Why hold multiple OW elite memberships?
Jan 28, 2004 | 11:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 61
Why hold multiple OW elite memberships?
Hi All,
I have noticed that several members hold multiple elite-level memberships within the OW alliance. For example, I have seen AA and BA elite at the same time.
What's the benefit of holding multiple elite memberships within the same alliance?
And how I get them if I don't fly 100K on each carrier?
Thanks.
Alex
I have noticed that several members hold multiple elite-level memberships within the OW alliance. For example, I have seen AA and BA elite at the same time.
What's the benefit of holding multiple elite memberships within the same alliance?
And how I get them if I don't fly 100K on each carrier?
Thanks.
Alex
Jan 29, 2004 | 12:01 am
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,593
You get top-tier only by flying the requisite amount (on QF and BA it is fare based rather than 100K miles, which is good if you fly in paid F but not so good for discount fares). The advantage of non-AA Emerald status is access to the AA lounges (AC and FL). The other reason to have top-tier status is priority in reservations, guaranteed seats on sold-out flights and help during irregular operations. Some of us travel on a strict schedule and really do have to be on a specific flight, making high status on multiple airlines essential. Obviously this is at the cost of sub-optimal mileage allocation, but sometimes status is much more important than mileage.
Jan 29, 2004 | 12:12 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 61
My follow up question would be:
What do you guys do that allows you to travel so much? I also love to travel and I did travel a lot as a management consultant before. But international (company paid) travel is what I am really after.
Perhaps this should be in the career forum (if there is one), but I am really interested to know.
Thanks.
Alex
What do you guys do that allows you to travel so much? I also love to travel and I did travel a lot as a management consultant before. But international (company paid) travel is what I am really after.
Perhaps this should be in the career forum (if there is one), but I am really interested to know.
Thanks.
Alex
Jan 29, 2004 | 12:18 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
Programs: AAdv GLD(MM), QF LTS, UA MP_nada, HH Gld, SPG, GoldenCircle Jade
Posts: 4,478
The following reasons come to mind:
- airlines always give priority to their own elites (on their own metal) for seating, op-ups, etc...
- using miles on each FF scheme to upgrade on that airline (assuming elite status means lots of miles)
- elite status on each airline may entitle you to more than mere OW status (eg VIPOWs on AA - EXP get them, OW Emerald don't)
- elite OW status on OW airlines may entitle you to more than elite status on your home airline (eg AC access for non-AA OW Saph/Emer but not for Plats and EXPs)
I am sure there are others....
- airlines always give priority to their own elites (on their own metal) for seating, op-ups, etc...
- using miles on each FF scheme to upgrade on that airline (assuming elite status means lots of miles)
- elite status on each airline may entitle you to more than mere OW status (eg VIPOWs on AA - EXP get them, OW Emerald don't)
- elite OW status on OW airlines may entitle you to more than elite status on your home airline (eg AC access for non-AA OW Saph/Emer but not for Plats and EXPs)
I am sure there are others....
Jan 29, 2004 | 12:40 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-PP, HL-DM, MR-LTP, HY-LTG
Posts: 26,017
I hold 3 Oneworld Emerald memberships.
BA, AA and CX. My QF status has plumetted to oblivion.
I achieved and maintain AA only because of their double miles for elites, VIPO2 upgrade certificates, and generally a good customer service reservation service.
BA was attained only because I can get mileage on transatlantic flights between US and London that would also earn me a bonus.
CX is attained only because of that 24hour guaranteed seat availability in most economy class and Business class fares. Plus the priority upgrades when flights are full are nice.
I use either CX or BA 's card to enter AA's Admirals Club lounges within the USA.
Oh, I also hold 3 Star Alliance Gold statuses.. but that's another story.
BA, AA and CX. My QF status has plumetted to oblivion.
I achieved and maintain AA only because of their double miles for elites, VIPO2 upgrade certificates, and generally a good customer service reservation service.
BA was attained only because I can get mileage on transatlantic flights between US and London that would also earn me a bonus.
CX is attained only because of that 24hour guaranteed seat availability in most economy class and Business class fares. Plus the priority upgrades when flights are full are nice.
I use either CX or BA 's card to enter AA's Admirals Club lounges within the USA.
Oh, I also hold 3 Star Alliance Gold statuses.. but that's another story.
Jan 29, 2004 | 5:11 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Agoura Hills, CA USA
Posts: 2,683
I hold AA EXEC PLAT for the great VIPOW and mileage bonuses. I hole QF platinum because of the tons of miles I have in their program ( STARWOOD PROMO 2002 ). By being QF elite, they have cleared first class seats for my family to SYD many times when there was no obvious availibility.
I also have LH senator status as I now find myself flying STAR carriers more than just occasionally. The miles and more LH program is great for LH senators as well.
I also have LH senator status as I now find myself flying STAR carriers more than just occasionally. The miles and more LH program is great for LH senators as well.
Jan 29, 2004 | 7:34 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,077
I hold BA and AA Emerald-equivalent status. The reason is that US-UK flights cannot be credited to AA and so I need somewhere -- a BA account in this case -- to park those miles and there are many destinations that I go to where AA is not an option. Also, it helps to use BA status when flying BA and AA status when flying AA, for you seem to get better treatment in special cases.
I also like using the BA account for domestic-US American Airlines Admirals Club access -- but to save $250, this would not make sense in and of itself.
Also upgrades can only be had using that airline's own miles.
I also like using the BA account for domestic-US American Airlines Admirals Club access -- but to save $250, this would not make sense in and of itself.
Also upgrades can only be had using that airline's own miles.