Thank for all your advise, but I am still uncertain. Everything looked so nice for CX (out of the way of the AA/QF dispute) but then I saw the CX rules for obtaining status miles and forgot about it. AA seems to be the best bet, BESIDES, Dave, if you are really sure with their requirement of showing 4 segments with AA per year. I cannot find this on the AA website. Is this the same game for BA?

Whats the issue with CX status miles?

the 4 segments is in the Ts & Cs

Its listed on the website ww.aa.com
go to Aadvantage ->Aadvantage member guide ->Elite Status ->Qualification requirements

"Qualification Requirements

You must fly at least four segments on American Airlines and American Eagle to qualify for AAdvantage Gold®, AAdvantage Platinum® or AAdvantage Executive Platinum® status within the qualifying year. "

I know that Qantas have such a rule and I presume that BA has such a rule, but cannot confirm it.

Dave

[This message has been edited by Dave Noble (edited 01-28-2002).]

One thing I really like about AA is that all miles count towards lifetime status and that all fares are upgradeable. You can't upgrade with miles really cheap fares on most other airlines.

You can also earn miles with the Citi AAdvantage card - it is available in Germany. If you do choose AA, I would recommend the card so that you can start to maximise your miles.

More details are available at www.citi-aadvantage.de


------------------
I Love New York

AAdvantage : no miles with BA on transatlantic flights.
BA EC : no upgrade with miles.

If you plan to upgrade at a reasonable cost with miles on BA and to use mainly BA on transatlantic flights, then your only choice seems to join AsiaMiles of CX. This answer was already given on BA forum (sorry just forgot the name of this helpful and famous member).
Plus you'll accrue miles on SR, which is a good option provided you live in Europe.

My comments are valid only for BA EC CONTINENTAL EUROPE. BA EC UNITED STATES is fare more generous and you have upgrade awards at your disposal.

Go with AA. If you join CX you have to fly 120k miles a year for Diamond. if you go with BA looks like you will get soda pop with your meal:
Jan 27, 2002
A growing number of "air rage" incidents is forcing the UK government to consider a ban on drinking alcohol on all domestic and international flights on British airlines.

A report in the London Sunday Times newspaper says the measure is being debated as part of preparations for a government study paper on aviation, due for publication in the spring.

The UK's airline safety authority, the CAA, has reported a big increase in the number of violent or threatening incidents on aircraft - up from 800 three years ago to 1,250 in 2001.

This steady increase in attacks by drunk passengers on cabin crew members has forced the issue on to the government's agenda. Should the proposals become concrete they will be opposed by airlines but already have the backing of cabin crew and groups representing the traveling public.

Doctors have added their weight to the argument, saying that alcohol on flights should be banned.

The newspaper says that the government put out a consultation document and many of those who replied urged a complete ban on in-flight drinking.

The Sunday Times cites Transport Department insiders as saying that the most likely scenario is a bar on airlines from which cabin crew would be able to control the number of drinks handed out. They do not see a complete ban on alcohol as being the answer.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Redhead:
[B]One thing I really like about AA is that all miles count towards lifetime status and that all fares are upgradeable. You can't upgrade with miles really cheap fares on most other airlines.

I think QF is actually better in the upgrade respect. With AA, you have to travel on a published fare, with QF you can buy the ticket from any source and still upgrade. Meant I could buy a cheap D class return to Oz from London and upgrade to 1st each way for 30,000 points.

Dave

Soda would be in no way acceptable for me

Will be going for BA most likely. They will comp me to Silver and the 800 points to reach gold are a piece of cake with on F RTW.

AA seems to have the most sympathetic program and: lifetime status possibility. I have talked to different AA people in UK office and US office but they will not comp anything else than UA. Also they still will not give me miles for supersonic flights.

CX gives miles for all BA and AA flights, comps, but seems to be complicated, not really valueing the FFs, and, most critical, hard to maintain Diamond status.

I must say I really like this idea of Lifetime Status, more airlines should offer this. So you know sometimes will an end to the Mileage Run and you can concentrate on the next airline (:

So I guess you'll use BA EC USA to get upgraded with miles ?

Will you try to keep LH Sen ? You'll never find such a rewarding FFP on Star !

Hi Thalys!

I will use BA EC (have their handbook now, thanks to Dave) as it seems very simple to get and to keep Gold with them if you fly in F.
I will keep LH SEN, no question. If you live in Germany, it is impossible to live without LH, also the Star program is quite good.

I found a lack of ONE WORLD presence in mainland China. Very hard to get there. Only from OZ or LHR. On an RTW with Star, I can fly i.e. from Singapore to about 6 destinations in mainland China. Unfortunately Dragonair is not part of OW, what a pity.