BA or AA?
Feb 24, 2004 | 12:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 6
BA or AA?
I am about to start a new job down in London, and will be doing roughly 1 or 2 economy UK Domestic flights a month, with the possibility of occasional flights to Europe and the USA.
As a basic member of BA and AA, which would you recommend for a new starter? Or would you recommend another programme?
[This message has been edited by Trotman (edited Feb 24, 2004).]
As a basic member of BA and AA, which would you recommend for a new starter? Or would you recommend another programme?
[This message has been edited by Trotman (edited Feb 24, 2004).]
Feb 24, 2004 | 6:07 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,916
Depends on what fares you'll (or your employer) be buying (especially trans-Atlantic), and also where you'll be flying to in the U.S. You will get to higher status faster with BA if you buy expensive fare class tickets.
Feb 24, 2004 | 10:31 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: SYD
Programs: QF PS and spouse of QP Senior Lifer PS, UA, AA, DL, AS, AV, TK
Posts: 766
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Trotman:
As a basic member of BA and AA, which would you recommend for a new starter? Or would you recommend another programme?</font>
As a basic member of BA and AA, which would you recommend for a new starter? Or would you recommend another programme?</font>
I agree with above suggestion of BA program for expensive tickets and AA program for cheap tickets. So it all depends whether you are working for a merchant bank or the NHS.
Feb 25, 2004 | 12:43 am
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,107
"As a basic member of BA and AA, which would you recommend for a new starter? Or would you recommend another programme?"
I would suggest the Qantas scheme if you are going to do a mixture of cheap non-tier BA point earning flights and flexible tickets. Domestic Flights booked in J on BA earn 30 status credits on QF and flights on the cheapie tickets earn 10 compared to 20 and 0 for those collecting to the BA scheme
You will reach OW emerald quicker with QF than with BA or AA.
Dave
I would suggest the Qantas scheme if you are going to do a mixture of cheap non-tier BA point earning flights and flexible tickets. Domestic Flights booked in J on BA earn 30 status credits on QF and flights on the cheapie tickets earn 10 compared to 20 and 0 for those collecting to the BA scheme
You will reach OW emerald quicker with QF than with BA or AA.
Dave
Feb 25, 2004 | 1:59 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 6
My first flight (paid for by my employer) will be a full-fare economy ticket, with the remainder being dicount-economy tickets (stupid budget cutbacks!).
With regards to the USA flights, it will be the occasional return flight to JFK.
And BTW when I said "other programmes" I meant other OW FFPs.
Any further suggestions?
With regards to the USA flights, it will be the occasional return flight to JFK.
And BTW when I said "other programmes" I meant other OW FFPs.
Any further suggestions?
Feb 25, 2004 | 10:30 am
#6
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Boca Raton, FL DL FO/MM AA EXP SPG PLT
Posts: 968
If you are still looking at the BA or AA program, remember that you will only earn miles for trans-Atlantic flights from the airline whose program you belong to, i.e. AA flights only earn in AAdvantage, BA flights only earn in Exec Club.
Feb 25, 2004 | 9:39 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,641
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ExMo:
If you are still looking at the BA or AA program, remember that you will only earn miles for trans-Atlantic flights from the airline whose program you belong to, i.e. AA flights only earn in AAdvantage, BA flights only earn in Exec Club.</font>
If you are still looking at the BA or AA program, remember that you will only earn miles for trans-Atlantic flights from the airline whose program you belong to, i.e. AA flights only earn in AAdvantage, BA flights only earn in Exec Club.</font>
Feb 26, 2004 | 6:34 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,094
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JohnAx:
"Transatlantic" presumably not including Canada.</font>
"Transatlantic" presumably not including Canada.</font>
Feb 26, 2004 | 6:39 am
#10
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Boca Raton, FL DL FO/MM AA EXP SPG PLT
Posts: 968
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JohnAx:
"Transatlantic" presumably not including Canada.</font>
"Transatlantic" presumably not including Canada.</font>
Feb 26, 2004 | 9:46 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 6
Still not 100% sure, but I think Ill stick with the British and go with BA.
I suppose I've got both so if I did ever have to do trans-atlantic in AA, I've got an account.
Both have UK credit cards, and a wide range of other partners... actually on the subject of credit cards would you recommend the Amex or Tesco option?
I suppose I've got both so if I did ever have to do trans-atlantic in AA, I've got an account.
Both have UK credit cards, and a wide range of other partners... actually on the subject of credit cards would you recommend the Amex or Tesco option?
Feb 27, 2004 | 8:52 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: Sir CT-UK - Streaker pour les autres.
Posts: 6,132
Don't forget that if you fly on dicounted tickets you will not earn any status on BA and only 25% of miles flown. For a discounted traveler stay away from BA unless you think you will earn more miles via AMEX/Tesco than you would flying and crediting them to AA.
Feb 27, 2004 | 9:59 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 6
Thanks for the advice. I didn't realise BA didn't give Tier Points for discounted economy. Looks like I might have to reconsider AA, but it looks harder to get any status with them.
What about Qantas or any other OW programmes? Do any others offer a UK credit card?
What about Qantas or any other OW programmes? Do any others offer a UK credit card?
Feb 28, 2004 | 9:09 pm
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,107
"What about Qantas or any other OW programmes? "
Qantas fives Tier Credits on all classes on BA. On a shorthaul domestic, you would earn 10 in discount economy, 20 on a Y basis and 30 on a CD or J basis. QF Silver status requires 350 credits, gold 700 and Platinum 1400
Dave
Qantas fives Tier Credits on all classes on BA. On a shorthaul domestic, you would earn 10 in discount economy, 20 on a Y basis and 30 on a CD or J basis. QF Silver status requires 350 credits, gold 700 and Platinum 1400
Dave