1) Is it really worth going on CX if im in economy?

I'm planing on doing ADL-MEL-HKG-JFK and LHR-HKG-ADL on CX.

Is CX on economy as good on these routes as say QF or BA? Especially LHR-ADL and HKG to NA.

2) Which FF scheme would be best to join if doing ADL-MEL-HKG-JFK-MIA-POS-SJU-DFW-LAS-JFK-BGI-LON-HKG-ADL using AA in NA and CX everywhere else all on economy class?

Cheers.

[This message has been edited by BigJimbo (edited 07-09-2002).]

If using CX on a OWE would mean booking in M class, you would not be able to earn miles in the American AAdvantage program.

You can earn miles flown in CX M class with Qantas Frequent Flyer.

AA, if you got a canadian address. (you get CX miles only with canadian address)

Please let us know if you manage to get that routing approved. You are visiting Asia twice which depending upon how you interpret the rules may not be allowed.

Best to stick with either QANTAS FF or CX Asiamiles seeing that you're based in Australia.

Assuming the LON-HKG-ADL journey does not involve a stopover at HKG, the routing will be fine. That's why the second asia arrival/departure for flights without stopover Europe-SWP was invented. Any stopover at HKG would have to be done on the way to North America.

Guy,

I'm still learning about all this, but I am interested to understand why you believe this since AAdvantage appears to offer at least 80% more miles per flight than AsiaMiles/Marco Polo for OneWorld Emeralds (2.25 vs 1.25 for J, 2 vs 1 for Y), its award flights are about 20% cheaper, and the miles required to achieve status is lower. None of this seems to depend on where you live. The only downside I can see is that for residents of some countries the number of discounted economy class fares which can earn mile (or full miles) is reduced.

Am I missing something?

christep, BigJimbo is planning oneworld Explorer in Y, which is booked under M. M does not earn miles for AAdvantage members unless their registered address is in Canada.

Otherwise, as you say, AAdvantage is an extremely good program.

Just a word of advice on this. CX's Canadian site used to promote AAdvantage and the expanded fare categories for Canadians but now promotes membership in AsiaMiles instead. There's nothing promoting the reduced fares eligibility. I would not be surprised if this went away.

Uh oh...

FewMiles..

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Yes, I agree. I, too, wouldn't be surprised as I posted a few weeks ago in the CX forum.

I had a flight in late June in Y and it was booked under S and still posted to my AA account as usual. I will be testing an S fare again with AA, probably next week, and see what happens. I wonder if anyone has inquired AA on this.

BigJimbo, regarding CX's economy class, for my mind it is superior in service standards, comfort, food and entertainment to both QF and BA. It truly is a class product. I have flown all three considerably and will always take CX given the choice. I've even been known to fly them even if it is not the most direct route.

As to which program to join to maximise points for your itinerary, I'm a QF FF and would say it offers you the most earning opportunities. You will be awarded actual miles flown (not 70% for discount Y or even 50% of actual miles flown), and all of your flights on AA in NA will accumulate a guaranteed minimum of 500 miles.

I'm not up to speed on other oneworld programs, but I think the Qantas program is up there with the best in terms of earning. Particularly if you are an Australian resident.

I agree. There are often advantages in choosing a program that is "close to home base", e.g. AAdvantage for North American residents or QF FF for ozzies.

FewMiles..

The Qantas Frequent Flyer is a good second program to belong to if your primary program is with AA. Considering:

1) Earning 100% miles on just about all discounted Y fares
2) Mileage for BA transatlantic
3) 1000 mile minimum for QF flights (and I think this might be expanded to AA & BA)
4) Free Qantas Club membership if you reach Gold or Platinum - which will give you free access to AA's Admirals Club (granted you have to fly a lot on both AA & QF for this benefit to be of value)
5) Access to BA transatlantic awards - even Concorde!

Up to now I've logged all my flights with AA (averaging 200K flight miles per year for the last 4 years). This year I joined QF's program and will be putting enough flights with them so that I will reach Gold and get the benefit of Admirals club access. BA transatlantic earning (and award redemption) is my second reason.

Even if you don't reach Gold with QF you can buy a Qantas Club membership for a lot less than an Admirals Club membership, so that may be a good enough reason to join QF's program and just put a few flights with them.