Which OW FFP?

[penegal]

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 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.

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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 QP 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 QFF move to limit transfer programs… but CC wouldn’t be until after October.

Thanks in advance for your comments


(X-Posted to FlyerTalk)

[Flashware]

What booking class do your domestic flights normally book into?

[penegal]

What booking class do your domestic flights normally book into?

Y FullFlex - Which I think also carrys the booking code Y

[Flashware]

Y FullFlex - Which I think also carrys the booking code Y

In that case AA would be a good program to credit to. Do note though, that to upgrade QF flights you do need to have QFF points and can't use your AA points to upgrade.

I would be tempted though, to just credit to QFF as the AA minimum mileage guarantee does not kick in until you earn some form of status with them.

[penegal]

I would be tempted though, to just credit to QFF as the AA minimum mileage guarantee does not kick in until you earn some form of status with them.

Ahk, So not worth it until I can get a couple of the USA trips on the AA card to kick status along? When does the min milage guarentee kick in?

As a side note, Can I earn OW points on EY flights to AUD, or do I need to book using the QF codeshare codes to earn points?

[QF009]

Ahk, So not worth it until I can get a couple of the USA trips on the AA card to kick status along? When does the min milage guarentee kick in?

As a side note, Can I earn OW points on EY flights to AUD, or do I need to book using the QF codeshare codes to earn points?

You need at least AA Gold (25k EQM/EQP or 5k on AA metal + $$ for Gold challenge) for the min mileage guarantee. When you get to AA Platinum status (50k EQM/EQP or 10k on AA metal + $$ for Platinum challenge) you get a further mileage bonus on QF and select airline partners on top of the min mileage guarantee.

AFAIK you could book the QF codeshare to get QFF points and SCs on EY flights due to the special QF/EY bilateral agreement. I don't think you'd be able to get other forms of OW miles on EY flights as you generally need to be on a flight that's both operated and marketed by a OW airline.

[penegal]

You need at least AA Gold (25k EQM/EQP or 5k on AA metal + $$ for Gold challenge) for the min mileage guarantee. When you get to AA Platinum status (50k EQM/EQP or 10k on AA metal + $$ for Platinum challenge) you get a further mileage bonus on QF and select airline partners on top of the min mileage guarantee.

Gotcha. I don't think Gold/Plat would take too long to achieve if I took a couple of international sectors on OW insted of *A.

Would you say that once status is achieved AA is a better program?

AFAIK you could book the QF codeshare to get QFF points and SCs on EY flights due to the special QF/EY bilateral agreement. I don't think you'd be able to get other forms of OW miles on EY flights as you generally need to be on a flight that's both operated and marketed by a OW airline.

Thanks for your help

[futaris]

If you're mainly flying B or Y fares (sometimes fully flex is B), then AAdvantage will better reward you. If you're in classes higher than that (Business / First), then the SC earn is greater on QFF, particularly as a percentage of Lifetime Status.

Once you have status in either it doesn't really make much difference, except in the case of irregular operations (irrops) and seating prefs. The airlines tend to look after their own FF members first rather than others in the same alliance. Although, this isn't always the case, as CX often treat all Oneworld Elites well.

Also, what do you want to do with your points once you've earnt them? If you want to redeem for premium rewards, then AA is better. If you want to redeem for upgrades, then QFF is probably better, unless you plan to fly long-haul on AA.

Once you've reached AA Plat or EXP, you'll have QANTAS Club access, and access to any other Oneworld lounge (when flying Oneworld). However, you won't have access to the lounges in the USA, unless you're flying internationally.

If you get QANTAS WP, then the main advantage is Anytime lounge access...

NB, if you want to do the AA Challenge, you don't need to fly on AA metal, just on an AA fare (codeshare)...

[v8Statesman]

The airlines tend to look after their own FF members first rather than others in the same alliance. Although, this isn't always the case, as CX often treat all Oneworld Elites well.

I am sure I heard a rumor that CX didn't like AA OWE's as much as other OWE. I think it was due to the nature of Americans demanding OP-Ups as per the norm in the USA.

[QF009]

I am sure I heard a rumor that CX didn't like AA OWE's as much as other OWE. I think it was due to the nature of Americans demanding OP-Ups as per the norm in the USA.

That's just at check in. Unless some cheeky agent decides to enter a nasty remark on the PNR where the crew can see.