Am i right when i read this (https://www.aa.com/i18n/disclaimers/...rtnerChart.jsp) that means that we could fly from LAX to SYD one way for 37.5k miles per person?

That is anywhere in the USA (actually I think that includes Canada as well) to anywhere in Australia in the Y cabin.

Happy wandering

Fred

You still fly Qantas with a QF flight numbers. If you buy the AA codeshare on the same QF aircraft tends to be more expensive. Rewards flights are on QF aircraft. The only difference is the freq flier program - number

Fare bucket: is difficult:- SERFTY is the expert on the QF forum

Thanks. I found - http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ recommended here on a different thread and that shows the fare buckets.

Interestingly one of the trips i need to come back to Aus for was the same price through AA or QAN and was a QF codeshare, so if i booked as an AA flight i would get the points/miles.

I think I will wait until we are over in the US and then sign up for the AA program. All of our flights (except the initial move there) will be Jan - April next yr.

One final question; if i book tickets in my wifes name do i get the points for her travel also, or is it just for the one person?

AA or QF flight number on the QF aircraft you still get the points/miles in either program.

No. Each passenger must have an individual freq flyer account. They get the miles/points. You can book rewards flights for family with your miles

One of (few) advantages of QF is that points can be transferred between family members.

On QF tickets, fare classes Q O and N (all discount Y) do NOT credit to AA. Nor does domestic E class on QF.

If you are in the midst of a Platinum Challenge, you really do want V class or higher on a QF fare. This posts 0.50 EQM and EQP to AA. The corresponding AA codeshare in V or higher will post 1.00 EQM and EQP. I haven't checked the USA-Oz premiums for V class recently but in SEAsia they are worth it.

There is at least one thread in how to determine the QF fare class BEFORE you book/pay for it. All credit to SERFTY for the serious content in that.

Happy wandering

Fred

Which is why I have stated "eligible" some posts up Should have put "eligible" in post 326

Yeh i figured that out. Booking the same flight with AA would ensure i got the points, because the fare class on the QAN flights wouldnt get any AA points

QF vs AA award cost
 

These posts are now getting off topic.
Yes
LAX-SYD one way QF points compared to AA miles
Economy xxxQF 48,000 -AA 37,500 (*40,000)
Prem Econx QF 72,000 - AA n.a
Bus xxxxxxx QF 96,000 - AA 62,500 (*80,000)
First xxxxxx QF 144,000 - AA 72,500 (*110,000)

[* = post March 22 2016]
Plus a lot of $$$ in fees / surcharges to QF

AA miles for first is about the same as QF points for PE business.
Even if you earn less AA miles than QF points, you get more for them
One difference is AA only have seats for sale / awards from 330 days compared QF 355 days (due to the different IT systems)
And you cannot upgrade QF eligible flights with AA miles (only QF points)

Do we have a QF to AA convert ?

Edit 1:
QF upgrades with points LAX-SYD
45,000 Discount economy to Prem Eco
18,000 Economy to PE
72,000 Discount economy to business (more than an AA bus award)
45,000 Economy to business
45,000 Prem Economy to business
45,000 Business to First

Edit 2
From post 618
A QF award NYC-SYD will have a high cash fuel surcharge/fees/taxes of USD$386 paid to QF (sample was economy on QF107 on 17 Jun 2014). Have not checked what the cash price is.

Edit 3:
Checked 14 Mar 2014 economy award flight cost in QF points & co-pay fees/surcharges/taxes
QF award flight 15 May 2014 SYD-LAX QF107 48,000 points & AUD$462

QF award flight 14 May 2014 LAX-SYD QF12 48,000 points & USD$384
AA award flight 14 May 2014 LAX-SYD QF12 37,500 miles & USD$27

Edit 4
BA vs AA LHR-KUL
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/25555582-post143.html

Edit 5
AA award cost post March 22 2016 https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/r...-chart2016.jsp

Finnair Plus or other OneWorld FFP for Asia
 

Hi,

Am wondering whether my current FFP is the best for my set up and would greatly appreciate any input here.

I've been based in Shanghai for the last few years and have mainly used Finnair to travel back and forth to my native Sweden. I've now reached silver level, but am considering whether I should switch to another OneWorld FFP. I've seen in quite a few places people mentioning that Finnair Plus is not a great choice, so am curious to hear more.

Worth mentioning is that I will be moving back to Sweden shortly, but will continue to fly back and forth to Shanghai probably once a month or so. I almost always fly economy. I'm mainly after getting the airport perks, such as check-in, security fast lane, lounge access etc. Status is not really relevant to me.

Would it be worthwhile switching to another FFP? I will still most likely want to continue flying AY since it's the fastest carrier to Asia, unless someone else starts direct flights ARN-PVG.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

Welcome to FT

Look here http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html
This thread will be moved there in a few hours

Few posts about the Finnair program: tell us more (we need a resident expert)

The benefits of EY silver compared to others ffp's here (I note lounge access & not many segments to re-qualify) http://www.hotels-and-travel.de/ffp/...ld/ow_ruby.htm [Warning: may not be up to date]
Are there other ways to to earn EY miles in Sweden ?

But if you travel economy, status is the only way to get those perks!

And if you travel mostly via HEL and are on some other OW FFP than AY+, you need Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald to get access to the lounges. With your travel pattern, check how long it takes for you to attain them e.g. on BA and AA. If flying AY, also AY Silver (=OW Ruby) gives you lounge access.

Welcome to the FT!

Thank you both for your kind help.

If I could reach e.g. BAEC silver level within one year, in order to gain access to lounge etc, why would this be preferable to Finnair Plus? I'm just a little bit at a loss at how to compare them. It seems to me that Finnair Plus is the easier option, but I'm also a beginner with comparing the different programs and perhaps there are aspects I haven't considered. By using the BAEC calculator it seems I will get 90 tier points per flight ARN-PVG and back. This would mean I would need some 7 return flights to Shanghai each year. This however doesn't take into consideration that I would also need 4 eligible BA flights (or Iberia) something which I can't say for certain I would use at the moment.

Using the Finnair point system, it seems I would need 5 return flights in "Value" Economy to reach AY+ gold membership. This seems to be the same as BAEC silver, but looks like it's easier to reach (although often "Value" is more quite a bit more expensive than "Basic", which is only half value).

It seems to me I should be sticking with AY, but maybe I'm missing something.

Yes, the new ticket system certainly improves attaining status.

You could also switch to AA which gives you 100% mileage even for the deep discount AY tickets.

Hey folks,

I started flying heavily again a couple of years ago (unfortunately not consistently with a single alliance so with little to show for it), and finally decided to get things in order and pay attention to my FF options. As part of my new job, I've already done one SFO-ARN run on BA (AA challenged up to plat) and will probably have 5 more before the end of the year.

I'm starting to get the feel for the different alliances/programs, but I'm already beginning to question whether AAdvantage and oneworld were the right choice. Some things I've found annoying already:

- Inability to upgrade on oneworld partners--once I'm on BA metal my AAdvantage status seems useless

- Inability to find competitive TA codeshare fares via AA--just started looking into SFO-HEL-ARN and it will cost me 4x to book on AA, so since it's on a Finnair booking my AAdvantage status seems useless here too for upgrades, even on AA metal across the US

- Inability to redeem AAnytime awards on partner airlines, making them useless for booking european holidays for my family

I'd like to consider the BA program as an option but am not impressed with the way they seem to jack you at every opportunity when you book rewards travel--their fuel surcharge/fee structure seems like a ripoff! Alternatively, it seems like *A and SkyTeam might address some of my pain points with OneWorld--from what I've heard their policies treat their alliances more like a true partnership.

I am homed out of SFO. United would seem like a clear choice, if their service wasn't total crap--for *A I'd probably consider Lufthansa.

Can anyone advise as to whether I can do better?

I think you may have some misunderstanding on if/how one can upgrade on partners using another airline's miles. AFAIK the rules for AA/BA are the same as with UA/LH, i.e., you can upgrade a LH flight with UA miles, but only from full-fare categories, e.g. Y/B to C. The same applies to AA/BA - you can use miles to u/g on the partner, but only from full-fare base buckets.

Upgrading on AA metal with AA miles, or BA metal with BA Avios, is straightforward enough, with the hitch that BA upgrades from economy are only to premium economy; to upgrade into business class you have to purchase a PE seat in the first place.

As far as AA status being useful on BA, you do get lounge access and don't have to pay to select seats (unlike non-status pax, even in business class) so I don't know what more one could reasonably expect. Op-ups on BA aren't unknown, but it's not something one would want to count on.

Since it sounds like you're doing six ARN round trips this year, I doubt your AA status will fall, so frankly if it was me I'd just bank AA miles this year and wait to see what comes down as the result of the AA/US merger. It's likely that there will be a lot more AA-metal seats TATL in the future, so more options for upgrades (maybe...?) but it's probably safe to say that things will be different in 18 months in terms of various factors - redemption levels, etc. So I'd hang tough and see what happens with AA before I reversed-course and went with Skyteam or Star after having challenged up to Plat/Sapphire with AA.

Thanks for your reply and advice--depending on how this plays out, I may simply consider sticking this out through the merger. However, after reading your post, I immediately called AA Plat and this is what they tell me in this specific case:

The last leg of my flight is booked on AA metal on a BA itinerary as BA4329, JFK-SFO on a B fare. They told me that there is absolutely no way to upgrade me in either system--I cannot upgrade in AA because it was not booked through them, and I cannot upgrade via BA because their milage program is different. Is that inconsistent with your experience or am I going about this the wrong way?

I honestly don't know, but I'd review this page on AA's site - http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/re...radeAwards.jsp - and see if/how it applies to your itinerary.

In any case, the standard answer to hearing something with which you disagree is to hang up and try asking again.

Probably this question is better suited to the Flyertalk AA board than Oneworld, since it involves the ins and outs on one FFP.

If you fly "Value" tickets ARN-HEL-PVG and back, you will be AY+ Silver after 2.5 round trips, which gets you access to AY lounges in ARN, HEL and PVG.

Stockholm-Arlanda
Menzies Aviation Executive Lounge

Finnair Plus Platinum members, Finnair Plus Gold members, Finnair Plus Silver members, Finnair Club members, Business Class passengers
Terminal 5, after security control, to the right when entering pier F.

Helsinki, Terminal 2
Non-Schengen

Finnair Lounge
Finnair Plus Platinum members, Finnair Plus Gold members, Finnair Plus Silver members, Business Class passengers
All other non-Schengen passengers may enter for a fee (48€).
Transit hall, 2nd floor, between gates 36 and 37.
Open 06:00–24:00.

Almost@home Lounge
Finnair Plus Platinum members, Finnair Plus Gold members, Finnair Plus Silver members, Business Class passengers
All other non-Schengen passengers may enter for a fee (€48).
Transit hall, 2nd floor, next to the Transfer Service Desk 3.
Open 06:30–19:30.
Schengen

Finnair Lounge
Finnair Plus Platinum members, Finnair Plus Gold members, Finnair Plus Silver members, Finnair Club members, Business Class passengers.
Transit hall, 2nd floor, above gates 25 and 26.
Open 06:00–24:00.

Lounge 2
Finnair Plus Platinum members, Finnair Plus Gold members, Finnair Plus Silver members, Finnair Club members, Business Class passengers
All other passengers may enter for a fee (€48).
Transit hall, 2nd floor, above gate 25.
Open 05:30–20:00.

Shanghai/Pudong International
Dragon Air and Cathay Pacific Lounge

Finnair Plus Platinum members, Finnair Plus Gold members, Finnair Plus Silver members, Finnair Club members, Business Class passengers
Terminal 2, after security control, 4th floor, lift to lounge opposite gate D69.

Actually, O class on QF flight numbers does earn if credited to AA, however at an EQP earning rate of 25%.

http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/ea...nes/qantas.jsp

I'm currently using AB Topbonus as my only OW card since it's also valid for EY which I'm flying from time to time. Maybe someone could confirm that it's not much worse than other OW programmes when it comes to collecting status miles?
I'm DUS based, with ~35k flights in medium-priced Eco, mostly within Europe or via AUH to Asia. With Topbonus I might at least make it to OW ruby.

Though no one replied to my post back in October when I asked for opinions/help, I figured I'd try once more. I'll be moving to the UAE at the end of the summer. I'm already :-:A Gold, now looking to see what OneWorld program would be best for me.

(1) What is your home airport?

Stateside: Usually PDX, though LAX occasionally.
UAE: I'll be living in Al Ain, so both AUH and DXB are both close.

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

With my new job contract, I imagine I'll rack up at least 40k (possibly over 60k) in Economy per year.

(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ? ( First, Business, Economy etc.)

Nearly always Economy.

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

I'm almost always flying for personal vacations. And the few times it's specifically for work... I buy my ticket, but it has to be Economy.

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

I'll be going back to the US fairly regularly, with a random trips to Asia, Europe, and Africa thrown in there.

(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it? (AA Executive Platinum, QF Gold, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro, etc)

A3 Gold.

(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.)

1. extra baggage allowance
2. low qualifications for maintaining status.
3. longer periods of status staying valid.


(8) Preferred Airlines

I really haven't experienced too many that have won me over (yet). In the states, I've probably had better experiences with Alaska Airlines more than most other ones.

I'd just like to have a OW option to add to my :-:A Gold status... something that would be useful when flying out of DXB or AUH.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Maybe AAdvantage ...

but that will only get me Sapphire on OneWorld.
do I have a shot of snagging Emerald with any of their FF programs, assuming I clock in over 60k a year?
at first glance, it seems like Royal Jordanian's Royal Plus is the only one I could hope to maintain (55k to achieve, 50 to maintain).

does OneWorld have any programs that allow you to maintain a status for more than 1 year before needing to qualify again?

jargonscott
Look here but these may not be up to date
http://www.hotels-and-travel.de/ffp/...ow_emerald.htm
http://www.hotels-and-travel.de/ffp/...ld/ow_ruby.htm
http://www.hotels-and-travel.de/ffp/...w_sapphire.htm

No. RJ you need to fly 55k plus 42 segments with 12 segments on RJ.

I would say AA is the best program for you. Or look at a Middle Eastern carrier instead. Its not easy to get OW Emerald with only economy flying.

Are you sure it's AND, not OR?

Sorry, you're correct. Its either or, not and. So seems like the easiest OW program to gain Emerald status in with economy flying. However, I'd want to check the earn/burn rates compared with say AA, as the other than access to first lounges, checkin and baggage, theres no other real benefits unless flying RJ.

Agreed. Mile accrual (AA +100%, RJ +35%) and redemption (??) is really quite good with AA. At the moment I'm happier with AA OWS than to go after RJ OWE.

(1) What is your home airport?
Will be Adelaide (ADL)
(2) How many miles do you usually fly each year & in what class?
probably 40-60k, economy
(3) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
Discount Economy
(4) Can you choose your airlines and/or, class of service?. Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Choice likely constraint by lowest price, mostly work based (with private use)
(5) Which routes do you fly most often
Australia-Europe/US (at least 2x of which at least 1 to Europe/Germany)
(6) Do you have FFP status of any kind of OW or other airline at present? What is it?
A3 (*A Gold)
(7) What is most important to you in a FFP?
not sure, likely some form of redemption
(8) Preferred Airlines
regarding OW no real knowledge (*A Asian>European>US carriers)

In September I will be moving to Australia and due to related *A gaps in their network will likely switch at least some flying to OW. I am now trying to find out what is the best OW FFP for me. Will likely fly at least 2x a year to either Europe or US (maybe a third one as well) plus potentially some domestic or Asia. I believe that I can pick some of the details though since this is mostly work-based I have likely to take the cheapest economy option.

Until now I was mostly after status for the convenience since most of my flying was short-haul Europe plus a few TATL, but with the focus on very few (but very long) long-haul I am probably looking more for redemption value.

From reading this thread I gather that it comes down to AA vs QF, the first being better for economy flying, the second, well, because it's Australia...
Additionally AA's flight redemption look better, but QF does have the possibility to redeem for money value (and I might be able to get a CC)

Since I guess that most of the flights will be QF I might end up using both, credit to AA when the fare class turns out to be right, to QF if not.... Any other OW alternatives for this scenario ?

Additionally I have a RTW (mostly on QF numbers, though I think not an official OW one) in June with close to 25k miles, which should give me AA Gld but will only get me halfway to QF silver.

Hi Floplo,

I cant help with OW stuff but i used to live in ADL so if you have any questions PM me

Yeah, I just got curious about the accrual difference and looked them up. I'd certainly be clocking in more miles on American more often than any Middle East carriers. So with RJ's weak accrual rate on partner airlines, it would probably take me just as long to reach their 55k as it would for me to hit 100k on AA.

According to what I've seen online, it seems that AA OWS wouldn't allow me any extra baggage pieces and/or weight.
So I can only get that perk with OWE (regardless of airline)?
Since the extra baggage bit is one of main motivators for maintaining my status, this is disheartening.

Extra baggage is a new official OWE benefit from this year on, however many carriers already extended this benefit to OWS (even OWR in some cases!) and above:

- AA (OWR+)
- BA (OWS+)
- AY (OWR+)

are there any OW carriers that allow you more than a year before having to re-qualify?
i imagine there are very few of them in OW,*A, or SkyTeam.

Many have a "soft landing" so if you are Emerald and don't requalify then the next year you will be Sapphire.

Moving continents. Where to build loyalty?
 

Hi all, this is my first post! I stumbled upon FT a few months ago and I've been (naturally) hooked ever since. I wanted to ask for your opinion: I am in the process of moving to the NY area from the UK. I'm gold with BAEC but I don't see myself retaining that as I will not need to travel for work outside the US after my move here. Any domestic travel will most likely be limited to fewer than 10 segments per year. I will however need to do 3-4 JFK-ATH roundtrips per year and I would certainly like to do those in J. BA are pretty pricey and award seats are tricky for that route, hence my question. Do you think I'm better off starting from scratch elsewhere?

I can't really advise if you should switch or not. I will note that, if you do switch, who you should fly on depends on where in the NY area you live. Long Island/Brooklyn/Queens? Delta and American are good choices, though skymiles obviously isn't all that great. Also, Delta does seasonal JFK-ATH nonstop. NJ? United is your best shot because of fortress Newark. Manhattan and the Bronx, you could reasonably argue any of the three.

Thanks for the reply. I don't see the airport being an issue, I'm happy to travel to any of the 3. Would switching to AA be easier given the gold BA status and the soft landing to silver next year? Would it be cheaper to book rewards on BA metal with AA points?

This is a good candidate thread to merge with our existing sticky thread regarding choosing a Oneworld FFP.

Gardyloo
Oneworld moderator

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

Booking BA award seats with AAdvantage miles will still incur BA's hefty surcharges. The number of miles required might be more or less than the number of Avios required, depending on exact routing, class of service, etc.