QF Status Bonus
 

Can someone explain to me why (as a QF FF) I get status bonus miles when flying on AA, but not BA? Considering there is a closer (ownership, reservation systems) relationship between BA and QF than AA and QF, why can't we earn status bonuses on BA? This really bites me as due to Jbeds on BA I do a lot of intercontinental travel on BA.

And for that matter, why don't we earn status bonus miles on all OW airlines?

Some of us do. AAdvantage for one. As for your question about QF, the answer is that QF has contracted with AA to do so and has not with BA. A business decision. BA can afford to be arrogant -- they have your business without needing to pay for status bonus miles! And it works, as you do fly with them instead of using AA. Not a bad business strategy, optimized for BA's benefit and not for your benefit. It is interesting that QF and AA have a close working relationship (perhaps closer than BA and QF), for example QF bought a dozen 738s that AA had ordered and could no longer afford (this helped AA stay in compliance with its Boeing commitments). BA only sends worn-out falling apart planes to QF.

If that were the case, nobody would be a member of the program with the least benefits (which ever that one is). Status bonuses are only to encourage loyalty - and that's what it's all about - loyalty to one brand.

Presumably because some airlines buy in to OW because it's a worthwhile alliance, while others (more cynically) think it's of 'strategic' importance. Perhaps the answer you're looking for is that AA needs QF's business and vice versa, while BA/IB/EI/LA know they're going to get it (not least in terms of regional monopoly) one way or another....