I'm not quite sure if I'm posting this in the right place, so if not, please feel free to shift it elsewhere!

I was wondering if someone could advise me. I have a return flight from Milan to Brisbane return, and was hoping to allocate the points in one direction to my Qantas FF account, and then the other way to my AA account. Does anyone know if this is possible? Is it just a matter of contacting Qantas and changing the number on the account after the first leg is completed?

Thanks for your help!! ^

It can be done ; do make sure that the QF number is fully removed from the booking before adding the AA one; use the Qantas locator to check the booking on checkmytrip.com to ensure its removal. then have the AA number added in and then return to checkmytrip and ensure that it shows Qantas Airways - AAxxxxxx (where xxxxxx is your AA FF number)

Dave

Fantastic, thanks for the quick response. I wasn't sure if Qantas would allow me to remove my Q FF number after my journey had started, so this definitely helps ^

Just out of curiosity is there any particular reason why you are splitting it?

I've recently been enlightened to the wonders of the AA Platinum Challenge, so am going to use the outbound flight to gain Platinum status with AA, and then the return flight to gain enough status credits to go up a level on the Qantas FF program.

I'll be able to achieve both these things anyway with later flights, but I figure it's better to get AA Platinum ASAP for lounge access, and then use the other flight to up my Qantas level to increase my chances when applying for upgrades.

Does that make sense? I'm getting so confused by all these point allocations that it's not even making much sense to me any more!!

Personally I wouldn't bother with going from bronze to silver...assuming that is the next level up I would just bank them all to AA, also afaik some of the very cheap fare buckets on QF only earn 0.5 EQM's, which would mean that you would need to fly the entire flight on your AA #, as one leg will not qualify you for Plat.

Hmmm, interesting advice BenSyd. I've made sure to get a "B" class ticket for one full leg, which having done all my research, I think will send me straight to Platinum (given I'm flying Milan-Heathrow-Singapore-Brisbane).

And the reason I was going to keep accruing credits to gain Silver was because there's a good chance I might also go on to qualify for Gold (if I only attribute one long haul flight to AA that is). Is there really no point even trying to get from Bronze to Silver? I've never tried to get an upgrade using points, but I thought I had absolutely no chance of getting an upgrade whilst Bronze? Any thoughts greatly appreciated!!

If you're AA Plat then why would you want Qf Gold too? They are pretty much the same. Unless you're close to a lifetime goal or need a few extra QF points you may as well credit the entire thing to AA

QF gold can get into AC in US, AA Plat cannot... thats a well known fact... thats my guess anyway...

There is no benefit in getting QF Silver if you are AA Platinum that I can see and no point in wasting the miles to get to QF Gold. The only benefit that QF Gold has is that you would get lounge access when travelling domestically within the USA.

I would recommend taking the Platinum Challenge on the outbound and attain AA Platinum on the outbound sector LHR-SIN and then continue to accrue there and use the benefits. HAving 44073 miles in AA would be more useful than accruing 21475 miles in AA plus 11164 miles added to QF and 80SCs.

It is easier to upgrade as a QF Silver member, but consider that 120,000k AA miles will get you a free return flight in business from MXP-BNE whilst it would cost 192,000 QF miles just to upgrade the QF sectors from an economy fare to business class

If paying for a B fare, have you considered flying on BAs World Traveller Plus rather than spending that money for an economy seat. It is much more pleasant than economy plus also gets a 10% mileage bonus too. The B class BA/QF fare from MXP-BNE is AUD3133 plus tax and the BA T class WT+ fare from MXP-SYD is AUD3132 plus you would have to add AUD120-240ish for the SYD-BNE sector. A small increase in cost for a decent increase in comfort

Dave

Additionally, having QF Gold can help with getting higher up the QF international upgrade waitlist if you have QF FF points to burn on QF upgrades.

My reasoning on keeping some status with Qantas was as NM suggested, I have points to burn and if I only ever remain a lowly bronze or silver it's unlikely I'm ever going to get the upgrades I apply for...or so I assume.

Also, I still haven't figured out how AA could work for me in terms of flights. To use points on AA, I have to fly an AA flight do I not? Meaning I'd have to fly via the US?

Sorry, I know these questions may be a little blonde, but the more I read, the more confused I get, and this is all rather new to me!

One other thing I forgot to mention is my precious exit row seats!! I don't know if it's pure luck, but I've had a lot of success getting the exit row on most long-haul flights I've taken. It's not quite business class, I know, but does provide some comfort given I'm got some height! My concern about having an AA Frequent Flyer number on my booking is that they're going to give me absolutely no regard at all, and I'll lose my exit row seats. Fallacy? Perhaps! But Qantas have got my loyalty based on fear Anyone wish to speculate on this for me?

No no... you fly on Qantas et al and credit to AA.

You can then redeem the points for travel on QF. e.g. a return from anywhere in Oz/NZ to anywhere in Oz/NZ on QF costs 35k in economy and 35k in business and a r/t on QF between Europe-Australia costs 120k in business and 160k in 1st ( vs 192k for an upgrade using QF points )

Dave

Thats a fallacy. QF Platinum/Chairman's Lounge members can pre-select exit row seats on international flights ; for all others it is a 1st come , 1st served at check in or at Qantas Club

Dave