Article: The Best Programs for Earning Oneworld Status

[_TheTraveller_]

Fair points, but it should be noted that, post COVID, WPs don't have any advantages over other QFF members in terms of award availability now that T-365 releases, in practice, no longer happen for the most part (apart from award release requests, which I already mentioned).

Do SG/WP not see more standard availability outside of T-365? I believe that's still the case?

 

[levelnine]

Do SG/WP not see more standard availability outside of T-365? I believe that's still the case?

They have theoretical access to seats before lower tier members, but in practice it now means nothing — Qantas have largely stopped releasing award seats at T-365, especially in premium cabins on long haul routes.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

They have theoretical access to seats before lower tier members, but in practice it now means nothing — Qantas have largely stopped releasing award seats at T-365, especially in premium cabins on long haul routes.

I don't mean at T-365 but rather during day to day searches. I have friends who have no status and I can see more availability than them when we're doing random searches. This was before I was P1.

 

[SYD]

They have theoretical access to seats before lower tier members, but in practice it now means nothing — Qantas have largely stopped releasing award seats at T-365, especially in premium cabins on long haul routes.

For premium seats on QFi.

They do release seats in whY (but who wants those?) Well actually a lot of QFF with kids etc…

Also, domestic from what I can tell has had no real change on CR seats availability. They make up a fair proportion of the “5 million” CR seats…

 

[levelnine]

I don't mean at T-365 but rather during day to day searches. I have friends who have no status and I can see more availability than them when we're doing random searches. This was before I was P1.

I've never seen that. But I haven't done any extensive A/B testing, so couldn't rule it out. If it does occur, I think it's rare as you don't read about it occurring very often (at all?!).

 

[andye]

Iberia is worthy of consideration
I just requalified OWS with a single SYD-HND-LHR/ZRH-HEL-HND-SYD J trip.

The status threshold for OWS is at least as "easy" to attain as QF and BA but no need to fly on any specific oneworld airline. OWE is a bit harder than BA (equivalent of 3 Au-Eu business trips)

This is a good summary of status

The Different Tiers Of Iberia Plus

Elite status gives benefits with Iberia and all oneworld partner airlines

simpleflying.com

I did have difficulties last year chasing up a missing flight though. The IT makes QF look good

 

[dairyfloss]

Iberia is worthy of consideration
I just requalified OWS with a single SYD-HND-LHR/ZRH-HEL-HND-SYD J trip.

The status threshold for OWS is at least as "easy" to attain as QF and BA but no need to fly on any specific oneworld airline. OWE is a bit harder than BA (equivalent of 3 Au-Eu business trips)

This is a good summary of status

The Different Tiers Of Iberia Plus

Elite status gives benefits with Iberia and all oneworld partner airlines

simpleflying.com

I did have difficulties last year chasing up a missing flight though. The IT makes QF look good

Agreed - I posted the below around IB a couple of years ago, and it looked like it might be a solid contender for LT OWE status vs BA, as well. QFF LTG is now going to be July this year, for me... so I need to get to thinking!

I was about 1.5-2 years off QFF LTG when COVID struck, and not sure when I'll get there, now... but I'd been considering a switch to Iberia Plus once I reached LTG. Though not talked about much, they look to be one of the easier airlines to make the numbers for, particularly if you don't have a travel pattern that would get you the 4 BA flights a year you would need to maintain OWE with Executive Club.

Some benefits I've read up on for Iberia Plus status... No need to fly IB metal/marketed to attain/retain status. OW partner flights earn about the same as IB flights - no penalties for MH, QR etc. (very relevant for some, with changes to MH earn on QF from August!). Premium economy credits higher than most. Points earning is also Avios, which can be used directly for IB, BA & QR... and via IB on OW partners. Qualify IB Plus Platino (OWE) and get the current year + 2 years additional of status. Retain by earning double the base anytime over the 2 years, or just get the base amount again in year 2. Lifetime Emerald at 20 'tier years', vs 23 years for BA, and 54 tier years for QF.

I put this together when researching, hoping it might help someone who's not sure where to jump:



The 'tier years' simply refers to the number of qualifying years needed to get the LT status. It's based on the band it's in, so obviously you'd get to LTG with QFF faster than 20 years if you are making Platinum each year.

Cheers,
Matt.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[andye]

IB does lack the equivalent of BA GGL (in the mix if you were earning enough to consider LTOWE) which has all sorts of goodies.

 

[cwd]

I don't mean at T-365 but rather during day to day searches. I have friends who have no status and I can see more availability than them when we're doing random searches. This was before I was P1.

I've seen this too, at ~T-100. Plenty of availability on various days for WP, but not for NB. For international in Y.

 

[dairyfloss]

IB does lack the equivalent of BA GGL (in the mix if you were earning enough to consider LTOWE) which has all sorts of goodies.

True - though unless I get into a role with a lot of international J/F travel, it's unlikely I'd reach the GGL level anyway. IB Plus Infinata (LT OWE), on the other hand... that may be possible with similar flying & cabin choices to what I'm already making, and ahead of the point I'd likely retire (still >20 years away)

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

True - though unless I get into a role with a lot of international J/F travel, it's unlikely I'd reach the GGL level anyway. IB Plus Infinata (LT OWE), on the other hand... that may be possible with similar flying & cabin choices to what I'm already making, and ahead of the point I'd likely retire (still >20 years away)

Cheers,
Matt.

In terms of cost, have you found IB Platino cheaper to obtain than BA Gold?

 

[dairyfloss]

In terms of cost, have you found IB Platino cheaper to obtain than BA Gold?

I haven't started with IB yet! QFF LTG is coming up for me in about 1.5 month's time, and then I need to figure out or reconfirm 'where to next'

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I haven't started with IB yet! QFF LTG is coming up for me in about 1.5 month's time, and then I need to figure out or reconfirm 'where to next'

I've done some rough math and look at some cheaper/interesting flights intra-asia, I'm finding BA Gold to be cheaper especially if you're in the EU and headed to the US.

Things can get as cheap as ~5K for BA Gold vs ~6K for Platino with intra-asia flights. I haven't looked at IB in more detail but this is just some rough napkin math.

 

[dairyfloss]

I've done some rough math and look at some cheaper/interesting flights intra-asia, I'm finding BA Gold to be cheaper especially if you're in the EU and headed to the US.

Things can get as cheap as ~5K for BA Gold vs ~6K for Platino with intra-asia flights. I haven't looked at IB in more detail but this is just some rough napkin math.

Keep in mind that IB Platino gives you the additional year of status when qualifying though (current year + 2 more… or at least it appeared that way when I last looked), which might help with the figures somewhat? I’ve not gotten too far into the detail yet; but I guess I should!

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[SeaWolf]

What's the correct thing?

Points transferred in from other programs (like Marriott) don't count as loyalty points, so the described method wouldn't work. Same with transferred credit card points (though I don't think AA have an Australian partner any more). Credit card points earned from a co-branded card do count though.