Advice: AAdvantage vs QFF for my specific pattern
May 8, 2013 | 9:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 2
Advice: AAdvantage vs QFF for my specific pattern
Hi All
I asked this question in the Australian Frequent Flyer boards but would also like to get opinions from this community.
I'm relatively new to frequent flying and am currently trying to decide whether I should switch FFP from QFF to Aadvantage. After browsing through past posts it seems the general consensus is that AAdvantage is superior to QFF for earn/burn of points, but as always, which one is better depends on the individual situation.
A colleague of mine has done the numbers which suggests that AAdvantage is indeed better for redeeming points for long haul economy flights based on a flying pattern similar to mine. However, I'd like to:
1. Reality test that with the experienced flyers here
2. Get a view on whether the same outcome would be reached if I specifically wanted to redeem points for premium cabins only if I was with AAdvantage vs upgrading to premium cabins with points if I was with QFF
3. Understand whether I would be able to achieve top tier status on AAdvantage (the numbers seem to suggest it would take less than 1 year)
My flying pattern:
~70 domestic one way flights a year
~1/3 of those are MEL-SYD or SYD-MEL
~1/3 of those are MEL-PER or PER-MEL
~1/6 of those are MEL-BNE or BNE-MEL
~1/6 of those are MEL-ADL or ADL-MEL
All tickets are fully-flexible economy or one class below that (partially flexible?) with the exception of MEL-PER/PER-MEL which are business
There may be 1 or 2 international return flights per year, flying business class to random destinations
Employer paid (I read somewhere that we can earn an additional point for every $10 if on AAdvantage?)
Other point accrual methods:
Relatively low CC spend (<$2000/month) - currently linked to QFF but happy to switch to linking to SPG (and either keeping them for hotel redemption or converting to miles)
Current status:
QFF Gold
Not an AAdvantage member
Let me know if you need any other information to get a more relevant answer.
Thanks in advance guys!
I asked this question in the Australian Frequent Flyer boards but would also like to get opinions from this community.
I'm relatively new to frequent flying and am currently trying to decide whether I should switch FFP from QFF to Aadvantage. After browsing through past posts it seems the general consensus is that AAdvantage is superior to QFF for earn/burn of points, but as always, which one is better depends on the individual situation.
A colleague of mine has done the numbers which suggests that AAdvantage is indeed better for redeeming points for long haul economy flights based on a flying pattern similar to mine. However, I'd like to:
1. Reality test that with the experienced flyers here
2. Get a view on whether the same outcome would be reached if I specifically wanted to redeem points for premium cabins only if I was with AAdvantage vs upgrading to premium cabins with points if I was with QFF
3. Understand whether I would be able to achieve top tier status on AAdvantage (the numbers seem to suggest it would take less than 1 year)
My flying pattern:
~70 domestic one way flights a year
~1/3 of those are MEL-SYD or SYD-MEL
~1/3 of those are MEL-PER or PER-MEL
~1/6 of those are MEL-BNE or BNE-MEL
~1/6 of those are MEL-ADL or ADL-MEL
All tickets are fully-flexible economy or one class below that (partially flexible?) with the exception of MEL-PER/PER-MEL which are business
There may be 1 or 2 international return flights per year, flying business class to random destinations
Employer paid (I read somewhere that we can earn an additional point for every $10 if on AAdvantage?)
Other point accrual methods:
Relatively low CC spend (<$2000/month) - currently linked to QFF but happy to switch to linking to SPG (and either keeping them for hotel redemption or converting to miles)
Current status:
QFF Gold
Not an AAdvantage member
Let me know if you need any other information to get a more relevant answer.
Thanks in advance guys!
May 8, 2013 | 1:50 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,128
With 70 flights a year, you will definitely attain platinum status with AA . Based on the profile you give, all flights will be eligable for mileage accrual and may be all eligable for full mileage accrual and also possibly eligable for 1.5 qualifying points per mile flown
As a platinum member you will earn 100% bonus on miles and get a 500 mile min earning
Working on 72 flights ( since it divides by 6 ) and based on being a platinum member. Whilst you attain status earning will be a bit less
1/3 being SYD-MEL and 1/6 being MEL-ADL
36 x SYD-MEL/ADL-MEL in economy
Since < 500 miles
Min mile guarantee of 500 will apply plus will get 500 bonus for platinum => earning will be 1000 miles per flight.
Total 36,000 miles earned
This is same earning as Qantas gives
12 MEL-BNE
MEL-BNE is 857 miles
Assuming you are in Y,B,H, or K class you will earn 100% base miles
If in a lower earning class, you will earn 50% miles
BAsed on your desription of fully flexible or flexi travel, likely to be 100% miles earning
at 100% earning - will earn 859 plus 859 bonus = 1718 per flight
at 50% earning - will earn 500 + 500 = 1000 per flight
so will earn on 12 flights between 12,000 and 20,616 miles
12 MEL-PER in business class
MEL-PER is 1682 base miles plus 1682 bonus miles plus 421 miles for busines class
so earning is 3785 miles per flight
total on 12 flights is 45,420 miles
total for year is between 93,468 and 101,988 credited to AAdvantage as a AA platinum member depending on the MEL-BNE class
If you did same travel as a QF Gold member you would earn
1000 per flight on MEL-SYD/ADL = 36,000 total
1504 per flight on MEL-BNE = 18,048 total
1682 base on MEL-PER plus 421 business bonus plus 75% gold bonus of 1262 = 3365 => 40,380 total
Total earning is 94,428
As an AA member, your actual mileage earning will be about the same or slightly higher depending on the MEL-BNE class
AA redemption costs are generally much better than QF's , so I would have no hesitation in recommending that you switch to AA. You should pop to AA site and see redemption costs and compare. Just a few decent options from Melbourne are
Business class from Melbourne to anywhere else in Australia or new zealand is 17,500 AA miles one way
Business Class one way to Europe is 60k AA miles vs 128k QF miles
1st Class one way to Europe is 80k AA miles vs 192k QF miles
Business class one way to USA is 62.5k AA miles vs 96k-112k QF Miles
1st class one was to USA is 72.5k AA miles vs 144k-168k QF miles
Business class one way to Singapore 35k AA miles vs 60k QF miles
1st class one way to Singapre 45k AA miles vs 90k QF miles
On top of that, as long as you avoid flying on BA, you will pay no fuel surcharges on the awards when redeemed using AA miles. On long haul flights, QF's surcharges can be very high e.g. $368 one way on a business class MEL-LHR . So not only would you pay 68,000 additional miles for the flight but you would also have a $368 additional cash payment to make if using QF miles
With your travel pattern, I think you will be well ahead by switching to AA and can get about a 100% improvement in award values over staying with QF if you are redeeming in business or 1st class.
Obviously, your mileage earning will be initially lower since you will not have status with AA , so will not be initially earning the 100% bonuses until you reach platinum.
I would suggest signing up for the AA Platinum challenge some time from June 16 at a point where you will have 2 Perth trips within 3 months of each other. 2 business class r/ts to Perth can complete the AA platinum challenge and get you straight to Platinum status with AA. Just make sure to sign up for platinum challenge starting on or after 16 June so that it ensures you will be platinum for next year and so only have to worry about status renewal as from 1 Jan 2014
For the credit card spending, if you have accrual going to Starwood , then these can then be transferred to AA at 20k SPG gives 25K AA miles
As a platinum member you will earn 100% bonus on miles and get a 500 mile min earning
Working on 72 flights ( since it divides by 6 ) and based on being a platinum member. Whilst you attain status earning will be a bit less
1/3 being SYD-MEL and 1/6 being MEL-ADL
36 x SYD-MEL/ADL-MEL in economy
Since < 500 miles
Min mile guarantee of 500 will apply plus will get 500 bonus for platinum => earning will be 1000 miles per flight.
Total 36,000 miles earned
This is same earning as Qantas gives
12 MEL-BNE
MEL-BNE is 857 miles
Assuming you are in Y,B,H, or K class you will earn 100% base miles
If in a lower earning class, you will earn 50% miles
BAsed on your desription of fully flexible or flexi travel, likely to be 100% miles earning
at 100% earning - will earn 859 plus 859 bonus = 1718 per flight
at 50% earning - will earn 500 + 500 = 1000 per flight
so will earn on 12 flights between 12,000 and 20,616 miles
12 MEL-PER in business class
MEL-PER is 1682 base miles plus 1682 bonus miles plus 421 miles for busines class
so earning is 3785 miles per flight
total on 12 flights is 45,420 miles
total for year is between 93,468 and 101,988 credited to AAdvantage as a AA platinum member depending on the MEL-BNE class
If you did same travel as a QF Gold member you would earn
1000 per flight on MEL-SYD/ADL = 36,000 total
1504 per flight on MEL-BNE = 18,048 total
1682 base on MEL-PER plus 421 business bonus plus 75% gold bonus of 1262 = 3365 => 40,380 total
Total earning is 94,428
As an AA member, your actual mileage earning will be about the same or slightly higher depending on the MEL-BNE class
AA redemption costs are generally much better than QF's , so I would have no hesitation in recommending that you switch to AA. You should pop to AA site and see redemption costs and compare. Just a few decent options from Melbourne are
Business class from Melbourne to anywhere else in Australia or new zealand is 17,500 AA miles one way
Business Class one way to Europe is 60k AA miles vs 128k QF miles
1st Class one way to Europe is 80k AA miles vs 192k QF miles
Business class one way to USA is 62.5k AA miles vs 96k-112k QF Miles
1st class one was to USA is 72.5k AA miles vs 144k-168k QF miles
Business class one way to Singapore 35k AA miles vs 60k QF miles
1st class one way to Singapre 45k AA miles vs 90k QF miles
On top of that, as long as you avoid flying on BA, you will pay no fuel surcharges on the awards when redeemed using AA miles. On long haul flights, QF's surcharges can be very high e.g. $368 one way on a business class MEL-LHR . So not only would you pay 68,000 additional miles for the flight but you would also have a $368 additional cash payment to make if using QF miles
With your travel pattern, I think you will be well ahead by switching to AA and can get about a 100% improvement in award values over staying with QF if you are redeeming in business or 1st class.
Obviously, your mileage earning will be initially lower since you will not have status with AA , so will not be initially earning the 100% bonuses until you reach platinum.
I would suggest signing up for the AA Platinum challenge some time from June 16 at a point where you will have 2 Perth trips within 3 months of each other. 2 business class r/ts to Perth can complete the AA platinum challenge and get you straight to Platinum status with AA. Just make sure to sign up for platinum challenge starting on or after 16 June so that it ensures you will be platinum for next year and so only have to worry about status renewal as from 1 Jan 2014
For the credit card spending, if you have accrual going to Starwood , then these can then be transferred to AA at 20k SPG gives 25K AA miles
Last edited by Dave Noble; May 8, 2013 at 2:27 pm
May 8, 2013 | 2:14 pm
#3
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Katoomba (Blue Mountains)
Programs: Mucci
Posts: 8,083
With 70 flights a year, you will definitely attain platinum status with AA . Based on the profile you give, all flights will be eligable for mileage accrual and may be all eligable for full mileage accrual and also possibly eligable for 1.5 qualifying points per mile flown
As a platinum member you will earn 100% bonus on miles and get a 500 mile min earning
Working on 72 flights ( since it divides by 6 ) and based on being a platinum member. Whilst you attain status earning will be a bit less
1/3 being SYD-MEL and 1/6 being MEL-ADL
36 x SYD-MEL/ADL-MEL in economy
Since < 500 miles
Min mile guarantee of 500 will apply plus will get 500 bonus for platinum => earning will be 1000 miles per flight.
Total 36,000 miles earned
This is same earning as Qantas gives
12 MEL-BNE
MEL-BNE is 857 miles
Assuming you are in Y,B,H, or K class you will earn 100% base miles
If in a lower earning class, you will earn 50% miles
BAsed on your desription of fully flexible or flexi travel, likely to be 100% miles earning
at 100% earning - will earn 859 plus 859 bonus = 1718 per flight
at 50% earning - will earn 500 + 500 = 1000 per flight
so will earn on 12 flights between 12,000 and 20,616 miles
12 MEL-PER in business class
MEL-PER is 1682 base miles plus 1682 bonus miles plus 421 miles for busines class
so earning is 3785 miles per flight
total on 12 flights is 45,420 miles
total for year is between 93,468 and 101,988 credited to AAdvantage as a AA platinum member depending on the MEL-BNE class
If you did same travel as a QF Gold member you would earn
1000 per flight on MEL-SYD/ADL = 36,000 total
1504 per flight on MEL-BNE = 18,048 total
1682 base on MEL-PER plus 421 business bonus plus 75% gold bonus of 1262 = 3365 => 40,380 total
Total earning is 94,428
As an AA member, your actual mileage earning will be about the same or slightly higher depending on the MEL-BNE class
AA redemption costs are generally much better than QF's , so I would have no hesitation in recommending that you switch to AA. You should pop to AA site and see redemption costs and compare. Just a few decent options from Melbourne are
Business class from Melbourne to anywhere else in Australia or new zealand is 17,500 AA miles one way
Business Class one way to Europe is 60k AA miles vs 128k QF miles
1st Class one way to Europe is 80k AA miles vs 192k QF miles
Business class one way to USA is 62.5k AA miles vs 96k-112k QF Miles
1st class one was to USA is 72.5k AA miles vs 144k-168k QF miles
Business class one way to Singapore 35k AA miles vs 60k QF miles
1st class one way to Singapre 45k AA miles vs 90k QF miles
On top of that, as long as you avoid flying on BA, you will pay no fuel surcharges on the awards when redeemed using AA miles. On long haul flights, QF's surcharges can be very high e.g. $368 one way on a business class MEL-LHR . So not only would you pay 68,000 additional miles for the flight but you would also have a $368 additional cash payment to make if using QF miles
Obviously, your mileage earning will be initially lower since you will not have status with AA , so will not be initially earning the 100% bonuses until you reach platinum.
I would suggest signing up for the AA Platinum challenge some time from June 16 at a point where you will have 2 Perth trips within 3 months of each other. 2 business class r/ts to Perth can complete the AA platinum challenge and get you straight to Platinum status with AA. Just make sure to sign up for platinum challenge starting on or after 16 June so that it ensures you will be platinum for next year and so only have to worry about status renewal as from 1 Jan 2014
For the credit card spending, if you have accrual going to Starwood , then these can then be transferred to AA at 20k SPG gives 25K AA miles
As a platinum member you will earn 100% bonus on miles and get a 500 mile min earning
Working on 72 flights ( since it divides by 6 ) and based on being a platinum member. Whilst you attain status earning will be a bit less
1/3 being SYD-MEL and 1/6 being MEL-ADL
36 x SYD-MEL/ADL-MEL in economy
Since < 500 miles
Min mile guarantee of 500 will apply plus will get 500 bonus for platinum => earning will be 1000 miles per flight.
Total 36,000 miles earned
This is same earning as Qantas gives
12 MEL-BNE
MEL-BNE is 857 miles
Assuming you are in Y,B,H, or K class you will earn 100% base miles
If in a lower earning class, you will earn 50% miles
BAsed on your desription of fully flexible or flexi travel, likely to be 100% miles earning
at 100% earning - will earn 859 plus 859 bonus = 1718 per flight
at 50% earning - will earn 500 + 500 = 1000 per flight
so will earn on 12 flights between 12,000 and 20,616 miles
12 MEL-PER in business class
MEL-PER is 1682 base miles plus 1682 bonus miles plus 421 miles for busines class
so earning is 3785 miles per flight
total on 12 flights is 45,420 miles
total for year is between 93,468 and 101,988 credited to AAdvantage as a AA platinum member depending on the MEL-BNE class
If you did same travel as a QF Gold member you would earn
1000 per flight on MEL-SYD/ADL = 36,000 total
1504 per flight on MEL-BNE = 18,048 total
1682 base on MEL-PER plus 421 business bonus plus 75% gold bonus of 1262 = 3365 => 40,380 total
Total earning is 94,428
As an AA member, your actual mileage earning will be about the same or slightly higher depending on the MEL-BNE class
AA redemption costs are generally much better than QF's , so I would have no hesitation in recommending that you switch to AA. You should pop to AA site and see redemption costs and compare. Just a few decent options from Melbourne are
Business class from Melbourne to anywhere else in Australia or new zealand is 17,500 AA miles one way
Business Class one way to Europe is 60k AA miles vs 128k QF miles
1st Class one way to Europe is 80k AA miles vs 192k QF miles
Business class one way to USA is 62.5k AA miles vs 96k-112k QF Miles
1st class one was to USA is 72.5k AA miles vs 144k-168k QF miles
Business class one way to Singapore 35k AA miles vs 60k QF miles
1st class one way to Singapre 45k AA miles vs 90k QF miles
On top of that, as long as you avoid flying on BA, you will pay no fuel surcharges on the awards when redeemed using AA miles. On long haul flights, QF's surcharges can be very high e.g. $368 one way on a business class MEL-LHR . So not only would you pay 68,000 additional miles for the flight but you would also have a $368 additional cash payment to make if using QF miles
Obviously, your mileage earning will be initially lower since you will not have status with AA , so will not be initially earning the 100% bonuses until you reach platinum.
I would suggest signing up for the AA Platinum challenge some time from June 16 at a point where you will have 2 Perth trips within 3 months of each other. 2 business class r/ts to Perth can complete the AA platinum challenge and get you straight to Platinum status with AA. Just make sure to sign up for platinum challenge starting on or after 16 June so that it ensures you will be platinum for next year and so only have to worry about status renewal as from 1 Jan 2014
For the credit card spending, if you have accrual going to Starwood , then these can then be transferred to AA at 20k SPG gives 25K AA miles
Dave
May 8, 2013 | 2:22 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,128
May 8, 2013 | 2:58 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: UA, QF, VS, AA, US, HH, SPG
Posts: 974
There is one more consideration from my perspective when considering the AA vs QF programs. The QF booking window opens about one month earlier than AA (ie 355 days vs 330 days) and during that time QF members grab all of the rare premium award seats to/from international destinations (particularly LAX and DFW). (There are many more OW options when flying to Europe).
As a member of both QF and AA with a ton of points in AA and not many in QF - I often watch (via Expert Flyer alerts) award seats which I would like to book disappear before I can book them with AA points. Using AA (or QF) you can of course route via Asia to the USA using JL or CX but with AA this is considered 2 awards making the redemption rate much closer to QF's. Nevertheless I abandoned QF many years ago due to their poor earn/burn rates.
As a member of both QF and AA with a ton of points in AA and not many in QF - I often watch (via Expert Flyer alerts) award seats which I would like to book disappear before I can book them with AA points. Using AA (or QF) you can of course route via Asia to the USA using JL or CX but with AA this is considered 2 awards making the redemption rate much closer to QF's. Nevertheless I abandoned QF many years ago due to their poor earn/burn rates.
May 8, 2013 | 3:30 pm
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,128
There is one more consideration from my perspective when considering the AA vs QF programs. The QF booking window opens about one month earlier than AA (ie 355 days vs 330 days) and during that time QF members grab all of the rare premium award seats to/from international destinations (particularly LAX and DFW). (There are many more OW options when flying to Europe).
As a member of both QF and AA with a ton of points in AA and not many in QF - I often watch (via Expert Flyer alerts) award seats which I would like to book disappear before I can book them with AA points. Using AA (or QF) you can of course route via Asia to the USA using JL or CX but with AA this is considered 2 awards making the redemption rate much closer to QF's. Nevertheless I abandoned QF many years ago due to their poor earn/burn rates.
As a member of both QF and AA with a ton of points in AA and not many in QF - I often watch (via Expert Flyer alerts) award seats which I would like to book disappear before I can book them with AA points. Using AA (or QF) you can of course route via Asia to the USA using JL or CX but with AA this is considered 2 awards making the redemption rate much closer to QF's. Nevertheless I abandoned QF many years ago due to their poor earn/burn rates.
Even paying the extra 25k AA miles still saves 42-74k miles plus saves $710 in "fuel surcharges". Also, with USA, Qantas business class awards will only book into economy on 2 class AA services within the USA when connecting beyond LAX/DFW whereas AA business awards will book into 1st class domestically
You are of course correct that AA restricts bookings to 330 days before departure rather than 355; that had slipped my mind ( mainly because I have never tried booking an award that far out ). Another thing in AA's favour is that date/time changes chan be made free of charge to award bookings
A negative that I forgot is that AA's cancellation penalty on awards is USD150
Last edited by Dave Noble; May 8, 2013 at 3:38 pm
May 8, 2013 | 3:55 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattDisc.►HiltonGold►ALL Plat.
Posts: 22,326
Just to be clear, it is 353 days when Qantas inventory becomes available.
FWIW, on Saturday I booked a Business class any-seat award AKL-LAX-AKL via East coast Oz, returning on the 20th April. Cost was NZD810 + 168K QFF points This travel will earn 520 SC's and 53,000 QFF points. That about as good as it gets for QFF international return awards.
FWIW, on Saturday I booked a Business class any-seat award AKL-LAX-AKL via East coast Oz, returning on the 20th April. Cost was NZD810 + 168K QFF points This travel will earn 520 SC's and 53,000 QFF points. That about as good as it gets for QFF international return awards.
Last edited by serfty; May 8, 2013 at 4:05 pm
May 8, 2013 | 5:16 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,911
On QF you can only upgrade using QF points on QF flights on QF metal (no codeshares)
On AA generally you can only upgrade using AA miles on AA flights on AA metal. There in as AA-BA agreement where some flights of the the other can be upgraded, subject to conditions
QF upgrades are a lottery. On international flights you only find out of your upgrade request has been successful just before the flight. But anyway an AA reward is competitive with a QF upgrade, especially on long haul. Look here post 330 as Dave's post above
Other points
- Some fares on QF do not get AA miles (generally low cost)
- Some fares on AA do not get QF miles (generally low cost)
- QF Gold get QF club access & based on class of travel.
- AA lounge access is by paid membership only for US domestic travel.
- AA status is a calender year where as QF is annual based on the month you join the FFP
- AA do not have premium economy
More here:http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onewo...help-here.html with links to similar questions in post 2
OW Status tiers
OneWorld Emerald --QF Platinum --AA Executive Platinum
OneWorld Sapphire--QF Gold -----AA Platinum
OneWorld Ruby-----QF Silver-----AA Gold
OneWorld n/a------QF Bronze----AA Advantage
http://www.oneworld.com/ffp/lounge-access/
AFF thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.c...ing-50176.html
Last edited by Mwenenzi; May 8, 2013 at 9:43 pm Reason: formatting
May 8, 2013 | 8:51 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: UK (LAS)
Programs: AA Ex Plat, ICH Plat RA, Hyatt Diamond, LAN Prem Silver
Posts: 544
Wouldn't the OP be very close to attaining Executive Platinum status?
Based on 70 flights and taking the average per flight as 953 miles per flight
the elite qualifying pts would amount to 66710 plus 19611 for the Perth business class flights plus 2 International flights which should pass or come very close to the 100,000 threshold.
The OP would then receive 8 Systemwide upgrades which can yield an extra 200,000 miles on Coupon Connection and the OP would also be able to cancel award bookings at no charge. The OP would also receive the 2 extra benefits for reaching 40k and 75k miles.
Personally I would then keep the Qantas miles earnt through one's credit card for the occasional upgrade as you will have more than enough AA miles.
Based on 70 flights and taking the average per flight as 953 miles per flight
the elite qualifying pts would amount to 66710 plus 19611 for the Perth business class flights plus 2 International flights which should pass or come very close to the 100,000 threshold.
The OP would then receive 8 Systemwide upgrades which can yield an extra 200,000 miles on Coupon Connection and the OP would also be able to cancel award bookings at no charge. The OP would also receive the 2 extra benefits for reaching 40k and 75k miles.
Personally I would then keep the Qantas miles earnt through one's credit card for the occasional upgrade as you will have more than enough AA miles.
May 8, 2013 | 9:06 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QF Gold LTG (ow Saph), HHon Silver, Marriot Gold
Posts: 3,007
Some other points to consider.
- AA status does not give access to AA lounges when on AA domestic itins (not that this appears that relevant to the OP)
- You can only upgrade QF segments with QF points (important for OP given the amount of travel on QF)
- QF appears to favour its own elites for opups
- AA status does not give access to AA lounges when on AA domestic itins (not that this appears that relevant to the OP)
- You can only upgrade QF segments with QF points (important for OP given the amount of travel on QF)
- QF appears to favour its own elites for opups
May 8, 2013 | 9:22 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,911
Wouldn't the OP be very close to attaining Executive Platinum status?
Based on 70 flights and taking the average per flight as 953 miles per flight
the elite qualifying pts would amount to 66710 plus 19611 for the Perth business class flights plus 2 International flights which should pass or come very close to the 100,000 threshold.
The OP would then receive 8 Systemwide upgrades which can yield an extra 200,000 miles on Coupon Connection and the OP would also be able to cancel award bookings at no charge. The OP would also receive the 2 extra benefits for reaching 40k and 75k miles..
Based on 70 flights and taking the average per flight as 953 miles per flight
the elite qualifying pts would amount to 66710 plus 19611 for the Perth business class flights plus 2 International flights which should pass or come very close to the 100,000 threshold.
The OP would then receive 8 Systemwide upgrades which can yield an extra 200,000 miles on Coupon Connection and the OP would also be able to cancel award bookings at no charge. The OP would also receive the 2 extra benefits for reaching 40k and 75k miles..
AA very valuable SWU's are for AA flights. Can they be used on BA transatlantic flights? Swapping on Coupon Connection has its risk. And OP is not yet eligible for Coupon Connection access (180 days/180 posts ?)
May 8, 2013 | 11:10 pm
#13
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,593
The OP has not stated what burn they want to use the points for, so it is impossible to determine whether AAdvantage or QFF is optimal. Lots of good points mentioned on this thread, for differentiating between the 2 programs. Aadvantage is particularly valuable for certain kinds of redemptions (ironically enough this includes Aus/NZ -- a fringe area for AA), while QFF is worth more when flying QF and not Oneworld. Also for specific routes QFF can be cheaper than Aadvantage (maybe 10% of the time), surprisingly enough. There is no single answer as to what is optimal for earn, burn and status. I've kept both AA EXP and QFF Platinum for over a decade because of this but have chosen not to get QFF P1 as it is simply not worthwhile. Finally many corporate fares on QFF, that are "flexible" also earn 0 on Aadvantage, so it might be a moot point for the OP. There are even some J fares that earn 0 (but unless OP works for Macquarie, this won't be likely).
May 9, 2013 | 12:18 am
#14
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STR/SYD/SMF
Programs: QF LTG / P1 , LH LT SEN / HON, OZ LT Diamond +, Marriott LT PT, HH Diamond,
Posts: 15,149
Welcome to FT and the friendly QF forum, Aerials13! Since you are comparing the benefits of two oneworld frequent flyer programs I am moving this thread to the OW forum for better coverage.
May 9, 2013 | 11:13 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: UK (LAS)
Programs: AA Ex Plat, ICH Plat RA, Hyatt Diamond, LAN Prem Silver
Posts: 544
Timing has a lot to with getting and attaining status. Needs to be in the year
AA very valuable SWU's are for AA flights. Can they be used on BA transatlantic flights? Swapping on Coupon Connection has its risk. And OP is not yet eligible for Coupon Connection access (180 days/180 posts ?)
AA very valuable SWU's are for AA flights. Can they be used on BA transatlantic flights? Swapping on Coupon Connection has its risk. And OP is not yet eligible for Coupon Connection access (180 days/180 posts ?)
issue would be relevant. It would be the only reason I would even bother with the Qantas FFP.
I don't think posting 180 times would be too difficult. Personally I have never had a problem trading Evips through CC. Even if he only traded 4 he would accrue another 100k miles. Not to be scoffed at.
EVIP's can only be used on AA flights.
One can upgrade flights on BA & Iberia with AA miles but the pts
required are risible.
I was delighted to see that Qantas finally realized that it might be a good idea to offer thier customers the ability to request an upgrade at the airport rather than give all the spare seats in business class etc to their staff.