Which FFP to enrol in?
 

A dedicated, or rather a locked-in, Star Alliance frequent flyer, I am more and more also taking flights on Oneworld carriers which I would like to credit to one single account. But which member airlines program to chose? That is why I am relying on the Oneworld experts here on Flyertalk -- thanks for your help, your guidance is appreciated.

Within the last five months, I have for example collected the following flights for re-crediting:

Beijing-Hong Kong on Dragonair (Business)
Copenhagen-London on BA (Business)
London-Boston on AA (Business)
Boston-Columbus on AA (Coach)
Delhi-Shanghai on China Eastern (Business)

Though I am not an expert, I would either say Cathay Pacific or American Airlines for I am currently based in the US; I shall relocate back to Europe in about two years. Or is there a particularly ‘generous’ FFP within Oneworld, similar to British Midland’s within Star?

Status on CX would grant me access to American’s Admirals Club here in the US, whereas AA does not. CX also allows me to collect miles on both AA and BA on transatlantic routes. Status on AA might give me one day automatic upgrades to First within the US.

So what is your take on all that? Once again thank you very much for your help.

I am in almost exactly the same position. I dropped out of Aeroplan after waiting 5 months for flights to post and switched to Flying Blue, but now find myself Asia-bound and One World is the best alternative to Star Alliance out of Canada. But, like anewsenator, I am not sure which program to join. Do all require four flights per year on their own metal to qualify for Elite status? I have JAL and Qantas flights in the immediate future, but British Airways seems like the most likely for long-range as I do mostly of trans-Atlantics (using AF and KL right now). Is there a post somewhere that compares plans or does anyone have any suggestions?

General consensus around these parts is:
AA best for earn/ burn ratios
AA best for quick status (via AA Gold (OW Ruby) / Platinum (OW Emerald) challenge)
QF easiest to get top status (QF Platinum (OW Sapphire)) if flying front of the bus

however
AA won't earn on BA trans-atlantic, and some discount Y doesn't earn, and AA status won't get you into AA domestic lounges
QF has fairly average earn-burn and enforces the 4-segments on own metal rule

IMHO you are best crediting to the airline you fly the most as all airlines treat their own top tiers better than alliance and can typically only upgrade flights using that airlines points.

If you do an AA Plat challenge (OW Sapphire) before the end of the year you'll have status through 2/09; 100% bonus miles (on most, not all OW partners and on AS) and lounge access everywhere but in the US. AA burn rates are much better than QF's. If you're desperate for the AC you can buy a discounted membership as a Plat.

Getting CX status might take awhile; however you can use Asiamiles to upgrade on AA and BA metal as well as CX, also one way award redemptions. Best to review Asiamiles before committing however.

"Free" AA upgrades come (as a Plat) with 500-mile "stickers" (they aren't) that you earn through flying - 4 per 10K BIS miles, although you can buy more at $30 each or so. As Plat you can confirm as early as 72 hrs before flights if there's availability. SWUs (called eVIPs) only come with top tier (EXP) status. Stickers are no good on longhaul international services.

For a program in secondary alliance it sounds like it may be a struggle to maintain status, other than the bottom tier. So, I'd concentrate on earn/burn. What do you want to use miles for - awards or upgrades?

I'd be inclined to stick with AAdvantage (you'll have lounge access anyway for international business/first).

You might consider Alaska Air as well. You can credit all but China Eastern and Dragonair, though I wonder if Dragonair may change.

Wow, lots of good information here so quickly! Thanks.

Chances of flying on AA are slim so, if I read the AA sticky right, the challenges are out. On long haul I'm almost always in business anyway so lounge access is not crucial. My main interest is earning/cashing miles for awards (flights). FB is my main FF program now so OW will be second choice, but I do get quite a few long trips each year - fall/winter in particular. Australia is an uncommon destination so QF is probably not a good bet. Many destinations are accessible via LHR, but since I'm already well into FB, probably it's better to stick with AMS/CDG. I'll check out Asiamiles but are there any particular drawbacks to BA?

Thanks Darren. I've got hotel miles on Alaska Air already though I've never credited a flight there. OK - more research for me to do. -

edited to add: But it looks like Alaska is not a One World member. I'm starting my One World account because of upcoming flights on Qantas and JAL.

A good point since you fly KL and AF to Europe. You can book AS EQM on both KL and AF, as well as NW, DL, AA and LA. Not sure where you are in Canada (fishermanbob) but AS has pretty good west coast service from Alta. and BC.

AS hasn't fired up their award plan with AF yet ("any day now" for a year) but plenty of good award partners.

For comparos, go to www.webflyer.com, the birth parent of FT.

The reason QF is often mentioned is that status earning is relatively easy if flying mainly first/business class, and of course gives lounge access within USA and points earning on all trans-atlantic one world (no need to pick and choose flights like BA/AA). The downside is earn/burn rates on QF are truly pathetic (for most FTers).

Unless you are planning to use miles for upgrades (which in OW is mostly only own airline unlike *A), the benefit of the alliance is you (mostly) don't need to credit to the FFP of the operating airline.