Choices may need re-thinking w 75K limit
 

Currently I'm in the middle of a DONE4. I'm at about 75K I think, given the clear as mud terms. So I hate to lose another big chunk of miles if they limit me to 75K, which they will do if the computer sorts it all correctly. So I entertained the thought of crediting to another program, probably BA. But wait! That means no more EQM too, so my achieving EXP for 2018 and LT plat will be jeopardized, depending on what other travel I do, and whether I use my Elite Citi card for the 10K EQM. I need about 27K EQM for EXP, so 17K from flying. The value of LT Plat has just fallen, as has, to a lesser extent, the value of EXP, but I think I'll make the effort one more time this year. Once Plat forever, though, I'm seriously considering crediting to BA. I agree that the EXP agents are one of my most valued perks. The SWUs are nice, but with a 12K spend requirement, I see myself buying up instead. It will be freeing in a way since I can purchase by price, not loyalty. I've been on one other carrier one time in the past 10+ years, other than partners on RTWs. And this almost always at a premium price when I've bothered to check.

Has anyone else wrestled with this? What would be worth more to you, another 75K RDM in a partner FFP, given they credit the same as AA, or EXP for next year?

Originally Posted by howyapaul View Post
I am flying SFO to Dublin on 1st August on discounted business class on British Airways, it was ticketed through American, with the AA devaluation starting on the 1st August, which airline FF account should I use, AA or BA to get the best value?

I have both AA and BA FF accounts, so I just want to know which FF account number I should use to get the best value, as AA is devaluing on the 1st August,
It ticketed on AA with AA flight numbers on BA flights
The route is SFO-LHR-DUB

It all changes in 2 days for AA, and your RDM will then depend on two things: your status and how many dollars you paid for the ticket. Multiply the dollars by 5, 7, 8, or 11 depending on status form none through EXP. For example, if you are gold and paid $1000, you get 7000 RDM. Depending on ticket price and status, you may well come out ahead of old system. Or not. So no pat answer to best value without doing the calculations.
I don't know BAs current mileage accrual system, but their site should tell you. Also consider how many miles you've already accrued in each program. You don't want orphan miles sitting there--too few to do any good--unless you have a transferable partner CC.

Many Thanks

Best OneWorld loyalty program to make the most of the RTW ticket
 

Long time reader, first time poster here. I'm flying a LONE5 RTW ticket purchased through CX in September and was wondering what is the best OneWorld loyalty program to join to make the most of the RTW ticket?

Given my home airport is YYZ, I've only subscribed to the Aeroplan program so not sure what OneWorld loyalty program would be best for me.

I looked at the forums info requirements and here's the other details that might be helpful to getting the best answer for my question. If I should be posting this elsewhere, please advise.

(1) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reply:good award redemption rates, better award access, upgrades on travel, long period before expiry.

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? How many flights/sectors?
Reply: <25,000 typically. 2-8 flights/sectors

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

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: I travel for both work (2-3x a year domestic) and pleasure (international). Limited choices for work travel.

(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Reply: I usually do one international flight a year but the destinations vary widely.

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

(7) Do you have FFP status of any kind in an airline? What is it? Do you have any miles banked in a FFP?
Reply: Only banked miles, no status. 50K on Aeroplan (recently used 100K on international flight)

(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: No pref.

Thank you in advance!

I've basically been grounded (medical and family concerns) for a couple of years, and probably for most of the next, during which time my elite status (EXP, then "soft" Plat) with AA has lapsed, so I'm back to LT Gold.

In the past I used DONExs to get part (or much) of the way to EXP, for probably the same reasons as you - the EXP desk for when things go sideways, and the SWUs (which run the gamut of terrific to not-so depending on the routes and times.)

I'll probably do an xONEx in about a year (but not certain enough to book one now) but given the new AA rules I'm seriously considering bolting to BA. With my (typical) routes I'd have no problem making BA Gold (= AA EXP) but with the added advantage of giving me lounge access on domestic/Canada flights within North America, the same perks as any AA elite would have re fast track lines, baggage allowance, etc.) plus things like 2-4-1s and other BA perks including MFUs from WT+ to Club on my not-too-infrequent SEA-LHR flights.

Anyway, that's my thinking at present.

If your goal is extracting the maximum number of redeemable points - BA. Assuming no status, this flight will earn you ~17500 Avios and 280 TP (just 20 shy of Bronze)

Crediting to AA, again assuming no status, this flight will earn you whatever you paid for your ticket minus ~118 Euros in taxes times 5. Assuming the cost of the ticket was EUR1,700, you will get (1,700-118 in taxes *~1,12 current exchange rate *5 non-status multiplier) ~8,800 RDM.
You will earn 23468 EQM, though, so crediting to AA might make sense if you were trying to reach or maintain AAdvantage status.

With such few flights annually and no regular travel on oneworld these will be orphan miles most likely, and expiration should be your greatest concern. Select a program with generous expiration rules that offers non-flight partners you can use in Canada to keep the balance alive and top it off if necesssary.
Basically, choose between AA and BA depending on how many points your ticket will earn you in both of these programs. AAdvantage will transit to revenue-based earning tomorrow - you will earn 5* whatever your ticket cost (minus taxes).
With BA, you will have to plug your segments into the calculator and see how many you'll earn, but I presume it will be more than you could attain with crediting to AA.

Avios provide a decent value for domestic flights on AA and Alaska (high cash surcharges on most longhaul flightsmakes that unattractive), and balances are easily kept alive thanks to them partnering with quite a few partners like Amex MR and SPG.

hmmmm... As you say that you are "in the middle" of an RTW ticket, you have flown a number of segments which were credited under the current rules already. The newly introduced 75 k limit rule IMHO should only apply to segments you are yet to fly. I have no idea how AA will break this down, though.
Interesting question. I`d contact AAdvantage CS and inquire about that.
EXP status and those SWUs would be worth the loss in RDM for me, personally.

Thanks so much bhomburg! It definitely helps to have the advice of the experts here!

Thank you!
Thank You!

Move from AA to another OW FFP... Need advice
 

I am currently EXP with AA. I have LT-PLT and 2.75 million AA miles banked.

Under new AA rules for gaining EXP this status will be extremely difficult to obtain. As LT-PLT I have little incentive to struggle and only end up with PLT status.

I am considering moving to BAEC or QR, but I am open to others.

Any ideas or comments would be very useful.


Answers to Questions

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

Reply: My main aims are upgrades on travel, free lounge access, and retaining OW Emerald Status.

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

Reply: I fly 75,000 to 110,000 miles a year. I typically fly 1 or 2 TPAC and average 2 TATL a year mostly in discounted J. I fly 30 to 50 flights (40,000 to 60,000 miles) domestic and North American flights (typically on AA metal) with about 30% of these flights in F.

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
(First, Business, Premium economy, Economy, cheapest)

Reply: International flights 2 return in discounted Business and 1 or 2 in Discounted economy (currently upgraded to J using SWU). Domestic mostly discounted Y, one third F.

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

Reply: Two thirds business travel for which I can chose my airline. Can travel in discounted J (or J if its within my unit travel budget). One third travel pleasure (family travel, some in discounted J but mostly upgraded discounted Economy.

(5) Which routes and airlines do you fly most often?
(US Domestic, Transpacific, Kangaroo, in Asia etc)

Reply: US/Canada Domestic 50% of miles; other 50% Europe, Asia, Trans Pacific (Australia,NZ) occasional Middle East trips.

(6) What is your home airport?
(SFO, SCL, London LHR, HKG, Singapore SIN etc.)

Reply: DFW, AUS, LAX or JFK

(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 Executive Platinum, QF Gold, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)

Reply: AA EXP (2.75 million miles, LFT PLT) UA (150,000 miles)


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

Reply: currently 85% of flights on AA, also BA, QF, MY, CX, AY, JL and but have been looking at QR.

It sounds like BA Gold would be reachable; I confess I'm not familiar enough with QR's program to comment knowledgeably. But let me ask - what Emerald perks would be important to you compared to your baseline Sapphire ones that you'll get as LT Plat anyway? First class lounges?

Obviously Sapphire or higher with another OW airline would get you into Admirals Clubs on domestic itineraries (or FLs if you get to Emerald) but is that key? For me, when I was EXP the biggest perk was the EXP desk itself, with the SWUs a distant second. I had very bad luck with auto upgrades on domestic flights - SEA was too small an AA market, with too few destinations, to bank on A space being available - they just never released it, and I really got tired of playing roulette on C seats opening on overseas segments from AA-accessible hubs for TATL or TPAC flights.

So for me the EXP desk was really the main perk, rather than the SWUs or auto-upgrades. YMMV.

BA's award system sucks for US flyers IMO due to having to pay for multiple awards on simple connecting itineraries, and I believe BA has dropped the "cheap" Avios tier for shorthaul flights in the US. Not to mention having to pay "first class" Avios for domestic F simply because AA doesn't have J on most sectors. And also, of course, there's the matter of the dreaded BA fuel fines, regardless of what BA calls them.

So I'd evaluate what I'd use BA status for - MFUs from WT+ to Club on TATL trips? 2-4-1s?

And then - out of the box - I'd look at Alaska. Decent redemption rates, increasing reciprocity with AA, LOTS of excellent earn/burn partners including the likes of Hainan and Emirates, and once they've swallowed Virgin America they'll (hopefully) retain VX's airbuses with their fabulous first class product. Just sayin' - have a look at AS.

The grass in not always greener on the other side.

USA based airline ffp's tend to be more generous (status benefits/earn/burn/upgrades/award cost/award cash surcharges/expiry/affiliated credit card ff mile earning/promotions) compared to non USA based airline ffp’s (even after the recently announced changes to some USA ffp’s). But if you are not flying the airline of your ffp the useful benefits are somewhat limited.

Non USA airlines and non USA ffp's do not give out upgrades like USA airlines/ffp's, either by status (freebie) or with miles/co pay. Always expect to fly in the cabin you buy with non USA airlines/ffp's. AA/BA/IB have a limited cross airline upgrade policy, but is subject to restrictions. Is useless for most people on discount economy/coach tickets.

I do not see how QR status would help in your quest AA domestic, TAPL & TAPC upgrades. :confused:

The grass in not always greener on the other side

Switch from AA to BAEC, QR, AS or other?
 

From: Gardyloo

It sounds like BA Gold would be reachable;

That was my thought and I ran my last few years flights through the BA tier point calculator and reached Gold easily.

I confess I'm not familiar enough with QR's program to comment knowledgeably.

Just started looking at QR, at the highest Tier you get 60 Q-credits that seem to enable you to upgrade at least 1 and possibly 2 international long haul returns. Down side for me is that miles disappear in 3 years no matter what, and I am more into earn now and burn in 4 years when I retire.

But let me ask - what Emerald perks would be important to you compared to your baseline Sapphire ones that you'll get as LT Plat anyway? First class lounges?

Yes, I have become addicted to the QF, CX etc First Class Lounges

Obviously Sapphire or higher with another OW airline would get you into Admirals Clubs on domestic itineraries (or FLs if you get to Emerald) but is that key?

I did not know that BA Gold etc. gets you into Admirals Club on domestic US trips (even flying on AA


For me, when I was EXP the biggest perk was the EXP desk itself, with the SWUs a distant second.

I like that EXP desk but it is not clear to me how much better it is compared to the PLT desk

I had very bad luck with auto upgrades on domestic flights - SEA was too small an AA market, with too few destinations, to bank on A space being available - they just never released it, and I really got tired of playing roulette on C seats opening on overseas segments from AA-accessible hubs for TATL or TPAC flights.

Everyone's situation is different... I run over 90% upgrades to domestic F. I am generally able to book onto flights that have many more empty seats in F than premium seats filled in Y. Internationally over that last 5 years I have only missed two upgrades to J from Y using SWUs and those were on DFW-HKG and HKG-DFW.

This year I was upgraded J to F on the Transcon and TATL segments of LAX-JFK-LHR-ATH, as well as LAX-LHR-MAD-LIS. So as a result I have been very please with my SWUs. Unfortunately AA has halved the SWU's and made upgrades ranked on spend. I suspect that my upgrade rate on SWU will plunge to near zero next year as well as my domestic F upgrades.

I have done really well with AA but my business and personal travel budgets are simply not high enough to work well with their new system.

So for me the EXP desk was really the main perk, rather than the SWUs or auto-upgrades. YMMV.

BA's award system sucks for US flyers IMO due to having to pay for multiple awards on simple connecting itineraries, and I believe BA has dropped the "cheap" Avios tier for shorthaul flights in the US. Not to mention having to pay "first class" Avios for domestic F simply because AA doesn't have J on most sectors. And also, of course, there's the matter of the dreaded BA fuel fines, regardless of what BA calls them.

Good point about having to use more Avios for F as AA does not have a J cabin except on some Transcons. On the other hand from a tier points earning perspective domestic F credited to BA can be relatively cheap. The downside to BAEC for me is no upgrade coupons until



So I'd evaluate what I'd use BA status for - MFUs from WT+ to Club on TATL trips? 2-4-1s?

TATL upgrades and lounge access would be my main aim with BA. Sorry but I do not know what "MFU" or "2-4-1s" means?

And then - out of the box - I'd look at Alaska. Decent redemption rates, increasing reciprocity with AA, LOTS of excellent earn/burn partners including the likes of Hainan and Emirates, and once they've swallowed Virgin America they'll (hopefully) retain VX's airbuses with their fabulous first class product. Just sayin' - have a look at AS.

I had not thought of AS but I will take a close look. Not OW of course.

Thanks for the suggestion!