DONE5 ex CMB

Both Mrs WF and I can qualify OW Emerald in either AA or QF
sometime during the trip. AA on Qpoints QF with Status points

For Mrs WF this is a non-issue - everything to AA.
For me more of a problem - especially if she qualifies AA EXP.
Our travel plans in 2006 would probably only use 4-6 VIPs max.
And I think she would share :-) Though perhaps trading for 2007
might be useful. And VIPs might be an incentive for the kids
still in the USA to visit us (DFW-NRT-(HKG)-PER). ^

Pro-AA - VIPs - Lower redemption costs - preferred seats on AA

Pro-QF - I am in OZ - Access to preferred upgrades / seats on QF
even as a QPPS the QF seat preferences have been reasonable.
QF has less financial troubles and have completed the
enhancements to their program (you would hope)

What is AA EXP lounge access in Oz? or HKG?
I think I understand PLAT access. If I fly QF/CZ/BA
in Oz, I and one quest are permitted. Does AA EXP
simply have access if I fly?

Which program should I put the Qpoints/status points into to
qualify OW emerald? AA PLT and QF PLT (both) is possible but
very tight..... Also AA EXP and QF Silver is possible
But is either combination more deisrable than all into one program?

Further thoughts either way?

WF

As an AA EXP, one gets access to all the best in OW departure lounges plus one guest. I think all of the QF 1st class lounges are in the intl terminals, so you may not be able to use them for domestic trips. The convential wisdom is to get at least OW emerald if at all possible, rather than OW sapphire in 2 programs.

I had this dilemna both last year and this, chosing between BA and AA. I've settled on AA for this year; award levels are lower on AA and bonuses are better. I give up being able to book award flight on BA across the Atlantic.

If I were you, I'd definitely go for top tier in one of the programs rather than mid tier in both. In chosing between them, look at a couple awards you might want to redeem. What is the mileage requirement from each program? Also, look at a couple flights and calculate how many miles you earn in each program for that flight. AA is generous with its 100% bonus for EXPs, irrespective of cabin. Which airline is easier for you to deal with in order to redeem awards? Is there a home court advantage for QF? In my case, I find AA very easy; I just cashed in miles for a LAN trip in F to Peru.

If you earn excess vips, you can trade in Coupon Connection for awards of greater value. For example, it would be much more direct to take your kids via SYD on UA, wouldn't it? You can likely trade AA upgrades for UA SWUs in Coupon Connection. Or you can trade VIPs for hotel stays.

The other pro of AA is the lower mileage requirements for award flights. I would suggest it may be worth one of you getting AA Executive Platinum and the other getting QF Platinum. Platinum on QF is well worthwhile having when in Australia ; when phoning QF, you get the premium desk and the phone is answered v quickly which is a very useful benefit imo, plus when booking on QF you can phone the premium desk and request the exit row seats ( these are only available to QF Platinums/Chairman's lounge members , AA EXp will not provide this ) ; also , if you wish to upgrade on QF flights, only QF membership will provide this and finally , if you do any travel on Virgin Blue or are just picking someone up from a QF domestic flight or even just want to call in for a beer, QF Platinum status allows access to the Qantas Clubs at any time ( with 2 guests ) regardless of travel that day

Dave