Some basic principles for joint AA and BA FF credits
Jul 24, 2005 | 8:05 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: YVR occasionally
Programs: OW Emerald (AA-EXP, BA-Gold)
Posts: 261
Some basic principles for joint AA and BA FF credits
Being new to the whole RTW and FF game, I appreciate the help received on another thread dealing with specific draft itineraries for an AONE5 or AONE4 trip where, among other things, the question was raised about my going for AA Plat/EP instead of BA silver/gold. I decided to try for both, that is, do the AA Platinum Challenge and try to requalify at Plat or attain EP, as well as hitting BA Silver (gold did not seem feasible given the sacrifice of the AA level).
Over the past week, in extensively exploring spreadsheets of various allocation possibilities, various principles became apparent to me. Even though they will be obvious to the experienced flyers here, they werent to me at the outset and so there might be a few other newcomers that could use these reminders. Sorry if this deals with matters already covered extensively earlier (but I didnt find it in one place). Id appreciate learning about any mistakes or misconceptions.
1) Do the AA Platinum Challenge as early as possible in order to get the 2x bonus on the remaining flights in the calendar yeareven if the first flights are on BA and hence one is tempted to allocate them to BA. Work on the BA credit later because if one already has lounge access for an AONE trip then you dont need Silver at the outset and the later one gets Silver, the longer it will last.
2) The 2000 mile level is crucial. In general, for flights slightly over 2000 miles, allocate them to BA to get the 180 points, while for flights slightly under 2000 miles allocate them to AA because of only receiving 60 BA points but almost the same AA credit as the one slightly over 2000.
3) Allocate the shortest of the short segments to BA because one gets as many points (60) from a 500 mile trip as from a 1900 mile trip whereas the AA credit varies significantly.
4) Check carefully that you dont go too much over the threshold required for an award (if you wont get to the next level in the year). E.g. if you are at 580 on BA and are taking a long haul trip, allocate it to AA and pick up the missing 20 BA points on a short trip (separate one if necessary) rather than getting 760 BA points (580+180) where the extra 160 points does nothing for you.
5) Similarly if you have already reached Plat requalification and you wont make EP, then consider allocating at least the shortest of the other trips in the calendar year to BA to boost credit there, if it will help make the next level. You still might want to have the longest segments on AA for the mileage bonus received.
6) Pay attention to the difference between the BA individualized year and the AA calendar year. If one can attain a higher AA level by allocating end-of-year flights to AA, defer the BA allocation. Consider the possibility of moving trips earlier (if they will help attain a key level) or later (if you will not qualify for a higher level in the given year).
7) To make the required 4 segments on BA metal to attain Silver (or later Gold) consider first using short BA segments because one does not get any more segment credit for longer trips. Make up any shortfall in points (eg., 360 extra points needed if one did the 4 required segments on shorthaul, ie., 4x60=240) by allocating segments from other carriers to BA, especially if they are just over 2000 miles hence getting 180 BA points rather than allocating long segments that will still just give 180 points but would yield a lot of AA bonus miles.
8) Ive seen the various postings that suggest that 4 segments on AA metal (for requalification, not for the challenge) which is stated as a requirement- may not be enforced. It might be a good idea to try to fit in this qualification anyway (which should not be hard given the 6 possible No.Amer. segments).
9 On a US-UK transatlantic trip where one needs to make the decision of which carrier to fly, the choice between likely higher credit for AA versus the better quality experience on BA needs to be weighed. Whether the trip credit is crucial in attaining the next qualification level on either AA or BA may be a deciding factor.
10) Check all segments to see if short ones (eg. under 1000 miles) can be replaced by paying for a separate ticket, or going by train or auto, etc.
I realize that I may be making some (many?) incorrect inferences here so would welcome corrections and extensions.
Over the past week, in extensively exploring spreadsheets of various allocation possibilities, various principles became apparent to me. Even though they will be obvious to the experienced flyers here, they werent to me at the outset and so there might be a few other newcomers that could use these reminders. Sorry if this deals with matters already covered extensively earlier (but I didnt find it in one place). Id appreciate learning about any mistakes or misconceptions.
1) Do the AA Platinum Challenge as early as possible in order to get the 2x bonus on the remaining flights in the calendar yeareven if the first flights are on BA and hence one is tempted to allocate them to BA. Work on the BA credit later because if one already has lounge access for an AONE trip then you dont need Silver at the outset and the later one gets Silver, the longer it will last.
2) The 2000 mile level is crucial. In general, for flights slightly over 2000 miles, allocate them to BA to get the 180 points, while for flights slightly under 2000 miles allocate them to AA because of only receiving 60 BA points but almost the same AA credit as the one slightly over 2000.
3) Allocate the shortest of the short segments to BA because one gets as many points (60) from a 500 mile trip as from a 1900 mile trip whereas the AA credit varies significantly.
4) Check carefully that you dont go too much over the threshold required for an award (if you wont get to the next level in the year). E.g. if you are at 580 on BA and are taking a long haul trip, allocate it to AA and pick up the missing 20 BA points on a short trip (separate one if necessary) rather than getting 760 BA points (580+180) where the extra 160 points does nothing for you.
5) Similarly if you have already reached Plat requalification and you wont make EP, then consider allocating at least the shortest of the other trips in the calendar year to BA to boost credit there, if it will help make the next level. You still might want to have the longest segments on AA for the mileage bonus received.
6) Pay attention to the difference between the BA individualized year and the AA calendar year. If one can attain a higher AA level by allocating end-of-year flights to AA, defer the BA allocation. Consider the possibility of moving trips earlier (if they will help attain a key level) or later (if you will not qualify for a higher level in the given year).
7) To make the required 4 segments on BA metal to attain Silver (or later Gold) consider first using short BA segments because one does not get any more segment credit for longer trips. Make up any shortfall in points (eg., 360 extra points needed if one did the 4 required segments on shorthaul, ie., 4x60=240) by allocating segments from other carriers to BA, especially if they are just over 2000 miles hence getting 180 BA points rather than allocating long segments that will still just give 180 points but would yield a lot of AA bonus miles.
8) Ive seen the various postings that suggest that 4 segments on AA metal (for requalification, not for the challenge) which is stated as a requirement- may not be enforced. It might be a good idea to try to fit in this qualification anyway (which should not be hard given the 6 possible No.Amer. segments).
9 On a US-UK transatlantic trip where one needs to make the decision of which carrier to fly, the choice between likely higher credit for AA versus the better quality experience on BA needs to be weighed. Whether the trip credit is crucial in attaining the next qualification level on either AA or BA may be a deciding factor.
10) Check all segments to see if short ones (eg. under 1000 miles) can be replaced by paying for a separate ticket, or going by train or auto, etc.
I realize that I may be making some (many?) incorrect inferences here so would welcome corrections and extensions.
Jul 24, 2005 | 8:29 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,762
You're pretty much on the mark with your analysis. Looking at your plan, I personally can't see why you are having anything to do with BAEC - AA will give you the same status from a OW viewpoint and MUCH more in terms of miles.
The advantages of having status in two OW schemes is debatable, and depends on your travelling habits - I guess that living in North America (you're in YVR?) it will get you lounge access in the USA (and Canada?) that you would not otherwise get. How valuable this is, given that AA's lounges are reportedly not that good (and certainly don't have the premium spirits on free pour), is open to question.
The advantages of having status in two OW schemes is debatable, and depends on your travelling habits - I guess that living in North America (you're in YVR?) it will get you lounge access in the USA (and Canada?) that you would not otherwise get. How valuable this is, given that AA's lounges are reportedly not that good (and certainly don't have the premium spirits on free pour), is open to question.