Any suggestions for me in picking a OW program? Most of my travel is transatlantic so BAEC might seem to be the logical choice but I'm wondering about AsiaMiles. Here are my circumstances:

1. Have 250K+ Amex MR points that can be transfered to Asia Miles but not BA

2. Will not travel to or transit through U.S.

3. Might travel on CX once a year at most

4. *G so I don't know whether I would travel enough to reach an elite tier in a OW carrier next year. Wondering if award redemption is easier on BA or AsiaMiles?

Thanks if anyone could help me out on this.

A few things to remember:

You can only earn status on BA EC by buying the more (economy) expensive fares that earn you tier points. Cheap (economy) fares don't earn any point. If you fly paid BC/FC, it doesn't matter and is to your advantage (you qualify much faster).

BA awards are relative expensive. e.g., 80,000 mies for trans-Atlantic in the back, and multiplier of 2x and 3x for BC and FC (IIRC). However, 1 CoS r/t mileage UGs are only 0.5x so WT+ (econ dlx) to BC U/G is only 40k miles r/t.

Award inventory availability is reportedly best for the home airline so CX flights are easier to get using CX AMs than BA EC and v-v.

AMs expire some 3 years after you earn them. Can be extended for a fee though. You can also get a AM affnity credit card in Canada.

AM used to be BA's programme for those domiciled in Asia a few years ago so BA award inventory availability may still be good. Upgrade awards on BA may also be available. Not 100% certain.

Thanks Terenz for the very quick response

I've been leaning toward the CX program because I can dump those MR points into AM. Their F and J awards seem reasonable compared to BA.

Hi,

I thought that for a Club world rtn Can to UK is 100k miles.

However with BA you can do a Miles for Upgrade ( MFU) ie pay for a WT+ ticket ( Prem Econ) use 25k miles and get to Travel Club World (business) . You also get the miles for thw WT+ ticket booked (25% milexbonus on distance traveled).

Above relate to UK BA EC .

Regards

TBS

It's 60K for Asiamiles. And it's as far as from YVR-LHR-CDG-LHR-YVR.

Yes but you can also upgrade on BA flights using Asiamiles. Not only that, with BAEC, you can only upgrade if you buy your ticket direct from BA and it's usually from NA to LHR. On Asiamiles, it can originate anywhere and on any economy class fares as long as it can earn miles, is a return and the ticket is electronic.

Remember too that you must pay US$50 to join the Marco Polo Club, and that in order to retain OW elite status, you must travel on at least 4 sectors with CX to retain your club status.

For further information on MPC qualification, please refer to the www.cathaytalk.com under CX FAQ or click here: http://www.cathaytalk.com/showthread.php?t=164