Something else not yet mentioned, if you decide on AA vs. BA, they also have a paid status match program that would match you to Platinum. For status benefits though I'd go with BA Silver over AA Platinum since AA domestic upgrades for Platinum won't be common and BA Silver gives you access to lounges on domestic tickets. The main advantage to AA would be year 2 when you could make PPro, you'd get 2 SWUs as a choice award and access to the First lounge in LHR T5 (though many people complain about it, it's without a doubt better than the business lounges). It'd also get you the CX First lounge in T3 which I'd say is the best of the lot in that terminal but there are good arguments for the QF lounge too.

You've mentioned spend on the AA credit card, unless it's going to bump your status level, I wouldn't use it as a primary card, the benefits other than AAdvantage miles and LPs is pretty bad (zero travel insurances, no rental car CDW, etc.... I guess that's the Citi version, I'm unfamiliar with the Barclay's one). Chase Sapphire cards tend to be superior in every way and the points are quite flexible so you're not tied to OneWorld. I'd also look at the Capital One Venture X, it is pretty solid too and has great earnings ratios. Loyalty Lobby just did a good piece on the Amex Plat, and it does have great benefits and insurance (note Amex CDW isn't valid in Ireland, Chase's is, I don't know about CapOne.) but their spend ratio is generally inferior.

When considering long haul flights out of the UK, that APD stings on premium tickets so many people use DUB as a jumping off point instead. AA serves DUB and you can use either AA or BA miles on EI flights (EI also earns in both programs on revenue tickets). QR also serves DUB for eastbound long haul travel. With a train connection, BRU can serve the same advantage but France has a quite high premium ticket tax as well.

If you want to collect more miles, it seems like AS is the best for BA flights, especially on business class. But you never know what will happen to their program in the future. They seem to have a status match as well. Note that if you deposit your miles into AA, all BA and IB flights will be revenue based, must be booked by their preferred travel agents etc.
If you want to have benefits for your family, I think some credit cards offer companion vouchers but I never explored it. I think they also have some limits to where the departure should be. For example, US cards might restrict you to start your trip in the US etc. I believe BA has AMEX card in the uk with similar features.
If you want a status, BA seems easiest but I don't see much value in collecting BA avios because one can easily transfer it from cc or other programs. However, Avios is useful for London based travelers for direct flights within short distance but I think AS has more or less similar redemption costs.

AA EP or AS 100K?

Best Oneworld Frequent Flyer Program for you?
- do you value miles/points (or equivalent) for redemption over gaining status? Currently, no.
- what do you want to use the miles/points for (award, upgrade, hotels, what ever)? AS miles used for booking award tickets. Currently credit all AA flying to AS to make status.
- what sort of flight award is of interest? – First/Business International.
- do you have other ways of earning points in the various programs, e.g. credit cards, shopping, etc? CSR, VentureX, Most major branded hotel cards, AS credit card.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Upgrades to First Class when flying domestically.

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Actual flight miles ~100,000? 2023 was 80 airplanes, work and personal travel. 2024 will be about the same

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
On AS, I always purchase MAIN. Since I’m 75K, I can select Premium Cabin seats free at booking. GGUs are basically worthless for any AS flights book. On AA, I usually choose BASIC, since with OWE I can select a Comfort Class Seat and get a free checked bag. If the cost difference is low, sometimes will choose MAIN if the booking class earns more EQMs. Usually end up on a few Southwest flights due schedule.


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

Both. I pay for most of my flights. This is the main reason free domestic upgrades are the most important.


(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
ANC-SEA-DFW. Other U.S. domestic all over. MIA, TPA, MCO, JAX, CMH, BHM, LAS, MTJ, GJT, DEN, PDX in the last couple years. Hubing out of DFW with American (and Southwest as a backup) pretty much ensures no layovers in the Continental US. Will start flying at least one international trip (vacation) per year on mileage again this year. Have a five-country trip booked with AS mileage upcoming in a couple months. The wife flies international once or twice per year, and I would like to be able to spend miles for her tickets as well.

(6) What is your home airport?
DFW, DAL, ANC


(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?
75K on Alaska since 2016, on track for 100K this year thanks to CC spend. Currently 240K AS miles.


(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
75% AS, 15% AA, 10% Southwest and other.



Having to hit credit card spend to make top tier status is the main reason I am considering changing loyalty programs. Would plan on getting the Citi AA Exec World Elite and the Barclays Silver cards to earn the additional loyalty points needed to make Executive Platinum. Alaska seems to be slowly devaluing their program, and I expect the 100Ks to explode now that they are offering EQMs by spending. Considering switching to the AA DFW-ANC direct if there was a high probability being upgraded. Looking for some Executive Platinums to weigh in on that.

My personal spending on flights averages about $9K per year. 25% of my BIS mileage is work tickets are booked by my employer on AS.

By my math, I need to spend a little over $18,XXX a year on AA flights, or make up the difference with other spending on AA branded credit cards as an AA Executive Platinum to keep Executive Platinum.

If I get the Citi AA Exec World Elite, it looks like it’s good for 20,000 bonus loyalty points. The Barclays Silver looks like it’s good for 15,000 bonus loyalty points, if I spend $50,000 on the card. That’s 85,000, with $50,000 spending on the Barclays Silver card. IF I’m Exec Platinum and I spend $9,000 on tickets at 11 loyalty points per dollar, that’s 99,000. This leaves me to find 16,000 more points to make top status. Should be easy through CC spend or booking a couple hotels through an AA travel portal? I always tought it was a lot harder to make top tier on AA instead of AS, but it looks like it is pretty close.

Also, from looking at international mileage tickets, it seems like AA has a lot more availability than using AS mileage with partner airlines.

You've got a pretty interesting scenario.

I do pretty well on AA upgrades as an EXP and I think the customer service on the EXP line is generally great. But I fly a lot of less prime routes, my home town is in Ohio so I do a lot of CMH, CLE, or DAY routes, I go to St. Louis a lot so that's also one I frequent, those are easy upgrades. I believe the only upgrades I've missed when I was on an economy ticket were PIT-ORD, LAX-DFW, and DFW-LAX. But hub to hub upgrades don't seem to be easy and I generally buy first outright on those if I want it.

I have a feeling your ANC flights are difficult, even as EXP. I haven't been there (yet) so can't speak to it personally but I recall a lot of chatter in the UA forum when I was 1K that their ANC route was typically full of paid F oil folks up front, pretty much zero upgrades to be had. I know DFW isn't IAH in terms of oil, but still I imagine that front cabin is a tough one if not buying it. How's your upgrade ratio on SEA-ANC and v.v.?

Since you mention 25% of your flights per year are booked on AS by your employer, a consideration is how they'll earn on AA. AS credits all except basic at 100% of distance (plus your status bonus), AA does not and many fare classes are in the 25-50% range plus EXP bonus. That still "might" be better than you'd earn on AA metal flights based on revenue, or might not be, you have to weigh your average ticket cost vs. distance at the appropriate multiplier if switching your employer funded flights to AA metal is even possible.
AS Credit on AS
AA Credit on AS

In terms of award chart for long haul international, AA beats the heck out of AS since they went distance based. In theory partner availability should be similar if not the same from both programs, but I do believe that QR has some favoritism for AS vs. AA in their availability if that makes any difference. You'll have to look at both carriers non-Alliance partners to see if any are relevant to you or not. I've been able to take advantage of FJ awards from AAdvantage and definitely appreciated they were there.

One thing I also don't know is how the upgrade ratio is for AS elites on AA and AA elites on AS. I have my first ever flight on AS this summer but it's in paid D class, so already up front.

One other thing I can think of that is advantageous about AAdvantage is that as an EXP you get the 120% bonus on all OW flights, where on AS your status bonus is only for AS flights. That can make a huge difference depending on the airline flown, but AS has better multipliers for some premium cabin partner travel... 6 of one, half dozen of the other maybe.

I don't know there's a clear answer for your question, as a global traveler I really like AA's program, but sounds like you're primarily regional aside from some international holidays using miles. The downside of regional / domestic travel is that you don't get lounge benefits but sounds like you plan to make up for that with the Citi Exec card. The Citi card benefits BTW are pretty horrible in the US credit card market, so aside from the Admiral's Club membership and any needed status miles, I wouldn't choose it as my primary spender. It has zero travel insurances on it anymore either, so definitely don't buy travel with it if that coverage is important.

I'm almost always upgraded on the DFW-SEA/SEA-DFW leg, and maybe 1/3? on the SEA-ANC/ANC-SEA. I'm keeping a list this year, and going to compare it after I hit the 100K mark.
The later the red eye, the better the odds of upgrade. I was eighth on the list after FC was full last week.

Looking at the mileage cost to fly AA metal to Europe, they look pretty good.

There are some good economy redemptions with QR, that's who I'm flying back from DXB/DOH this summer.
I scored a 30K miles ticket to Europe, including a 3 day stopover in Helsinki on the way there on Finnair as well.

I bought an Alaska Lounge+ Membership last year, but did not renew. The Capital One lounge at DFW is great, and I have the CSR with 3 Priority Pass restaurants in SEA. A long Anchorage layover can be rough, but I have 4 lounge passes a year from status. The Admiral's Club membership includes access to all the Alaska Lounges, so it's like paying $55 less for an Alaska Lounge membership if I get the AA Card. Would not get it unless I was chasing AA status.

For that ANC flight, seems to align with what I knew about the UA flight. I bet it's full with a lot of paid by company oil folks. I wouldn't count on elite upgrades on that segment from any airline, and from DFW is a lot more hours in the air if you don't clear. How much more $$ is it to just buy first / business?

That's not normal, AA has dynamic pricing on awards and doesn't release much inventory at saver prices. (the lowest level available). Generally you'd see those mileage levels on IB, BA, or AY but if it's BA you're paying out the rear for their YQ fees, it's not worth it. Find something on IB or AY, I'd never ever redeem AA miles for BA long haul. (and for that matter never would I redeem BA miles for long haul on BA, I'm not keen to pay $500-1000 for an award ticket fee).

Pretty terrible use of miles, but if it's worth it for you then that's your choice. For myself I almost never redeem for economy, but occasionally will do it for travel partners during expensive holiday periods when revenue tickets are 2-3x usual prices.

Sorry to inform you that restaurant use is gone on all US credit card based Priority Passes now, they've all dumped it now, Chase being the most recent. Citi apparently still has it on the legacy Prestige card that isn't available for new applicants, but I do believe that's the only one remaining but unobtainable. C1X, CSR, and Amex all dropped it already.

Just made it to Iberia Plata (Silver/OWR).

Have upcoming SNA-ORD-MCO-PHX-SNA (though my ORD Connection is only 40mins, which may prove to be painful if issues arise). Then shouldn't be too difficult to get to IB Oro (Gold/OWS).

Then the decision is whether to fly UA and credit to TK or continue to make it to IB Platino (Platinum/OWE), which I don't think would provide me with much benefit as I am already flying in Biz/First domestically.

For domestic, you're right, there's little incremental benefit of OWE vs OWS. If you're already flying domestic first your luggage allowance is already 3x 32kg. The only place I can think of that it would really matter is if you transit JFK frequently where you'd get the SoHo Lounge vs the Greenwich Lounge. I've always been a bit surprised that the AA FL is open to OWS, but unless that changes then non-US based OWS is perfectly fine for domestic US flying.

If you end up doing more overseas travel in the future then I do think OWE has value but within the US you're probably right and better to chase *G via TK, A3, or OZ (though OZ is likely to be short lived)

Yea, I was definitely surprised that OWS has access to AA FL. Do you know if that extends to Flagship Dining as well (seemed unclear),

Baggage likely not going to be a big perk for me, I tend to travel with Carry on mostly, maybe if I go international, I'd take a single suitcase.

When I was looking at *A, TK seemed like the best option, while I originally was going to go OZ, it didn't seem to make sense since it may change. And Aegean requires the A3 Metal flights, whereas TK doesn't.

Also I think my company has a Delta Status Match offer, so once I get to OWS (IB Gold, it may be worth matching to a different program if I have a bunch coming up on that alliance. So far I have been selecting AA/AS only, but there are times when DL or UA would be a bigger plane possibly with lie-flat (777/787, or DL1 on 767), vs AA's 737MAX/A321s

Read Access paragraph on this link:

https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...rst-dining.jsp

The only thing I saw was for AA pax: "If you’re flying on American Airlines in Flagship® First or Flagship® Business Plus on qualifying international or transcontinental flights, you automatically have access." I didn't see anything for access based on OneWorld status from other carriers.

Because as far as I know there's no status entrance to it, pretty certain it's just based on your ticketed cabin, don't even think CK's get access based on status. They even have this disclaimer *Departing flight must be marketed and operated by American on the same day (or before 6 a.m. the following day).", so doesn't even seem that partner F gets you Flagship dining. Once First is officially gone I'm not sure how sustainable it's going to be. I guess it depends on how many people are actually buying the Business Plus tickets.

No Flagship Dining, you have to fly AA Flagship First or buy the Business Plus ticket to qualify. Note Flagship First means the premium transcons on the A321T or international F which is on very few routes now. Those are the 77W routes which might only be LHR, GRU, and maybe still SYD now

Ultimately this is something best weighed in the *A forum, but thought I'd mention it at least since you're doing several programs. You might double check on A3, there is a reduced qualification requirement if you have 4x A3 segments, but it isn't a hard requirement like some other airlines. They have raised the bar though, it's now 70,000 status miles without A3 segments vs. the old 48,000. Their earnings and award charts can be quite decent for premium cabins, so worth comparing. The bar on TK is a lot lower for sure at 40k for Elite and 80k for Elite Plus, but which will be more valuable to redeem? (assuming you can feasibly hit the 70k for A3 anyway) Both credit UA P and Z fares at 100% though TK has a 50% bonus for J, C, D that A3 does not.

Thx for the clarity re: AA Flagship dining.

Turns out I'm flying next week SAN-xORD-DTW (D Class), then DTW-PHL-LGA (I Class), then JFK-LAX on an A321T in Business (R Class) (couldn't justify the Flagship First over Biz for work hah).

This will push me over the 2250 for IB Oro/OWS. Crazy to get there in 2 months since April 2024 when the status year begun. I have been carefully choosing AA routing, (not through DFW), to help push the status over the edge. But there were times where UA/DL had better routing. I wonder if there are any Status match promos, I think I saw one to Delta Medallion, and to TK. Will look into it soon.

Congrats on the OWS!

Status matching to DL will have very little meaning flying domestic First on DL flights. I'd be looking at matching to (or earning in) a program that grants access to DL lounges on domestic flights instead. Unless you're going to sign up for the Amex card that gives DL lounge access, but it's an expensive card and I don't see the value in it compared to others in the market. Amex Platinum on the other hand has quite a bit of value, and still gives DL lounge access when flying DL, but I think it's capacity restricted which is a huge issue in DL lounges these days. I'd prefer to have status access vs. credit card access for DL. (Edit, scratch that, I didn't realize that DL doesn't grant lounge access to SkyTeam ElitePlus members for domestic only itineraries, so your only option is via Amex or purchasing a membership)

I want to say TK requires some TK metal flights for their match, but you can earn it organically easily enough.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: Lounge access, priority boarding, security fast track

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: Varies greatly. But experienced in mileage runs if need be. Or do detours, different departure airports to maximize etc.

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Reply: transcontinental J or Y+ (F on a super cheap deal), continental Y

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: 100% leisure, all on my own money. Not rich, but travel is my hobby, so willing to splash.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: FRA, so therefore LH group (and A*) naturally.

Main reason for OW now is wanting to travel to Doha about once every two months (and would obviously start using BA, IB, AY within Europe as an alternative to LH at times).

(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: LH M&M Senator (*G) until 2/27. Also have an AY Plus account but the few points I had in there seem to have expired.

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: QR, BA likely

Okay, so from the questionnaire it should be pretty obvious I have 0 status in OW right now and being based in Europe BA would seem like the natural choice as a program. I've always loved AY, but I'm not sure they have a future at all (aren't they expected to get fully merged into BA Ex anyways?). Though starting out at completely 0 and with first flights on QR likely only being in Y will hardly give any credit at all, I'm not sure it's useful at all.

I wouldn't mind gaining options over LH group within Europe though.

My current consideration is paying for the JR Edit:RJ status match for 1 year, enjoying it for the time being and then trying to fly MS or TK on my *G status most of the time after that runs out.

Thank you for your thoughts and recommendations.

Since lounge and priority boarding are your main points, in OW you'd really want to aim for OW Emerald, since you're already getting business lounges on your business tickets anyway (not sure what ratio you're flying business vs. Premium Economy?) OW Emerald gives you First lounges in locations that have them. You'd also already be getting priority boarding on business and PY tickets but OW Emerald will generally give you a higher priority on both.

Without a firm idea of your annual flight patterns it's really hard to say, but I'd suggest evaluating your past year or two's flights and see where you'd come out in QR Privilege Club, AS Mileage Plan, AY Plus and possibly BA and IB. BA and QR both require minimum segments on their flights, but sounds like you'd have no problems with either (just 4 per year), the others don't have that requirement.

AS MVP 75 is pretty easy if you're premium cabin heavy but their award chart sucks for anything longer than a few thousand miles. AYs award chart is pretty awful too but you can transfer to BA, IB, and QR which are all more palatable.AA's award chart is generally superior to all of the mentioned programs, but it's the hardest one to gain meaningful status from zero, you'd need to be able to hit 120k Loyalty Points between March and February the following year for Platinum Pro, the lowest tier for OW Emerald. Qualification year is another point to consider, depending on when you do most of your flying. BA and IB are May to April, AS is January to December (I believe AY is too but not 100% sure), QR is flexible based on your first Q Points earning flight.

Someone in one of the RTW threads mentioned it was pretty easy to get to AY Platinum in just one DONEx. (Something you should really look into as well from what it sounds, you could easily get 2x of your DOH trips into one of those if well planned plus a bunch of other places you want to visit as bonus, right now ex-Japan starts in the upper US$4k range due to the weak yen). You can optimize a DONEx to easily get OW Sapphire in one trip, Emerald in a couple of programs, and very close to BA Gold or QR Platinum (OW Emerald). Since you mention DOH as a frequent destination, if you go with QR Platinum they allow you Al Safwa (QR's special First lounge) access on paid QR business tickets (RTW counts for that). If you're buying even a few business class tickets per year already then the cost is pretty easy to justify and since it books into D, a mid-range fare code (not discount) it has strong earning multipliers in certain programs. There are several sticky threads in this forum for RTW info and questions to start your journey if that's of interest.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply: I want to make sure I can use the miles I/we as a family earn on our upcoming trip
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: OW-flights are not in my books normally - I booked an AA ticket in PE however because the fare was very good...this OW-program would be my third priority after *A and SkyTeam
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Reply: Mix of Eco to Business, in this case one singular PE flight
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: Yes, I choose the airline to fly.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
Reply: Intra-Europe, EU->US, some EU->South America
(6) What is your home airport?
Reply: CGN/DUS/FRA
(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: UA Silver, LH FTL (on track for SEN this year), Flying Blue Gold - no miles in any OW program, all accounts I had (BMI->BA, AB, CX) have expired.
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Reply: Usually like UA, but KL and AF have been equally nice last year

In a nutshell what I am looking for is a program to credit my singular AA-ticketed flight in PE - flying CGN-LHR-PHL(BA)-MCO(AA) and MCO-CLT-LHR(AA)-CGN(BA), all booked under AA flight numbers in H-class (short-haul) and P class (long haul). We will be a party of three, and it would be great if an award-return on CGN-LHR could be had with the miles I get from this trip. Could top off with Amex points if needed...

Thanks for any suggestion!

Greetings - Dirk

If award space is available for CGN-LHR-CGN on your anticipated dates of travel, then crediting your AA flights to newly-created BAEC accounts (one for each passenger) and redeeming for Reward Flight Saver awards makes the most sense.

Edited to add:

Here's what the pricing looks like for a one-way CGN-LHR Reward Flight Saver redemption with BA Avios:

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e6db261837.png

Of course, one should always compare the cost of a redemption to the cost of a cash flight with comparable benefits. (Redemptions on BA include a free checked bag in Economy Class; HBO cash fares do not.)

I wonder if the earning side on this idea would be optimal - from what I understand is that BA calculates Avios based on the fare paid, and I read that this is also true for flights on AA. With the 6 Avios per pound paid it would give me approximately 4500 Avios that way. If I would get Avios based on distance, however, it would be over 9500 Avios based on the booking-classes.

So venturing a bit into this I thought about earning the Avios into a Finnair Plus account (as they state that all non-Finnair flights are credited based on flown distance) and then transfer them to Executive Club 1:1 without a fee for redemption on BA as Finnair charges more Avios for the desired flight and has a substantially worse availability. Doing it that way we would get a free roundtrip to London each out of this single trip if my calculation is correct vs. a one-way each if credited directly to BA. Or am I missing something?

Sure, you always have to check and compare - but from what I checked it looked decent for the dates I have in mind...little competition on this relation means prices of 200+€ are commonplace over a weekend.

Greetings - Dirk

Yes, if you got a very cheap fare, then crediting to AY rather than BA would yield more Avios. Note that the Finnair website says this re: redeeming AY Avios for BA flights:

"The Avios charges of award flights for British Airways follow British Airways' own pricing. You will find the up-to-date prices on our website’s booking engine."

But I don't know whether AY offers the same Avios plus money options that BAEC does.

I'd be checking QR as well. They have a pretty good earning rate for AA PY. Just like AY, you can transfer those to BA later but don't know if you can pool family miles if they aren't earned in BAEC, you'd need to check into that yourself.

In case it's helpful to anyone:

I'm transitioning to just flying whoever has the best deal/times, and have been looking for the best programs to affiliate with. I formerly just earned everything with whatever U.S. airline that I flew. Given the generally limited amount I fly, I'm really just interested in earning and redeeming; status isn't that important. [Side note: I AM making Silver on Delta this year, but I'm ultimately transitioning that to Flying Blue.] I was able to determine Flying Blue and Aeroplan worked best for me, and was planning to go with Avios for One World . . . until the recent devaluation of Avios points. It used to be that Avios redemptions were a bargain, but no more. I did several side-by-side comparisons, and I'm better off just earning and redeeming on AAdvantage now. (The earning is mostly equivalent.) It's unfortunate, because I can transfer Avios points from my credit cards and not AA, but alas . . . . YMMV.

There are four different FFPs which use Avios as their "currency," and each program has its own redemption rates, fees, etc. Which program were you comparing to AAdvantage, and for what routes?

BA. I thought that if they were all using Avios, they'd have the same redemptions. You're telling me they don't?

I always used to use BA miles for domestic AA routes, where they usually beat AA's redemptions.

I'm telling you they don't. Finnair Plus redemption chart for AA here:

https://www.finnair.com/us-en/finnai...-with-partners

QR, like BA, charges for each flight flown, but I'm not sure if they have adjusted their AA redemption rates upward as BA has.

I checked Iberia, Qantas, and Qatar, and it was no better than BA. But FinnAir says 11K for a domestic flight on AA? That'd be awesome.

Time to sign up!

ETA: Aww, wait a minute--you can't transfer from Chase or Amex, so it's no better than Aadvantage. I was hoping to find something usable that I could supplement with card points when needed, that still had good domestic redemption value.

But you can still transfer to BA which can then transfer to AY. I know the Avios programs aren't always great, but do tend to have very good sweet spots, so don't forget about the pretty much universal transferability between them all.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Lounge Access, lifetime status, status for spouse/family
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
40,000 - 60,000 miles, 24 - 30 flights/sectors
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Cheapest economy, sometimes flex eco or business on promotion.
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Yes, I can. For work, but pretty flexible.
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
APAC, NRT/HND - CGK, mostly on cheap flights, sometimes on cathay/malaysia/SQ
(6) What is your home airport?
HND/NRT
(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?
Krisflyer Elite Gold (From status match) & Enrich Silver
(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
Any airlines is okay, most common is malaysia airlines & cathay

I usually fly cheapest options available (since my reimbursement quota is based on $$ fare), this year I would like to gain some status, if possible a lifetime status within 5 years.

I'm fine with splurging a bit for business once or twice a year, and I'm flexible enough to do miles run from outside of my home airport (Although, I do have a weak passport).

Thanks for your recommendation, cheers!

I think one of the biggest points you'll need to consider is the limitations on earning on discount MH and CX tickets. They earn 0% in quite a few programs so wouldn't accomplish anything towards your goals.

Have a look at some of your recent e-tickets and find your booking codes, then look at Wheretocredit.com to see how they earn in each program. I suspect your options are going to be fairly limited and will steer you toward the right program. I have a feeling it is likely MH or CX, and those aren't ones that I'd often recommend. CX is probably the better of the two, but not if you earn 0% on your MH flights.

It does sound like you could get to OW Sapphire with the miles you're flying, but you'd really need to be conscious of the airlines you choose to maximize your earnings. Just as an example I was recently looking at flights BKK-CGK and MH had a decent price, but it's booking class Q which only earns in Enrich and nowhere else. On that same date I did a sample search for BKK-HKG and the price quoted was also booking class Q on CX which is 25% in some programs and 0% in others.

Actually looking at the Enrich status requirements, Gold requires 60 elite points, since you're pretty sector heavy vs. mileage flown it might actually be the easiest program for you. For example KUL-NRT is a bit over 3000 miles, so 4 MH Elite Points per sector. I think their award chart is pretty lame, but if you're flying a lot of cheap MH flights then it becomes the only decent choice.

MH Elite earnings info

Thanks for the input! I considered MH first as well because I flown with them once this year on return NRT - CGK route O class and gained 12 EP for ~$350, which is pretty unbeatable. But, I wouldn't mind spending extra hundred dollars or so to gain lifetime status faster, considering MH require 4M points for lifetime plat.

I'm looking at Qantas/BA as well because they have easier lifetime status, but I'm unsure regarding crediting towards different FFP and eligible flights since I wouldn't be flying with them for work at all. Could you give your insight?

MH's bar for lifetime status is indeed quite high, but you won't get credit for MH O fares anywhere else. That's a massive catch 22 for your flying patterns. MH O and Q fares will only credit to Enrich. N fares can credit to Enrich as well as AS, BA, IB, and AT. Anything above that (V and above) will get partial credit in all OW programs but is a fair bit more expensive per ticket.

BA's lifetime status isn't an easy bar to reach on economy tickets either to be honest, nor is AA's (you need 2 million base miles which you'd generally be earning at 25% on MH economy and very few CX economy fares credit anything to AA), I don't know QF's well enough to gauge it but suspect it's similar to the others. But just as an example for AA's assuming all 25% earning tickets then you'd need 8 million flown miles to achieve it. BA's is based on tier points per segment but the tier point rate on non-premium tickets is low. For example there, one way KUL-NRT on an MH V fare is 20 tier points, you need 35,000 for Lifetime Gold. That's 875 round trips from KUL-NRT plus for each year you need 4x BA flights to hold annual status. Just to add on that BA bit, since it requires 4x BA or IB flights per year, I recall you mentioned having a weak passport. I'd guess from your flying patterns it could be Indonesia? If that's the case then those could be more difficult flights to take as you'd need a UK and / or Schengen visa to get the required BA segments. I believe the only 5th freedom route they still have in this region is SIN-SYD

I am actually considering a jump to Finnair Plus, given their recent changes. Qualifying for OWE (AY Plat) seems very attainable with a DONE3/4, esp with D fares on AA coded flights (which I'm sure the AA RTW desk is more than happy to do). For me, the primary goal is having OWE for myself and being able to gift OWS status to my spouse. Redeeming points isn't bad with Avios, considering what else is out there. I also like that Finnair allows the exchange of Avios to tier points (3:1), in case you won't have enough travel.

This is a highly specific question so would appreciate the AY+ insiders' opinions here --- do AY+ platinums have the same experience as other OW Emeralds? When I read through the AY+ forum, it sounds like AY plats don't have the same level of oneworld lounge access (ie, lounge hopping)... the boarding pass indicates what lounge you can visit?

I'm obviously not an AY elite, but don't think you're going to find any in this forum to answer your question. But I have had loads of times a specific lounge indicated either on the boarding pass or a lounge invite that I completely ignored. If you have an entitlement to a different lounge based on status or ticket, then you're welcome to use it. That's at any OneWorld outstation.

Agreed.

izzik , there is also the oneworld lounge access page which is kept pretty much up to date:

https://www.oneworld.com/ffp/lounge-access

Note that you will often see third party lounges mentioned where access may be carrier specific: e.g.


Generally oneworld(/airline) operated lounges will permit entry to all eligible oneworld pax departing on on a oneworld operated and marketed flight. In these cases you generally see:

Aloha
Currently UA 1K, will likely drop to Plat end of this year due to travel conflicts. Considering options given the upcoming Alaska/Hawaiian likely merger. I can book 2 US trips and at least 1 trip to BKK before end of year.
What's my best approach to locking in OW status ? CC spend = $250k++ between personal and business.

​​​​​​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?
Award availability, lounge access, family status
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
50,000 +, all in Business or First Fights = 30-50 interisland, 10-12 US, Min. 4 INTL (2 BKK, 1 Europe, 1 GRU) for Business and 1-2 leisure
Reply:
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Cheapest Business/First I can find

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
I'm self employed and control my purchase decisions. Mostly work, therefore a deduction
(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
California via United or Hawaiian, NRT and BKK via ANA/UA, GRU via UA, Europe (AMS)

(6) What is your home airport?
ITO / HNL

(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?
HA Gold, UA 1k, (DL Diamond 10+ years, 1.7mm ST lifetime Gold) . Miles banked in HA, UA, DL,

(8) Preferred Airlines? Most common Airlines flown on?
HA/ UA/ ANA/ JAL ( JAL is now usually best to Asia from HNL, one reason I'm considering OW)
__________________________________________________ ______

Oneworld has 3 status level OW Ruby, OW Sapphire & OW Emerald.
OWS has lounge access except for USA domestic flights if have AA/AS status. Access OK with other OW airline status.
HA Gold will become AS ? status
AS is currently *not* a revenue based ffp. AA, BA and some others are.
But if you are flying paid first - business status will not much for you.
From what I read in FT premium cabin awards a tad easer with Star compared to Oneworld.
Would wait until more details of the AS takeover of HA. As a guess the AS ffp will prevail.
https://www.oneworld.com/travel-benefits

Based on your expected premium-cabin flying, I would look into the Iberia Plus program, as described here:

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

("Why Qatar Airways Business Class Regulars Might be Better Off with Iberia Plus")

The benefit of getting status with IB or any foreign oneworld program is that you would get lounge access when flying AA domestically; the downside is that the Avios you would earn with IB (or BA or AY or QR) will only be redeemable on AA or AS when low-tier award space is available on those carriers. So it's a trade-off: a faster route to status and lounge access, versus the greater AA award availability you would get with AA miles.

Getting ff miles with credit card spend a lot easier with a USA ffp. All ffp's are morning from frequent flyer to frequent spender programs. Hawaiino has a good cc spend.

Yes, but it takes 40K AA Loyalty Points to reach AA Gold (oneworld Ruby), and 75K Loyalty Points to reach AA Platinum (oneworld Sapphire). How much spend is the OP willing to put on an AA credit card? Some other cards earn more valuable rewards for certain categories of spending.

Need more info before making a program recommendation.

• Finish the run to 2MM on Delta if possible. Even if Skyteam is not a focus, it's better to lock it in before the goal posts are moved.
• How much progress on United MM status?
• What kind of awards (Y, C, F) are important for redemption? And on what routes?
• Unless AA status is the goal, credit card spend is potentially more valuable on a hotel program card. Hyatt or Hilton, not so much Marriott.
• With the information provided, I'm leaning towards recommending BA because of the extended award availability calendar and the potential for achieving GGL which addresses family status.