Hi guys,

I'm paltry AAdvantage Gold (just dropped down from Platinum, got via a challenge) and *A Gold (BMI DC, will drop down to Silver in ~2 months). I'd like advice on whether to stick with AA for some upcoming flights (on IB and AA, details below) or go elsewhere. I've got 50,000 AAdvantage miles and haven't redeemed with AA yet. Status is important to me for lounge access and I'd like to actually be able to fly with the miles.

My experience with BMI DC, who status matched my AA Plat with *A Gold(!) has been great. I love the ability to go one-way at half the cost, miles+money, pay 1.5 for Business/2 for First, etc. I think there were some changes to the AA programme recently (such as a trip costs you the miles flown rather than the miles between departure and arrival points) that make AA a worse prospect. I'd like the advice of any knowledgeable bod on flyertalk that would like to give it. My flight details are below, I've blanked out the exact dates to give the stalkers among you a little challenge. I'll probably make one more trip (in South America) in May, but then likely nothing more until September; I expect to be flying more with work from then on.

2?/04/2009 NCL - LHR IB 7547 13:35 - 14:50 Economy/S OK
2?/04/2009 LHR - MAD IB 3171 17:35 - 20:55 Economy/S OK
2?/04/2009 MAD - SCL IB 6831 00:20 - 07:50 Economy/S OK
0?/06/2009 SCL - MAD IB 6830 12:15 - 07:00 +1 Economy/Q OK
1?/06/2009 MAD - LHR IB 3174 09:55 - 11:15 Economy/Q OK
1?/06/2009 LHR - NCL IB 7544 15:45 - 17:00 Economy/Q OK

and also:

AA 137 LHR London Jul 1?, 2009 10:55 AM LAX Los Angeles Jul 1?, 2009 02:15 PM Economy L
AA 136 LAX Los Angeles Jul 2?, 2009 07:50 PM LHR London Jul 2?, 2009 02:15 PM Economy Q
AA (op. by BA) 6378 LHR London Jul 2?, 2009 03:45 PM NCL Newcastle Jul 2?, 2009 05:00 PM Economy Q

Cheers,

Dave

Hi Dave,

I'm no expert on AAdvantage, but my initial thought is if you've already got 50,000 miles in your account, and Gold Status, then I'd continue to add to that, particularly with the upcoming trips you mention.

By my reckoning your upcoming trips won't be enough to retain AA Gold or attain AA Plat, but at least if there are other trips that come up you are well on the way.

I can't see any benefit in joining another Oneworld carrier's program, as you'll then be dividing up your earning and status potential.

Besides, general consensus on FlyerTalk seems to be that of all the Oneworld programs, AAdvantage is the best in terms of ease of earning miles and status, and better value redemptions. I'd stick with what you know.

Hope that helps.

Hi inasmuchas,

Thanks for your reply, I did find it helpful. I think you're probably right about not dividing up earning/status potential. My experience flying with AA hasn't been as good as other airlines and I'm not too happy about their fight with BA over transatlantic (e.g. no AAdvantage miles flying on BA).

With not having experience of the other oneworld programmes, I wanted others' input as to whether another programme trounces AAdvantage, as I was wondering if now was the time to make a change. 50,000 miles isn't much though, so I think boosting that with these flights will make for a better redemption, so I'll probably take your advice and stay AA for now.

Cheers,

David

It would seem to me that AA would be you best option with the flights booked

Crediting to BA, the transatlantic flights would earn zero mileage due to it being AA
If crediting to QF, then you would earn 50% miles for LHR-LAX and zero for LAX-LHR since Q is ineligable for mileage earning
If crediting to Asiamiles, then you would earn full miles for LHR-LAX and zero for LAX-LHR since Q is ineligable for mileage earning for fares sold in Europe

Sticking with AA, you will earn full mileage both ways plus a 25% bonus for being gold

For lounge access when travelling AA , BA or QF , then you may like to consider getting a Qantas Club membership if you are unlikely to earn Platinum status again within a year.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the analysis of miles earning potential. From that, it's apparent that I'd lose airmiles going with another OW FFP, so AAdvantage it is.

As for lounge access, I'll wait and see if I begin flying enough to (re)earn it, as if I don't then it probably doesn't justify buying membership. Also, I'm a bit of a budget traveller (astronomy PhD travelling to telescopes & conferences) who loves a freebie, and lounge access would be less sweet if I had paid for it!

Cheers,

Dave

I am usually a Skyteam client, but I have in the upcoming weeks few trips with Malev. If I just want to join a oneworld FFP in order to store some miles and to change them for HHonors points or just to keep them for as long as possible, which program would you recommend?

It is very unlikely that I will use OW in the future so much that will give me status on any program, this is not relevant to me.

Thanks.

You need to tell us which class you are flying in (and if Economy, then which booking class: YBHKLMVSOQG etc).

I fly economy, usualy cheaper classes, for short distances. I was checking out AA Advantage, it seemed to me that it offers best compatibility with other programs (changing miles for Hilton points, redeeming miles on oneworld flights, etc).

Is there a reason I should maybe avoid AAA and go for one of the european FFP?

AA would probably be my default suggestion, and you get 100% mileage credit for pretty much any booking class. But note that miles expire after 18 months of inactivity.

Bump and a little OT.

I will be taking a SYD-AKL flight on LA. Should I credit to CX or AA. Both accounts have >1000. I live in the US but travel to HKG/Asia alot. I like CX becuase you can still credit on some discounted CX fares while on AA you have to have full fare on CX to credit.