Probably BA, but there you need to fly on 4 BA-metal segments. BA awards (with the exception of some short-haul trips) are generally more expensive (in mileage terms) than comparable AA awards, owing to BA's requirement that multi-segment awards are charged on a point-to-point basis rather than an origin/destination basis. For example, using BA Avios, IND-xORD-xLHR-JNB (one way) in J would cost 99,000 Avios, vs. 75,000 AA miles. 9,000 of those Avios would be needed just for the IND-ORD segment; using AA it would be all-inclusive.

Elite status in the BAEC comes from tier point totals, not miles flown, with discount economy earning very few TPs, full-fare ("flexible") economy earning more, but not as many as business or first class. You need 600 TP or 50 flights to earn BAEC Silver (Oneworld Sapphire = AA Plat) which might be tough given your flying patterns.

You wouldn't get upgraded on AA flights; however as BAEC Silver you could use AA lounges on domestic flights, which you couldn't do as an AA Plat.

Probably best for you to research the programs some more on the AA or BA boards. I do think, however, that based in the US, AA would be the way to go.

Hi everyone, I am still pretty new to Flyertalk and this is the first time I'm ever even considering oneworld. I've been (and continue to be) mostly a Star Alliance flyer. However, I've now ended up needing a flight at short notice and found a Cathay Pacific flight that's way cheaper than the nearest *A flight that seemed acceptable to me. In short, I would like to know which OneWorld FFP is best suitable for just redeeming a few miles now and then. Here are my answers to the questions:

(1) What is your home airport? (CGN/FRA)

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class? (25k-50k, but not on OneWorld, the amount on OneWorld would be just the occasional longhaul)

(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? I can choose my airlines and OneWorld flights would be pleasure.

(5) Which routes do you fly most often (mainly Europe-Asia, transatlantic also possible, perhaps the occasional Asia regional flight)

(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it? none

(7) What is most important to you in a FFP? good award redemption rates, better award access, long validity, good recognition of booking classes (on *A some exclude anything even remotely discount, some aren't quite as strict). Lounge access, upgrades etc. are no issues as I doubt I'll be flying OneWorld enough to ever get any elite status.

(8) Preferred Airlines: So far considering Cathay, but no real preference, I'd be following the prices.


Thanks for the help!

Hey all, *A user here based out of New York. I'm likely to start flying more so than I do now, but specifically to the west coast of the US and Western Europe for work. I'm likely to continue to use my *A memberships for international via the Pacific Ocean, but I'm a bit miffed by the lack of *A coverage out of JFK specifically to London, and am looking for advice. Thanks!

(1) What is your home airport?
JFK/LGA. EWR is out of the question due to distance.

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class?
About 15K in Economy on leisure, but I am anticipating 10K or more in Business. Those 15K leisure miles may end up getting split with oneworld and *A.

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy?
Economy, though if the price is reasonable I would buy discounted Business. For work, it's also going to be a mix, but I don't think they'd put me in Y even to the destinations listed below (cross-country or to Europe).

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Yes, and no (on choosing cabin class). I do travel for both, but for now it's heavily weighted towards leisure.

(5) Which routes do you fly most often?
Right now, all my leisure flights usually are JFK-NRT and NRT-??? (using NRT as a connection). I imagine I'll be doing a lot of flights to SFO/SJC/SEA/LHR/ZRH.

(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it?
No, but I do have an aging JMB card and membership -- it may even be inactive now as I haven't flown JAL in 6 years :(
I am planning on getting *G through A3 at some point though, so that will eat into some miles. I use NH for redemption purposes only, as MR points transfer there and it's fairly easy to get JFK-NRT.

(7) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Reasonable redemption rates for domestic travel or to Western Europe, and easy-ish elite status.

(8) Preferred Airlines: I currently do most of my spending on AMEX, so BA is the only option for transferring miles, unfortunately. I'd have to justify getting a paid AAdvantage card (and that would eat away at my MR points). I don't think I'd want to do JAL for the JFK-NRT route, however I would consider using AA for JFK-HND at least once.

AA, BA or QF loyalty club?
 

Hi, I was after a bit of advice.

I have emigrated from the UK to Australia and have been an executive club member for some years now. I have gained Silver (one world sapphire) on a couple of occassions but am now down to blue with 50k avios points. Most of my points are gained through travelling to the US, which I usually pay for premium economy and use miles to upgrade to Club (business). I usually gain 13,000 miles and spend 25,000 on my flight and top up my miles inbetween flights with Amex purchases. I have been told by BA that I can use miles on the route from Sydney/west coast (on AA/QF) but only in full payment ie not money plus miles)


My question is with regards to which loyalty club to join and try to gain points through. I had thoughts of joining Qantas or American's loyalty clubs as I am still plaining on visiting the USA, although this will probably be via San Fran/LA. Given how I use my miles I would appreciate any advice (and reasoning behind the advise)

Many thanks

Barry

PS im posting this in BA, AA and QF forums

Hello and welcome to FlyerTalk, iambazza! We are always happy to have new members. I see that you have posted this question in 3 different fora. While I appreciate that you're looking to canvass a large audience for this question, cross posting is prohibited by the FlyerTalk Terms of Service. Specifically:

You can find that rule here, and the entire list of FlyerTalk Guidelines and Rules here. I've gone ahead and moved your question to the oneworld forum, which I believe is the right place for this type of questions. Our friends here will be able to offer you some good advice I'm sure. :) If you have any questions, please do feel free to PM me or my moderator colleagues.

~Microwave
AAdvantage Forum Co-Moderator

OK, many appologises, my intention was to gauge information from people who knew the different specific programmes well. I wasnt trying to break any rules

Barry


I wasnt aware of the template so here goes


(1) What is your home airport?
SYD

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class?
Not sure only just moved to Oz, but have a couple of USA road trips planed for SYD-ORD, JFK-SYD and SYD-LAX LAS-SYD for june and sep next year both would be in Business as well as a couple of Australian domestic economy flights.

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
short haul Economy and long haul business usually using money + miles (see comments above) although I will buy long haul business if needed

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Yes I can chose the airline and class. shorthaul business and long haul pleasure

(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Now will be SYD-USA

(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it?
I have a QF card (but no points) and BA ex silver (now blue with 50k)

(7) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Being able to use a flat bed on the flight, lounge access

(8) Preferred Airlines
none but would prefer to stay in a 'better, respected' carrier

iambazza,
Given that it comes down to AA or QF in my view. Unlikely with that amount that you could go for both

QF advantages
- Easier to get to sapphire/emerald using paid J or F (including YUPs)
- Access to AA lounges on US domestic itineraries
- Ability to upgrade QF metal (important given this seems to be your main longhaul)
- Ability to combine with Aussie credit cards
- More achievable lifetime status (now that AA has gone BIS only)

AA advantages
- Generally better earn/burn rates
- Upgrades on AA domestic legs
- Status challenge to move you up the ranks quickly

Personally if in your position I would value the ability to upgrade the longhaul legs, but others will look at the earn/burn ratios.

Not directly related to your decision on which FFP, but it sounds like you might want to investigate a Circle Pacific fare (ex-HKG, starting around US/AU$ 5000++ in business class) which could dramatically reduce your long-haul business class outlay and still keep you in high-standard carriers (QF, JL, CX) in the process. The intra-Oz flights could be included (in J.)

for iambazza would US Airways be worth considering as a play towards the expected switch of US Air out of *A into Oneworld assuming the purchase of AA by US Air is going to succeed reasonably soon? wondering if it's worth a gamble of using the advantages of the US Air program whilst accruing a balance that presumably will become a Oneworld cache of miles?

1) What is your home airport?
JFK and BNE

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class?
Jan 1-present: 8,000 in BA Y, 8000 in BA Y+, 22'ish in QF paid J (JFK-BNE round-trip). 2013 will include at least 1, possibly 2 round trips JFK-BNE in paid J. Also, perhaps a BNE-HKG trip.

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Dependent on price, distance etc, Y, Y+, and J. I am both price sensitive and comfort sensitive.

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Yes. I travel to get to uni and for pleasure.

(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Will be JFK-BNE.

(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it?
I have BA silver with 52k avios. Barring an ad hoc trip across the pond, I will lose this in Oct 2013 due to not flying 4 segments with BA.

(7) What is most important to you in a FFP?
Lounge access, redemption availability (YQ charges aren't a huge bother...I just want availability). MAINTAINING OW SAPPHIRE!

(8) Preferred Airlines
Because of my limited flying, obviously only OW.

It is pretty clear that if AA and US does merge, the combined airline would be in OW. However, that does not mean the merger will go through.

Hi all,

Very happy to have found this forum. I am a frequent traveler and long term Miles & More member. Having moved from Switzerland to the US (San Diego), I am now evaluating my options. Given that BA is the only airline flying directly from San Diego to Europe, I thought I'd look beyond Star Alliance into Oneworld - but no experience with them at all. Would be great to get some opinions.

(1) What is your home airport?
Reply: SAN

(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class?
Reply: roughly 100k, primarily in Business

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Reply: Primarily Business (some random Economy for personal use that I'd like to upgrade with miles)

(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: I can choose airlines, yes (although my business prefers Star Alliance). Travel primarily for business, sometimes pleasure.

(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Reply: Primarily international to Europe (London, Moscow, Dusseldorf, Rome, ...) - sometimes Middle East (primarily Dubai), although I might just fly with Emirates for these instances. Every now and then I also fly within the U.S. (either with Southwest or United)

(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it?
Reply: Miles & More Senator (Gold) status

(7) What is most important to you in a FFP? (upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, extra baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, free - discounted lounge access, etc.)
Reply: Good question. I'd say easy upgrades, either with few miles or free vouchers when achieving status (e.g. M&M only gives you two vouchers per renewal period, and can't be used long-distance... surely there is better options). Also important that there are not too many restrictions on these upgrades in terms of booking classes, etc. Would also be nice to not have to pay a million miles for a free ticket and not spend as much in airport fees as a flight would cost... Lastly, priority services are nice to make frequent travel easier.

(8) Preferred Airlines
Reply: I like Swiss. Don't like Lufthansa, as their business seats don't recline 180 degrees. Heard good things about BA, but never flown with them. UA is ok - nice that their seats recline 180 degrees. Generally open to other airlines, but need to have good business seats that lie flat.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Welcome to the forum !

Only one to consider: AA.
Forget about considering any other OW airline. You get AA miles on BA. A recent AA - BA ffp agreement has cross airline benefits

If you can book AA or AA codeshare and do the AA plat challenge you have a flying chance to get AA status
Look at the sticky threads on the top of AA forum: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-aadvantage-445/

There is a similar thread on the Star forum to ask about star airlines. But staying with your current program best as a first assessment

Thank you :)

So I take it the AA program is better than the one from BA?

Never heard about this challenge before, but just read up on it. Sounds like a great thing. Thanks a lot for bringing this up.

Miles & More lets you keep your status for two years. So I will stay with it as well (have like 300k miles), but thought I might join a second one, now that I live in the U.S.

Does the AA program allow for easy upgrades and free flights without much hassle?

Well, hang on a wee second here.

I agree that AA's is an excellent program, and with your flying pattern (100K miles mainly in premium cabins) you could easily hit AA Executive Platinum, Oneworld Emerald (the highest tier.) With that status comes 8 SWUs (on AA metal) and unlimited "free" upgrades on AA North American services, so certainly not to be poo-pooed.

BUT, your description of your intended likely travel patterns (a lot of international J segments ex-SAN, likely on BA metal) and your questions about upgrading do raise a point.

BA's "MFU" - miles for upgrade - works very well, and might save a lot of money going forward. Flying out of SAN, you'd purchase a Premium Economy ticket in the cheapest bucket (T) then use BA Avios for upgrading to business, or, buy a J ticket and MFU into F (which I don't think is offered on SAN-LHR, but you get the idea.) AA miles can't be used for upgrades on BA metal unless the underlying ticket is full-fare (Y, B, W etc.) which of course is usually more expensive than buying a business ticket outright.

AA elites (Plat or EXP) also are not allowed to use AA lounges on intra-North American flights, while non-AA Sapphires and Emeralds are, so if you were a BA elite you could use Admiral's Clubs in North America regardless of destination or class of service flown. Partner elites also get priority boarding and other perks on AA flights.

One achieves BA status through the accumulation of "tier points" - so many points per flight according to class of service and distance flown. To achieve BA Silver (= Oneworld Sapphire = AA Plat) you need to accumulate 600 tier points. A return trip in J from JFK to LHR would earn 140 TP in each direction; a return trip in AA F from SAN to JFK would earn 210 each way, so with the one return trip you'd have earned 280 + 420 = 700 TP, bingo. (Note you also need 4 BA-metal flights to actually make Silver, so you'd need to buy a cheapo return from London to someplace close - Paris, Edinburgh, whatever - to fulfill that criteria.)

So practically speaking you could do one of your trips crediting to BA, make Silver, get your card and use the AA lounges, then do the Plat Challenge the next time and use AA as your main mileage earner going forward. Of course you'd want to credit some to BA (using your 100% bonus) to build up your mileage there for use with MFUs going forward.

One other thing with the BA program is the existence of family/household accounts, so members of the same household can pool their mileage, a good thing if you travel a lot but other travel a little. Don't know if this applies in your case, but worth mentioning.

Oh, and AA recently changed the rules on the Plat challenge so that now you can use elite points (remember, it's 10K elite-qualifying points, not miles) gained on AA, BA or IB-designated flights, not just AA metal or codeshares.