Which 1W Member for NYC based flyer?
 

Wondering if anyone has opinions about which of the OneWorld members would serve me best as an NYC based flier?

The obvious choice is American, but wondering if might be easier to make higher status with another member.

For example, on Swiss, for a non-resident it only takes 70K miles to qualify for their highest (Gold) status which is (I think) is equivalent to EX Plat with AA.

Would I still qualify for unlimited upgrades when travelling AA domestic?

My flight profile:

Business, usually full-fare economy (ugh)
2 per quarter to Finland (Finnair obviously)
Once every six months to Beijing, Singapore, Sao Paulo
Minimal domestic travel

Private, cheapest available
2/3 trips per annum usual international

As you can see, I'm already AA plat but with the segment requirement could be difficult given mostly int'l segments.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Given you're in NY by default AA is best for you.

Note that only AA FFers can get domestic AA upgrades (although OW elites have been known to score op-ups).

You may consider QF - given your travel to Beijing and Singapore, the comfort of BA J over the atlantic - on QF you get full credit whereas on AA you don't. The other benefit of non-AA FF program is access to ACs (once you're elite) on domestic travel - although you don't do that much of it.

Outside of the AAdv Plat/Gold challenges, (at least in my case) I find QF much easier to gain top tier status on - but that is mainly J travel.

Given all your factors I would stick with AAdv - means you have to fly AA over the atlantic, but in WHY that's arguably a better proposition than BA WHY. Given the new changes in AAdv, full-WHY gets you J/F q-points, so elite status achievement has gotten easier for you.

Thanks Alect
 

Thank you for the thoughtful response. Indeed the BA trans-atlantic would be preferred for the occassion J flight. Use of AC domestically would also be an occassional bonus, but balanced by domestic upgrades.

I'll look into QF. Any thoughts on Swiss? Do you imagine they'll change their requirements when they become full OneWorld? Noted that they currently don't have a BA partnership.

Cheers

Given the current disagreement between Swiss and BA re their FF programs and Swiss's entry into OW, not sure I would start accruing miles on Swiss FF program with any certainty of OW benefits - clearly no benefits until at least the beginning of 2005.

Thanks, wasn't aware there was an explicit argument between them on these issues. I guess I'll stick with AA this year and see where I end up.