Having just executed a couple of redemption transactions my OW balances are now close enough to zero that I can re-assess my position with OW.

I guess this is the stock standard "Which OW FFP is the best" thread. At the moment I’m tossing up between AA and QF based on conflicting information from a couple of friends.

--

I’m an Australian citizen and resident. I’m based in MEL and currently I do about 30+ domestic sectors per year for work. Mostly it’s MEL-SYD, with the odd CBR, BNE and PER sectors thrown into the mix. ATM a lot of my international travel is with *A or un-allied carriers (EK and EY)

Hence QFF 1000pts min earn on domestic flights will yield some benefit for me, as well as status benefits of free QANTAS club membership with QFF.

But as I understand it AA has better burn rates and better availability?? I also see myself becoming more USA focused over the next 3-5 years, so perhaps AA would make more sense in that light when I start doing ~10 USA domestic sectors per year, with potential extended stays in the USA (… reward tickets for personal use on weekends).

I probably don’t fly OW enough to get WP/ExP status with both. Hence I think focusing on one program would be beneficial.

I’m also contemplating a potential CC tie-in, although that’s now a little more complicated with the QFF move to limit transfer programs… but CC wouldn’t be until after October.

Thanks in advance for your comments!



X-Posted to AFF /general-airline-loyalty-program-discussion/which-ow-ffp-17728.html

Welcome to Flyer Talk penegal

What are the most important aspects you looking for from your FFP?

Awards - economy or premium (business/first)? QFF is particularly expensive for premium awards.

Upgrades - to upgrade the transpacific flights (on QF) you need QFF points.

Status benefits - no lounge access on US domestic flights unless non-AA OW sapphire or emerald.

Here are my thoughts in regards to this.

AA has two main advantages:

- the earn/burn ration is much better than QF
- You get lots of upgrades as an AA elite.

In your situation I would most probably still stick with QF for the following reasons:

- You can get extra points through your credit card in Australia which compensates the earn/burn disadvantage compared to AA
- It is always good to be with the program of the airline you actually fly.
- Once you start doing some segments in the US you can look at buying YUP fares. Because status on QF is very easy to get, you will be a SG or even WP in no time with those fares.
- QF status will give you lounge access in the US whereas AA status will not.

Any Business travel over 4hrs is in J anyway, so I'd say premium awards (or upgrades to premium cabins) on international long-haul sectors is my priority.

Lounge Access from status is also important to me.

Thanks. Your list of pros and cons is basically what I'm weighing up.

QF giving lounge access in the US where AA doesn't seems counter intuitive, but that is an important benefit for me. I often arrive at airports with plenty of time to spare, so I use lounge facilities extensively.

I'm trying to find out if my employer will fund J fares for US domestic sectors ~3hrs, or whether they'll argue for Y as it's less than 4 hours. If they won't fund J, I think that this will add to the pros for AA.

True but easily fixed by buying an AC membership. Its about the price of one US domestic ticket.

For me the question always turns on the importance of upgrades (domestic and international) to you. If you want to upgrade then you need to join the program of the airline that you fly the most. In other respects the AA program is in most ways the best.

True, but it is still an expense. And as a non-US resident, if I only do a couple of sectors which aren't part of international itinerarys the value seems dubious.

Agreeded. In my current situation, it's clearly QF, because I fly QF a lot more, however over the next year and beyond that is going to change.

And to complicate matters the idea of an extended secondment in the USA was floated today, and if that goes ahead then it would clearly be AA.

Thanks for your help

If I were starting again, I would choose AA in a heartbeat. The better earn/burn ratios make it a much better programme and as I have an Amex Plat, I could get into AA domestic lounges regardless of status (which is something you could look into although Amex Plat in Australia is quite expensive).

The only reason I stick to QF is that I am getting very close to achieving lifetime gold (i.e. OneWorld Sapphire) and it's worth suffering the pain until I achieve this gold. Also sticking with QF means that TATL I can choose AA or BA although as my partner is an EXP we tend to go AA if flying together due to the BA/AA TATL earning rules not to mention the opportunity to use EVIPs.

In general, QF probably offers the worst value programme in OneWorld and is not recommended. If you want an easy (as in status wise) programme as you mainly fly in the pointy end, BA is a better programme to go for although it's still well behind AA.