MOVING away from AA to ???
 

Caveat to the answers:
Used to be AA EXEC PLAT for the past 10 years. Given the revenue imposed
Home base is BCN. But have homes in MIA and PDP (Punta del Este, Uruguay). So travel often to the US and South America. Once in the US or South America do need short trips (US, EUROPE)
Pay for my own tickets (there are 2 of us plus GUIDE DOG).
Ability to transfer CC miles is also important currently AMEX PLAT and IBERIA Sendo (only for those places that will not accept AMEX).

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Soft expiry, Link to Credit Card, lounge access, ability to redeem miles (must say 90% of the times in the past have been able to secure OW award tkts for the routes that was looking reason that do not want to jump ship to lets say SKYTEAM that is my next choice).
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Managed to fly 100K on AA
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Used to buy mostly cheap economy fares but gradually moved to mostly or mixed J W
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
YES. Pleasure and Work
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
BCN-US, BCN-MVD, BCN-ASIA (pleasure and biz)
(6) What is your home airport?
BCN
(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?
Downgraded to gold on AA have some miles left
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
AA, IB, QR

Having said that my analysis has shown that AA will no longer suit me, seems that best bet is between BA and IB. One other reason to support that is the fact that this year my heavy travel will elapse into 2018 (my BA calendar year is MAY8).

Let me know if I have missed anything and thanks in advance.

Best, JC

BA Exec Club has a minimum BA metal four-segment requirement for status-aquiring purposes, which, in your case, is going to be a problem (BA and guide dogs don't really mix well, which is part BA policies, part UK animal import regulations).
I`d go with IB unless getting your dog on BA flights hasn't been a problem for you.
Or stay with AA and employ some workarounds to get around the revenue requirements such as booking partner codeshares (if those exist on your routes!) where EQD/EQM/RDM earning remains distance-based. This works especially well for longhaul flights in premium cabins. A few good leads are in the 'AA EQD runs' thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mile...a-eqd-run.html

Hi thanks for the answer, and sorry for the late reply.

Getting the guide dog on BA is not a problem.
The four segment minimum BA Executive since can also be obtained via IB flights is not a problem and easily done (a couple of shuttle flights BCNMAD do the trick).

Staying with AA poses a double challenge the miles and dollars (thanks do follow the AA MR discussion board).

Having said that still trying to decide on what my best bet is if BA or IB... Will have to do a little spreadsheet analysis to compare.

Thanks...

Any further input on wether IB or BA do appreciate.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Good award rates and availability in premium cabins; upgrades
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
~ 50 000 miles, ~ 30 flights
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
work: J for longhaul, cheap Y for shorthaul; leisure: cheapest economy
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Can choose airline within reason; most of my travel is work related.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
TATL 3-4x per year, intra-EU
(6) What is your home airport?
BRU, soon to be MSY
(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?
Just hit UA 1K, have been FB silver for many years based on segments, BA blue
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
UA, LH, KL, BA

I have been collecting miles for about 10 years now, mainly with Skyteam and Star Alliance, but will soon be relocating to Louisiana and foresee quite some travel with One World going forward. I have about 50k miles banked with BA but am always shocked by the high fees charged for award tickets. Wondering if the time has come to switch to another program...

I am not sure if this question shall be ask in the Oneworld forum or Star Alliance forum

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Good award rates, and more lenient in mileage expiry
Not for any status/membership or other benefits

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
2 (or 3) Round Trips from BRU to HKG (Single journey trip from Europe to HKG around 5900 miles)
Around 5900*2(round trip)*2(times) = 23600 miles

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Economy or Premium Economy

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Can select any airline, for pleasure at my own cost

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
2 (or 3) Round Trips from BRU to HKG (Single journey trip from Europe to HKG around 5900 miles),
travelling *A or OW airlines for miles accumulation

(6) What is your home airport?
BRU & HKG

(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?
Will hit BA Bronze, Oneworld Ruby soon
I am earning NH(ANA) miles for family redeem ticket only, not for status, redeeming HKG-NRT in NH miles is only 20000 miles in normal season

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Any will do, most of time Oneworld (BA) or Star Alliance,
but not SAS Go (long haul).


Additional Question:
Based on the above pattern, I wish to have an *A and OW account each,
For OW account, I found BA suits me,
How about the *A account, any recommendations? UA, NH, OZ, A3?

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Priority services, lounge access, RDM

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
>50K miles, always in economy class

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Cheapest economy ticket with at least 50% accrual

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
I can choose any airlines, but my budget sticks me to economy(will feel guilty if I buy biz tickets with my parents' money).

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
TPAC routes most often, and TATL sometimes.

(6) What is your home airport?
PVG, LAX. Home based in PVG, attending university abroad, university location is close to LAX.

(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?
Currently SQ*G with 53K miles in bank, also have 44K miles in bank with AV(duh!)

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
This is the weirdest part for me. I prefer airlines that I haven't flown before. I always want to try new airlines. Since I've flown AA/BA/AY/QF/CX before, I will not consider flying those airlines anymore. With AB leaving OW, now I only have JL/LA/MH/S7/UL/QR/IB/RJ to kill.

Additional Question:
I have SQ*G (used to credit all my UA TPAC deep discounted economy tickets to SQ), now with SQ cuts UA's G/K class to 25%, I have to look for other options. Is there a chance that I can match/challenge for any oneworld carrier? Not looking for AA as I hate revenue-based RDMs.

Hi, I am new to one world but will be taking some flights on British Airways. I have status on Star Alliance. Hope to get some advice.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Consolidating miles for redemption or upgrade. Second, to get status for lounge access

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?

Reply: with one world, likely <10,000, <10 flights

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Reply: Economy
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Yes to both. More for work.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
Reply: US domestic, Europe (within Europe)

(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: Singapore

(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 with OW. Frequent flyer on Star Alliance (SQ)

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: Likely American Airlines

Hi everyone, I am (yet another) new to this site and I'll be thankful for any advice you can give.

I am from Israel, flying to east Asia every 2-3 month (about 50K miles a year).
Usually, I am taking the SkyTeam’s Aeroflot, but sometimes I need fly OneWorld’s Cathay pacific.

Flying Aeroflot, I received my Elite status very quick (2 trips).
I’ve just did some checking, and noticed obtaining an equivalent OneWorld status will take me forever (10 trips) – as collecting Cathay’s miles and points is really slow for economy seats. In addition, Cathay charges 100$ fees.

Am I missing something?
Does anyone have an idea for a better course of action? Maybe crediting the mileage to a different FFP?



(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Priority Check In & boarding. Redemptions would also be nice.

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
about 50K, about 30 flights.

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Cheapest cabin

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Traveling for work. Limited flexibility (as long as the prices are about the same).

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
Crossing Asia from Israel (Tel-Aviv) to Vietnam/Philippines.

(6) What is your home airport?
TLV (Tel-Aviv, Israel).

(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?
Silver status at Aeroflot (SkyTeam Elite)

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Cathay pacific.

Thank you very much,
I'll appreciate any help you can offer.

OKI Welcome to FT

With Cathay Pacific CX low cost economy fares can earn few or even nil redeemable ff miles: that's just the way it is.
Example:- http://www.wheretocredit.com/cathay-pacific-airways/n
What fare booking class do you fly? (will not be Y).

While possible, unlikely you will earn status a faster with another ffp. Calculating the status earning for a ffp can be a lot harder.
What benefits from status will you get?

Alaska AS ffp is another option flying CX, but AS partners are reducing. AA will not be a ff partner from 01 Jan 2018.

Hi,

Currently have Platinum status with AF/KL Flying Blue but yesterday the announced changes to FB has caused much negativity so for me it's better to "jump ship" as it's going to be more difficult to maintain Platinum status from April 2018 (and I thought from the comments FB were focusing on premium travallers over milage runners:rolleyes:). It seems status matching is not possible so will have to start all over again in another FFP.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Program status for priority landside and airside queues. Lounge access.

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
1 long-haul first if reasonable fare, 2-3 long haul business and 1-3 intra-Europe flight business or economy just to top-up for annual status level.

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Cheap (if possible).

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
All self-funded personal travel.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
Asia (NE, SE), South America, Aus/NZ, continental Europe.

(6) What is your home airport?
LHR (Heathrow)

(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?
Air France/KLM Flying Blue Platinum (SkyTeam Elite Plus)

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Air France, KLM, Vietnam Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Korean Air

Thanks

Thank you for the comment.

My next flight will probably be class N.

I mainly care about priority check In & boarding.
It seems like Alaska is an appealing option, as they also partner with Hainan Airlines - another company i might take from time to time.

Just to make sure - do you know if I must fly some Alaska segments (just as BA demands)?

Small timer with information overload
 

Hello,

Could really do with some pro-help deciphering which way to go with FF membership please. I am about to embark on an international relocation with an opportunity to (at last) be airline/ program loyal with significantly increased travel. For the last few years I've channeled AA points to my QF account and thinking it may finally be time to give up on my QF allegiance with my upcoming move:

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Lounge access and seat selection

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Estimate 3 long haul flights per year and 20 continental European flights... 50,000 miles/ year?

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Usually cheapest option available (discount economy).

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
80% work travel. Directive to choose the cheapest flights, definitely down the back of the plane.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
LHR to continental Europe, in the short term commuting LHR to LAX

(6) What is your home airport?
LHR

(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?
QF Bronze- 100,000 points. Would make Silver status tier based on credits before year end (6 weeks) but will not meet required segments. Lifetime silver is a long way away.

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Probably BA

My +1 is lifetime QF gold so our ability in the past to pool/ transfer points has been a benefit.

Thanks for your time and thoughts.

I currently have Gold status with Qatar Airways and the experience has been very positive. I have ~65000 miles. My home city is Philadelphia, and I fly a couple times to the Middle East on QA since that’s home. However, I’m starting a job in the US and I will be traveling extensively (8-10 times a month) most likely on American Airlines (since I’m based in Philly). The split will be about 50-50 between economy and business. I know I want to stick to OneWorld but I was wondering if I should move to AA. It seems like AA has better long-term plans and I plan to be in the US in the longer term (I’m only 22 now). Should I move to AA or stick to QA? Which has a better program? Any tips are appreciated.

One thing to note is that QR Gold gives you lounge access when flying on AA, whereas AA's own élites do not get lounge access in most domestic flights. I will let others comment on other aspects as I am not a member of either programme.

I am in almost exactly the same scenario as you.

First of all, hello to everyone on the forum. I've been following this forum for some time but have only recently joined. I have a very similar case to the poster above.

Currently, I have about 300,000 Avios on my BAEC and I currently have Silver Status (OneWorld Sapphire).
I recently moved to Philly working as a consultant meaning I will take between 8-16 domestic US flights per month with AA out of the Philly hub in regular main cabin Economy.
Once per year, I fly to the Far East (Kor, HK, Sing, Jap, VN etc) with QR in full-fare business class (because it's the best biz class in OneWorld?). And once per year I will fly to Europe in Premium Economy.

Now, the benefit of having BAEC status is that I can access the AA lounges whenever I fly.
The disadvantage, however is that I am missing out on all the potential OpUps for AA members?
But if I switch over to AA, I may lose my BAEC status ergo losing access to the lounges?

If there are any similar posts already which I may have missed, I apologise.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Welcome!

There's no rule against multiple FF plan memberships; you won't lose your lounge access as long as your Silver status lasts with BA. When it expires, so will your lounge privileges. You could, however, just buy a membership in the Admirals Club - I'd look at the math.

Op-ups are quite uncommon on AA as there are so many elite members of AAdvantage that most flights depart with full first class sections. Once you achieve AA Gold or Platinum (Ruby or Sapphire) status you can use 500-mile electronic "stickers" to request upgrades on domestic flights, subject to availability and limited time "windows." The math to achieve AA elite status has changed, so much depends on your level of spending and fare classes used.

I'd educate myself on the AA program to see if switching to AA makes the most sense in your case.

BA, Qatar, AA or someone else entirely?
 

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Good award earning and redemption rates
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Two business class returns between Europe and Australia each year. Other flights (not many) mainly on LCC intra-Europe and intra-Oz, in economy.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Business - been busily redeeming award flights for the last few years but now looking at business class sale fares
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Yes, purely pleasure
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
Europe (pref LHR/LGW) to Australia
(6) What is your home airport?
LHR/LGW
(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?
No status. c650k Avios (mostly from credit cards) and 300k AA (mostly from US Airways days)
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
No preferred but rather avoid BA.

First paid long haul flight for quite a few years is coming up next month, returning May, on Qatar from ARN to Oz, booked in business (R). It'll be back to Oz in July, returning December; not yet sure with whom or whether paid or award flights. I've been thinking about where to credit and also whether it's actually worth chasing status.

BA: I dislike what BA has become but not so much that I would cut off my nose to spite my face! I'd get enough tier points for BA Silver/OW Sapphire but would need four BA metal flights. I've booked the Lon - ARN positioning flight with Norwegian as that was less than half what BA wanted so even if I came back with BA, I'd still need three more BA flights and I'm reluctance to waste time and money on that unless there is a real benefit to doing so. Crediting to BA is also rather unattractive given they charge 125k Avios min + £alot for a UK/Oz award in Club.

Qatar: These flights would get me Silver/Ruby plus about 25% of the way to a reward flight Europe/Oz (90k, not sure about fees) and a possible second flight later in 2018 would get me to Gold/Sapphire - but the points have a hard expiry date (3 years?)

AA: I think these flights would get me to Gold/Ruby (I think 3,730 EQD + 27,975 EQM but I'm new to AA status calcs, can anyone confirm? Also I don't need any AA metal flights do I?). I'd get fewer miles but then only need 85K + £muchlessthanBA for an award flight. And if we go Qatar again in the latter part of 2018 that would get me to Plat/Sapphire.

But do I really need status other than for extra miles if I fly LH in business? Also I have a Priority Pass through Amex for lounge access (though that's poor in Oz).

Have I missed any other good FF schemes or considerations? I think I'm tending to go with AA.....

Do you have the AMEX Platinum card - if so, that will give lounge access if travelling on Virgin Australia

Indeed AA requires only 85k and only genuine taxes to be paid ( unless booking on BA/IB)

2 business class r/t a year on eligible airlines would easily maintain Platinum status on AA ( at 10,000 miles each way from UK, would be 60,000 at 1.5 mile per mile flown ) . For $300 you could fast track to Platinum and have the benefits and bonuses after the 1st oneway journey


If flying ARN-DOH-SYD , this is 10,557 miles approx
EQM one way will be 15,836
4 of these would be 63,344 elite qualifying miles

As a Platinum member, In R or I class
10557 + 6335 = 16,892
Do this 4 times for 67,568 award miles

and in JCD class
10557 + 2640 + 6335 = 19532
Do this 4 times for 78,128 award miles

For EQDs , this would be 20% in R or I class = 10557 * .2 = 2112 , so 4 of these gives 8448 EQDs which easily meets Platinum requirements

Thanks Dave, you are a legend! Flying Virgin next week (Etihad award) and I'd completely forgotten about that :-)

Just tried a search on fast track to platinum and got nowhere. Could you point me in the right direction please?

Just realised I forgot to add which cities. Actually into ADL and out of PER, though that's unusual for us, we normally fly to the east coast. I don't think this changes anything though (I mean obviously EQMs and EQDs would be less but not less than the relevant thresholds).

Even ARN-DOH-PER twice would meet the requirements

The fast track is the American Airlines Platinum Challenge

This - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...challenge.html ? Unless I'm reading it wrong, doesn't look like Qatar flights qualify. Probably not worthwhile anyway mind you.

oops - you are indeed correct that QR is not good for it - will have to do it the slow way

which oneworld FF program for 2018
 

I need some advice from the oneworld experts

for 2018, I am QR Platinum (Emerald) but with travel blocked to UAE, KSA................... QR is fairly useless to me now

am also EK Gold but plan to travel to Dubai much less often and Emirates has lost some of its former glory IMO

I will have minimum 4 flights to HK anually, at least two flights to the USA, will visit Africa + India too and considering basing myself out of Milan

for Dubai visits I want to explore buying EK flight with QF code

so my key question here is which FF program to go with > Cathay, BA, AA ??????

What are your objectives from a ffp?
You can continue to credit to QR and fly others OW airlines.

QF codes (flight numbers) on EK are limited to some routes. You may/may not be able to purchase.

BA requires 2/4 BA IB marketed and/or operated flights for status (look in the BA forum)

Look here:- https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onew...help-here.html

I was considering a change from QR to CX but Cathay just seems too stingy with status match and earning it, though I like what I read about AsiaMiles program

likely moving to Milan in 2018 and I visit HK several times a year

EK is a great airline but I am tired of Dubai and EK has lost some of its shine for me

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
top status > Emerald
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
mixed J or Y, 60 to 70,000 miles
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
flex Y or Business Saver
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Yes, for both
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
EK or QR, fly to HK and USA several times, then Africa and Europe as well
(6) What is your home airport?
DXB now but thinking about a move to Milan (Malpensa)
(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?
QR Plat and EK Gold, have minimal miles as I strongly believe in earning and burning with these regular devaluations and rule changes
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
I like QR but this UAE and KSA blockade is a deal breaker if I am in Dubai, so been mostly EK

What do you expect to get from Emerald status?
If flying business class status does give a lot more benefits
A status match is hard to get:- being optimistic in hoping for a match.

The airline you fly and the airline ffp you credit to do nor need to be the same.
Bur generally better to be a ff member the airline you fly most.
QF is a very poor ffp (being generous).
With QF ffp need 4 QF or eligible JQ flights for status
AS also has EK & several OW airlines as partners. But AA will not be an AS ff partner from 1 Jan 2018
#1son has not stated if he/she will stop crediting to EK

thanks for the comments

I read about FFs in OW yesterday for a couple hours as I want to have a plan to begin 2018

this Emerald status is quite handy and I want to use it more often, EK will lose out and my travel to Dubai will be greatly reduced (been doing it for 12 years)

people in OZ did not even have anything good to say about QF but I did consider it, Cathay could make sense but like many things Chinese (HKese) it is overly complicated and BA was possible but the airports in London would scare me off that plan and AA is out

so it seems the way forward is with Qatar who I like and think will continue to offer value for $$$ paid in 2018

I booked ARN-AKL-OSL trip on QR class D for end of the year.. Maybe you guys can have a look and decide what should I do status-wise. I would definitely like to keep my TK *G as I'm quite often flying Nordica/LOT polish. Do I have any options to reach a lounge-eligible status in OW with that amount of flying?

1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
1)free lounge 2)Prio security 3)extra luggage 4)family pooling or easy transfer of points
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
2 Long-haul returns in cheap J, around 30-40 intra-EU cheapest Y legs. Would have half of them on OW, half on *A to keep status.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
The cheapest fares, buying up to a week in advance for short haul.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Pleasure, flexible
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
Long-Haul different destinations, Intra-EU mostly between AMS/BRU/RTM and TLL. Also a bit of NCE, AGP as well.
(6) What is your home airport?
AMS/BRU/RTM
(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?
TK*G, status matched to AB Gold, around 5k points in AY, nothing significant, no status points.
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
EU flights are probably going to be AY.

If you can do four BA flights and your outbound and return fall within your BAEC year (if you have a BAEC account already), you will get BA Silver, which is OneWorld Sapphire and will get you lounge access and everything else in your point 1.

Thanks! The four legs are doable but would prefer not to do them. What about Iberia's FF program? They offer a status match from AB Gold. What are the main differences compared to BA, and is their online system easy to use? And which FF program is it the easiest to retain status or is there no significant difference?

I've never had status in any airline other than through a credit card so am no expert! Maybe ask about the Iberia scheme in the Iberia-specific section of FT.

Re retaining status, BA have the same requirements for potential and existing status flyers renewing but they offer a soft landing so if you qualified as silver but could not maintain that the following year, you would drop to bronze for a year.

I switched from AA in 2016 to Alaska in 2017 and unfortunately it looks like I need to change again. Would appreciate any suggestions, even outside Oneworld.

- Dropped AA because of devaluation, bad award availability, and introduction of EQD
- New AS changes mean I can't earn tier miles flying AA which is an issue.
- I have existing reservations for high value EK and AA trips in 2018 that I need to take into account.
- BA and JAL have fuel surcharges that eliminate about 40% of the value from award redemptions.
- My 'best' plan at the moment is to split my earning between AA and AS, which sucks.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Award redemption (route coverage, value, availability)

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
50-70k miles, <25 flights.

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Business/First

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Yes, can choose any. Work.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
DUB->DXB (EK, EY)
DUB->LAS/SFO/LAX (AA, BA, EI)
DUB->LON (EI, BA)

(6) What is your home airport?
DUB

(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?
AA - No status, 45k miles
AS - MVP Gold, 66k miles
UA - Silver via Marriott, no miles.
SPG Plat - 350k pts

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
BA, EK, AA

I have started flying LAX to MAD once every 4-6 weeks for my job and would greatly appreciate some help figuring out what the best One World FF program for me. The flights are a mix of BA, AA, and Iberia. I've found that AA doesn't give me credit for all segments on partner airlines.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Status and upgrades

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
80-100K miles, ~30-35 segments

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Economy

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Primarily work travel. They are price sensitive

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
LAX->MAD (LHR)

(6) What is your home airport?
LAX

(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?
No status, limited miles

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
BA, AA, Iberia

spatterson Welcome to Ft

What fare booking class are you travelling? Will not be Y booking class
Where to Credit | Where to Credit Iberia Flights
Where to Credit | Where to Credit British Airways Flights

BA and IB are owned by the same company, IAG, and both use avios as a common ff currency, But there are differences in the ffp's

Upgrades will be very hard to get on cheap tickets, not matter if AA BA or IB ffp. Cross airline upgrades are much much harder.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...aster-thd.html
USA based airlines are more generous with upgrades.

With AA you could do a status challenge for a $$ fee. Given the number of flights you do may be worth the $. Mid tier AA status would get you lounge access on international itineraries.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ge-2017-a.html

Hi Gents
Tossing up between QFF and CX here.

Have just moved to SIN, travel J twice a year to HKG and once to Syd. Also travel personal (probably econ) SIN-SYD for xmas + one flight to Europe return (J or Economy) per year.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Status and upgrades

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
35k Miles

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Business

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Most will be Business, with some Economy. I also like to pick up MH specials when they fly J to Perth/India/Sri Lanka from KL

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
SIN-HKG, SIN-SYD

(6) What is your home airport?
SIN

(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?
No status, 100k+ miles in QFF(mostly credit card), 100k+ miles in my Citi singapore points (which can convert to SQ, QF, CX points i think)

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
SQ, QF, TK, Qatar.. Could possibly start using CX on my HKG trips but it doesnt make sense to route via HK to go back to Sydney twice a year.

Any and all advice appreciated! I have spoken to a few people around the office who say CX are much more generous with rewarding loyalty by way of upgrades that SQ (and QF if we're comparing intra-alliance).

Thanks.

Hello I'm an AUssie living in the UK with my partner. We find ourselves travelling back to Aus once a year or so. Though we'd like to start smaller flights into Europe soon too. Maybe the rewards could be used for that?

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Price, upgrades, lounge access.
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Return flight London<->Melbourne once a year for 2 people. I think it's 11,000 miles each way?
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Cheapest - Econ.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Yep, for pleasure.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
London to Melbourne. Maybe some future London to Europe. Malaysia, Qatar, Etihad - They're usually the cheapest.
(6) What is your home airport?
London LHR.
(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?
I have 7,000 QMiles with Qatar, and probably some with Malaysia by now.
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Malaysia, Qatar, Etihad - They're usually the cheapest.

Stick with AA or switch to AY/BA?
 

Hello! Here is the obligatory "Long(ish) time lurker, first time poster" introduction. I am travelling a lot for work these days and also love to travel in my own time, but as I get older, much like drinking, the all nighters in the last row middle next to the lavatories are ruining me for a week after, so I would love some advice as to which FF program would be the most economical for me in terms of accruing miles for upgrades, award flights and status. The basic facts:

1) My family is in America, partner's is in Ireland. We have relocated to the eastern Baltic (i.e. close to Finnair hub HEL) and have work colleagues and business still in the UK (London) and in Western Europe (Germany). I also have an ongoing work project in California -- this translates to 4 or more TATL flights back and forth for both work and personal this year.

2) I have the AMEX platinum which comes also with PP Select (although it seems all the PP lounges are the crap ones…or are heading in that direction…)

3) I am currently on the AA Platinum Challenge (which I'll complete in April) because it seemed to be the only one open to anyone who paid the fee (Delta, I believe requires you to have status on another alliance already to do the challenge) and I had some work flights on AA in January.

4) I have *A silver from a business flight on NZ last April and just realised I could reach Gold with one more PE roundtrip if I squeeze it in before April, but that’s unlikely to happen at a decent cost and I’m not sure how much I’ll fly *A in the next year so I figure if I make the decision to go to *A Gold I’ll go whole hog rather than have both statuses at the same time.

So, I have *O Sapphire from AA Plat, but with the trips upcoming (one of which ended up being a codeshare, which I wasn't meaning to do...oops) I am wondering if I should stick with AA and consolidate everything toward them (and not be able to use lounges in the US when I do fly domestic) or switch to AY once the challenge is up as all my feeder flights are on them, their mileage accrual rates are better for my upcoming TATLs on AA/BA/AY and trip to Japan on JL, their reward chard looks like a better deal...and there is no EQD requirement…

Any advice is appreciated!



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?

Upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, better award access, free lounge access

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?

25000-50000 probably this year, mostly economy with the occasional PE or B when I book for myself (optics are bad for work so that’s al Y)

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?

Depends on the length. I’d rather go longer flight/Business to make the J fare worth it and cut down on potential problems, but more stops and Y are okay with lounge access.

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?

Yes and up to PE for the really long ones. Mostly work but also some personal flights.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?

TATL and within Europe for work. EU - Asia for personal.

(6) What is your home airport?

HEL will be our new home!

(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?

AA Platinum, NZ Silver which is about to revert to nothing…or if I squeeze in a PE roundtrip before April could have *A gold, but….not sure it’s worth it if I am focusing on flying *O this year.

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?

AY/BA for the next year.

Hi all! Not sure if anyone is still watching this thread but thought I'd try anyway.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Lounge access, priority services, good award redemption rates
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
At this point, probably take about <10 international flights a year but will change in the next year.
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Economy
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Yes, both work/pleasure
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
NZ Domestic, NZ to Asia.
(6) What is your home airport?
AKL
(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?
Just lost *G
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Air New Zealand. Have mostly flown Star Alliance but keen to explore cheaper options through Oneworld.


Thanks guys!! :)

Hey guys, any help appreciated as I feel like I'm not getting the best I can be getting at the minute...

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Upgrades, redemption rates and especially lounge access

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
125,000 miles and 60 flights last year, all in economy (unless I get a good rate on premium economy)

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Cheapest

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Business traveller, I can choose my airline within reason but class needs to be cheapest available

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
European short haul

(6) What is your home airport?
London Heathrow or Gatwick

(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?
British Airways Executive Club Silver, with 131,000 Avios to spend

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
British Airways