comparing oneworld FF programmes

Status
Not open for further replies.

katiebell

Active Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
627
Has anyone compared OW FF programmes recently? Given the way QF constantly 'enhances' its product whilst reducing QFi destinations I am looking at changing loyalty programme. Currently QF FF WP LTG. Typical flights are AUS-LHR with lots of short haul into EUR and arounf AUS + occ rtw via Canada. Avoid USA & US airlines if at all possible

Very interested in your thoughts on other programmes' benefits and drawback,

Thanks K
 
Your domestic Australia flights, are they usually cheapest, flexi or business as that'll likely determine where those flights can be credited?
 
My major program is Aadvantage.2 years ago it was a no brainer but today AA has also enhanced their program.One of the things that was too good was lifetime status where all miles counted so I was able to get from LTG to LTP in 18 months.That has now ended and now more difficult than QFF to get lifetime status.Also generally easier to get to OWE on QF than AA.
Why I still like AA is the earn and burn ratio.I generally earn the same or more miles than mrsdrron who is WP.That is because we do fly J and I get the status bonus on more airlines than she does with QFF.Simiarly my main use of miles is premium cabin awards.I find AA much better than QFF for that.In fact on 3 occasions now I have been able to get J awards on QF through AA that were not available with QFF.

So it really depends on where you travel,your class of travel and what you want from your FF program.However it is likely that in the future which ever program you choose it will be enhanced.
 
However it is likely that in the future which ever program you choose it will be enhanced.

Unlike many things in life, with frequent flyer programs the good days gone were really the good days!
 
I believe AA also doesn't charge fuel surcharges, or at least as higher surcharges, as other OW airlines on its redemptions which is another thing that makes it attractive...
 
What benefit do you covert the most?

You don't earn points on CIA kidnapping flights.

I believe AA also doesn't charge fuel surcharges, or at least as higher surcharges, as other OW airlines on its redemptions which is another thing that makes it attractive...

The downside to AA is awards for children under 2 can't be obtained. You have to pay 10% of the scheduled fare for the class of service you are travelling in - which can be expensive on premium awards.
 
I believe AA also doesn't charge fuel surcharges, or at least as higher surcharges, as other OW airlines on its redemptions which is another thing that makes it attractive...

An exception to this is AA awards on BA flights, where fuel surcharges are payable.


Across any program, it's important to note that:
  • With Economy classes, not all class codes credit to all frequent flyer programs. For example, some Qantas discount Economy codes do not credit anything to AA's programme.
  • Business or First is generally not constrained in the same way (i.e. they all are eligible for earn - except possibly for award classes - and usually earn at a consistent rate)

For earn and burn, I'd nominate AA first up, with BA (Avios) second. AA has no fuel surcharges except on BA redemptions. BA has good quality redemptions for at least Y (J and F quite a bit more) but of course will incur fuel surcharges.


For elite status, probably BA or QF are the best in oneworld. AA is quite easy for lower levels (i.e. Ruby and Sapphire), not so for Emerald. CX only counts high Economy and above classes towards status, and has higher requirements at Emerald than AA does, but if you can make it, apparently it's a very rewarding programme.

Other things to consider is that you can only get credit cards in Australia which can transfer points (directly) to QF and CX (from what I can tell). Transfer of points to AA or BA (and possibly others) can be achieved through hotel programmes (e.g. SPG), but not sure of the economics. (Most people regard the Amex -> SPG -> AA transfer as reasonable).

Do note that with BA you can't be an Australian resident and enroll. You would need to find a way to have a non-Australian address (e.g. UK address).

With MH coming on board, they may be a possibility. Apparently some people have been getting some excellent redemptions with MH, even in Business and First (though it hasn't been smooth sailing a process). Of course, the recent 50% off redemptions offer is still fresh in everyone's mind - anyone's guess as to whether that will happen again. From a status point of view, Gold appears reasonable to get in Enrich, but Platinum is a consistent effort demonstrated over 3 years and needs J and F flying to achieve it. MH may change the terms of its Enrich programme in terms of status levels and earn and burn once oneworld membership officially starts, but we'll see. You can also transfer some Australian credit card points to MH.

I don't have much knowledge of many of the other oneworld programmes, i.e. JL Mileage Bank, LA LANPass, S7 Priority, RJ, AY Plus... though my gut tells me that they aren't as popular (at least for Australians) as the others.

All in all, have you also considered switching alliances (e.g. Star Alliance, even Virgin Velocity and partners)?
 
Thank you everyone for your tips and advice.

TO answer the questions: my domestic and shorthaul Euro flights are 2/3 cheapest 1/3 flexi. Transtasman and UK-near East 1/2 economy, 1/2 business. Longhaul all J.

As to what I value: OWE and its benefits most pf all. I have heaps or FF points I have not been able to use but do intend to take some flights in the future. Recently tried points upgrade to F but was disappointed: I got a better sleep in BA J than QF F...

I have thought about *A but not so keen on the human factors and CRM in the coughpit and the potential rosks for safety. Also feedback from colleagues who have flown J in SQ has not been ancouraging.

Any more tips and thoughts most welcome.
 
The downside to AA is awards for children under 2 can't be obtained. You have to pay 10% of the scheduled fare for the class of service you are travelling in - which can be expensive on premium awards.

While that might be a bit of a pain that they can't fly for free, the fact that its only 10% means its probably cheaper than actually buying enough miles for the infants award redemption... I mean for a J return that might cost $6000 that is only a charge of $600... Which is cheaper than buying the miles for the J award which often only equates to a 50-60% saving of a regular fare unless you go after somethign quite exoctic???

And yeah the BA surcharge was what i was alluding to when i said AA still charges some fuel surcharges...
 
but today AA has also enhanced their program.
What announcement did they make today?

For elite status, probably BA or QF are the best in oneworld. AA is quite easy for lower levels (i.e. Ruby and Sapphire), not so for Emerald.
Just like all things, YMMV.

One example is 100 discount Y MEL-SYD sectors.
On QFF, that is SG (OWS) and ~halfway to WP (OWE). The same on AA is EXP (OWE).

If you reduce that to 60 of the same sectors, on QFF that is PS (OWR), almost SG (OWS). The same on AA is PLT (OWS).

Alternatively two MEL-LHR returns in F on QFF gets you WP (OWE). On AA that is ~63k EQPs which is PLT (OWS).

The same route in discount Y (LMV class) will require 12 return flights to get you QF WP (OWE) but only 5 return flights on AA to get the equivalent EXP (OWE).

It all depends on who you are flying with, the route and sector and on what flight numbers...
 
Just like all things, YMMV.

One example is 100 discount Y MEL-SYD sectors.
On QFF, that is SG (OWS) and ~halfway to WP (OWE). The same on AA is EXP (OWE).

That's a good point that I forgot about. Could work for our OP if a lot of small discount (non-flexible) Y flying is done.

Perhaps the only thing to note would be to make sure that those sectors still count for credit under AA. Since most sale fares in discount Y book into O, I think this is mostly not a problem. Some sale fares book into E - maybe this is a deprecated practice now - but this is not on the QF chart for earning under AA. The other Red e-Deal classes - N and Q - do not earn under AA (so I assume flying under those classes does not count for an elite segment).

As it turns out, to have status with AA you need to fly four segments on AA. Not a big deal really, but should be noted anyway.


I guess I should also note that, it seems very obvious, but typically elite benefits of a FFP will benefit you most when you fly with the host airline. For example with AA, AA EXP status gives you many upgrade instruments - 500 milers, unlimited complimentary upgrades, systemwide upgrades - but you can only apply these to AA flights. Of course there are some exceptions; mileage bonus is a common one (e.g. if you fly QF but credit to AA, you will still receive an elite mileage bonus).
 
Last edited:
Some sale fares book into E - maybe this is a deprecated practice now - but this is not on the QF chart for earning under AA. The other Red e-Deal classes - N and Q - do not earn under AA (so I assume flying under those classes does not count for an elite segment).

Pretty much all domestic Y sale fares book into E under the EPTSALE basis these days. The only catch here with AA is that once QF runs out of O fares (which do earn), they'll typically be Q fares (which don't earn) and when they run out of Q fares, it'll be N fares which again don't earn. Basically under AA you'd need to 1. book early enough or 2. book flexi's.
 
Subject to the non-earn concerns noted by other posters, definitely go with AAdvantage. Benefits include regular bonuses on purchased miles, and with a BNE-PER return in Y costing 20,000 miles (and usually good availability) you can usually purchase the required miles for around $400 - cheapest way to fly this route with QF.
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Status
Not open for further replies.

Enhance your AFF viewing experience!!

From just $6 we'll remove all advertisements so that you can enjoy a cleaner and uninterupted viewing experience.

And you'll be supporting us so that we can continue to provide this valuable resource :)


Sample AFF with no advertisements? More..
Back
Top