Tedhl and crew--thanks for the hard work that went into this chart. At first read, it looks like Oneworld is more complicated than Star (and I am sure it will get more complicated).

As with Star I think I will stick with the Canadian-based carrier (CP) to earn the most benefits the quickest.

I must agree with mgm, that getting Emerald with CX is hard...especially for someone like me who was just starting with the program...

one aspect that CX's program is different from most other programs is that it does not run on a calendar year basis, but rather a full 12-month membership year...and the status miles/sectors got reset to 0 once you hit a higher level...

for example, when you just start with the program, you have to get 20 sectors or 30,000 miles to hit Silver, within 12 months...at that point when you're upgraded to Silver, the status count starts all over again, so is your membership year...you'll then have to get 40 sectors or 60,000 miles within these next 12 months...then you'll be upgraded to Gold...and then 80 sectors or 120,000 miles within the next 12 months for Diamond, or oneworld Emerald...

that means, if you start from scratch...you'll have to take at least 140 (20 + 40 + 80) sectors or 210,000 (30,000 + 60,000 + 120,000) miles before you can reach Diamond/Emerald for the first time...of course, you may qualify by miles for Silver and then by sectors for Gold, so you may not necessarily have to take 140 sectors or 210k miles...but, you get the idea...

But for CX, they have somehow a life-time membership for diamond members. Can anyone verify for me?

Before February, i.e. before changes were made to The Marco Polo Club, they have 4 membership tiers - Green, Gold, Diamond, and Lifetime...at that time, you got Lifetime status when you have been a Marco Polo Club member (i.e. at least Green) for a minimum of 10 consecutive years, and have flown a minimum of 2,000,000 kilometers (about 1.2 million miles) with CX...

After February 1, Green was renamed Silver (there's now a new "Green" non-elite tier)...and Lifetime is renamed Invitation, and is now by invitation only instead of having some specific milestones that you have to meet...I think now this is more like the "VIP" status they have in other airlines/programs...is this the lifetime membership for diamond members that Chatter is talking about ?? otherwise, if you're just Diamond, you have to re-qualify every year...

I start wondering who are invited to be the VIP by CX, the HK chief executive Mr. Tung Chi Wah?

Tedhl: Perhaps it should be added to the chart that a condition of carriers joining OW is that at least 4 sectors must have been made on the parent airline of each FF scheme you are in per year, in order to achieve any kind of elite status.

ie. If you an AA member, to achieve any kind of elite status you must have flown at least 4 sectors with AA. You cannot notch up all your miles with non AA carriers.

These rules are already in place with all OW carriers (of course it is questionable if this information has been rolled out to the service centres yet!)

Nick

Tedhl...

The old Marco Polo Club had policy of zero-ing down your balance when you reached the next level. But I had checked with CX The Club Service centre on this and they assured me that CX has done away with that requirement following the revamped status. Meaning that your balances will not be reset to zero when you qualify for say, Gold from Silver. You can accumulate as many miles within your membership period which is set as an expiry date on your card. Which means I can aim for Diamond if I set my heart to it, by November 1999.

The Club may have its disadvantages of being one of the most difficult to attain stauts on, but the priveleges of the Gold (1world equivalent-Sapphire) include guaranteed seat in economy class if booked within 72 hours on any fare is advantages.

For Diamond members (1world equivalent-Emerald), CX members can get guaranteed seat in Business Class (or economy) within 24 hours is an added bonus. Most OneWorld Emerald equivalent cannot guarantee a seat in Business Class but rather one in economy. That is quite a damper if you're holding a Business Class ticket.

Celestar340...

interesting...I've talked to the Marco Polo Service Center for more than a few times over the last few weeks too...and I've asked about whether they still have this "zero-ing" policy...and everyone I talked to seem to confirm that it's still the case...

Great Chart.
Thanks to all of you who worked so hard.

This really is a great board, I'm impressed by the caliber of the contributions and contributors. Its given me hours of innocent fun, and more laughs than the average sit.com. thanks to you all.

------------------
Keep On Landing OK!!!!
FLY2xsOK

Celestar340...

I just called The Marco Polo Club service center again and talked to one of their people...she confirmed again they still have the "zero-ing" policy and said that it does make getting Diamond a bit harder for someone starting from scratch...

I talked to 4 or 5 of them over the past few weeks on this "zero-ing" policy...basically I just talked to any member service executive who answered my call...and they all said that this rule is still in effect...Celestar340, do you have a specific contact at The Club who told you about the change ?? maybe this change is not that well known among themselves yet ??

I really hope what you said is right...that would mean I can get to Diamond status a lot faster... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Tedhl -

Hmmm. That IS odd. I spoke to only 2 representatives and they both gave me the same answer. Mind you - one of them was in the "Cantonese" language option. Let me double check on it and I'll get back to you.

C340

Celestar340...

I only talked to one English-speaking representative, and all others whom I talked to spoke Cantonese...but they all gave me the same answer...

Oneworld .html comparison chart files are now up at (thanks tedhl!):
RUBY
members.home.net/deercroft/oneworld-ruby.htm

SAPPHIRE
http://members.home.net/deercroft/oneworld-sapphire.htm

EMERALD
http://members.home.net/deercroft/oneworld-emerald.htm

THE WHOLE ONEWORLD
http://members.home.net/deercroft/oneworld.htm

For those who want the word processor version of the Oneworld comparison chart, click on the Oneworld.doc link (Word 97-59K) at the page the link below takes you to and your word processor should open and then you can use your "Save As" to save it to one of your directories. Alternately you can right click on the link and it should ask you where you want to save the file to.

http://members.home.net/deercroft/download.html


[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 04-18-99).]

A couple of changes to the oneworld chart regarding qantas.

They do not seem to be dishing out free passes any more.

Blue members (despite what it says on the web) no longer get 1 free pass, and silver probably do not get 2 free passes any more as they now have access to the lounges.

Also it should point out that the upgrades are only for domestic, and that if you are upgrading from discounted economy you only have 24 hours regardless of status.

Cheers,

mark

Tedhl -

I apologise....I have checked with CX and it confirms your suspicions about their qualifying levels. See my post somewhere else in this oneworld thread.

If you are just starting out with them, perhaps you'd like to consider another oneworld member since it is rather difficult to attain diamond in one year!

Cheers!