Finnair doesn't require any AY segments for status (other than a status above Platinum/OWE). Tier points for AA/BA/IB D class are 250% of distance so at present it does seem to be the easiest program to get OW Emerald from a DONEX. Avios transfer is not yet implemented but it's supposed to come sometime this year. Of course, if tomorrow AY decides to make earning on partners spend based, this will collapse as (unlike BA) there is no separate tier and avios accrual.

Just had a quick look, it's interesting, 80,000 TPs for Platinum.. Multipliers are good on the airlines you mentioned but most others are just 125%. A well thought out RTW though with a bunch of AA, IB, or BA codes would do well. You can put AA codes on a lot of JL and QF flights, I suspect a BA code is fairly easy on JL from LHR, any QR flights from the US should have an AA code available. That covers a lot of distance on 250% partners.

I can see this being a good recommendation for someone just wanting status and ok with Avios. AY's award chart isn't good for the most part, but once they are transferrable it's fine. I can still get a LOT more in terms of RDMs out of AA as an EXP, but most people don't have that benefit and lower tiers if they can even qualify don't give a great bonus.

Yeah, for TYO to US west redemption. IB or BA does not have the best redemption, but it is still pretty solid.

What do you mean put AA codes? Do you mean when I book DoneX I should request to use AA code instead of QR/JL flights? Can they offer option to select?

If you're calling AA, you can feed them AA codeshare flight numbers as opposed to the standard flight numbers.

Think as it stands, AY's pretty clearly the easiest path to OWE status with RTWs.

Thanks. If the flight is already booked, can I still change to AA codeshare without triggering reissue (for the first leg)?

Don't believe so.

Yes, exactly since AA codes will earn you 250% and JL codes will earn 125% in AY's program, so it's highly advantageous to use AA codes on those.

The OW tool won't offer codeshares, but any human agent can do it quite easily. AA RTW desk typically won't allow you to use other airline codes on AA metal flights, but they're happy to put AA codes on partner flights so long as there's one available.

Even if so, it would only be $125, which I think would be worth it to double your earnings. The ex-Japan base fare hasn't changed, so that's not an issue. If you have to pay, look at the rest of your itinerary and see if there's anywhere else you can change to an AA, BA, or IB codeshare.

*Edit: I just found the itinerary you posted in the other thread. Definitely TYO-DFW-BUR and LAX-DOH-CAI can go on AA codes.

I'm not 100% sure on that, it's not a change to ticketed points. But haven't seen a lot of data points on it either. When I did my last big change with QF and added GRU to my itinerary, I told them I wanted JL codes to / from GRU (AA metal) and they ticketed it as AA at first. When I complained that I told them the JL codes and explained that was important for me they immediately changed them to the JL codes without fuss or mention of wanting to charge me the $125 again. I don't know if that was because they made a mistake or if it's just a free change anyway.

Some recent posts tending off topic.
The topic of this thread --> Deciding on a Oneworld Frequent Flyer Program? Help is here.
In the OW forum are many threads on the intricacies of *ONE* tickets, which those above have been posting in. --->https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/oneworld-411/

A dumb question: How is flown distance from partner flight is calculated?

LAX -> xJFK -> ORD in one ticket. Do they use sum up all fly distance or direct distance from LAX -> ORD

Um, which FFP are you crediting to, and which airline's code is on the flights?

As a general rule, flown distance will be the sum of each flight that has a unique flight number. By contrast, if you are on a "through" flight -- a flight which makes en-route stops by has just one flight number -- typically it is only the mileage from origin to (final) destination which counts.

Sorry. My bad. LAX -> xJFK -> ORD. Two flights with unique flight number under same ticket. This was just dummy example to understand how they calculate mileage. AA flight, probably credit to AY.

If you'll be crediting to a program which still earns based on flown mileage and not pre-tax ticket cost, then the flown distance for each individual flight number (times whatever multiplier is utilized for the fare basis) will be credited.

If part of your *ONE* better to ask in one of the *ONE* threads and/or the AY forum. As above no simple answer.
Can depend of fare booking class and your status. Redeemable avios/miles/points earning is a different calculation to status earning. Every ffp can/does have a unique method of determining redeemable avios/miles/points and status.
AY is moving to a spend and avios model.--->https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finn...sed-avios.html
A broad guide, but need to read the ffp fine print---->https://www.wheretocredit.com/american-airlines

Have been a QFF Plat (OWE) in the past, but now starting from scratch, living in USA.

Considering Finnair/BA/Iberia? All I really want is Domestic Flight Lounge Access. (Lots of internal AA or AS Biz Flights for work).

Questions
For members asking for information, to help people to assist you, can you please provide:
(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Lounge Access on Domestic US Flights
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
(<25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles - <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: Not too sure, new job, just flew LAX-JFK-LAX, Have an upcoming LAX-PHX-ICT-DFW-SNA in a few days, likely in D Class
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)
Reply:Business or First, Class D/I
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Business/First for work (booked through Concur/Sable, Can choose airline usually, but have to look at price. Thinking UA crediting to TK for *A for 777/787 routes, and AA/AS crediting to AY/BA/IB?
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
Reply: US Domestic All around, Always Biz/First.
(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: SNA/LAX/SAN/ONT
(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in OW or other airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Reply: None anymore, used to have QFF Platinum (close to lifetime silver), but no longer live in Aus, so couldn't hit the 4 QF Segments.
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: I prefer widebody if possible, 787/777, Lie Flat seats when avail, AA A321T was pretty good too.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

Unless you plan a trip to Europe, BA is a non-starter, as you won't be able to get the four required "qualifying" flights needed for mid- or high-tier status.

IB does not require any IB-operated or IB-operated flights to achieve status, so that's the program I'd probably shoot for. This Insider Flyer article, which analyzes crediting QR Business Class flights to IB, might be helpful:

https://insideflyer.co.uk/2019/03/qa...f-iberia-plus/

("WHY QATAR AIRWAYS BUSINESS CLASS REGULARS MIGHT BE BETTER OFF WITH IBERIA PLUS")

Note, however, that since you'd be flying a bunch of relatively short AA/AS flights in Business Class (domestic First on two-class aircraft), you'd have to fly a fair number of trips to attain status with IB, but you should be able to attain at least mid-tier status (oneworld Sapphire) which would get you lounge access. (If you made a trip to Europe on BA, attaining status through BA would be faster.)