kangaroo Route over the years and even I've been tempted to switch to AAdvantage many times.

Zone.

AA is probably the right choice for you. As someone else mentioned above, unless you are going to be flying on metal of another airline frequently, AA runs tons of promo's to rack up points quickly here in the US. Since June 2009, I've racked up about 350,000 AA miles. I've flown AA exactly twice in that time. Rest is via banking & credit card deals, shopping deals, partner flights, etc.

I also just found out that my CC points can transfer to AA. Looks like AA will be my program.

It sure would be nice if we had more airline competition in Canada. I wonder why WestJet hasn't made any moves to join OneWorld. It's a shame not having a OW member for domestic flights.

I'm in a similar situation - recent Aeroplan changes have made me look at OW more seriously as an alternative. I'm just hoping that there is a way for AAdvantage to have more earning abilities in Canada beyond an affiliated credit card.

In the meantime, I'm using SPG as a bridge until they (AA) develop some more opportunities to earn.

I opened this thread for the same reason. Once fiercely loyal to Star, I find it difficult to justify my continued adherence to that alliance. Luckily, from YVR, there are plenty of oneworld options.

It would be great for us Canucks if WestJet joined OneWorld.

AADVANTAGE C.C. no more
 

Since NOV. 15th there is no more AA affiliated credit card in canada.
Michael

RBC Avion can convert to AA