Moving to AAdvantage after QF LTG?

[beardoc]

As I'm nearing QFF LTG (about two years away), and there still being no possibility of LTP with QF, I'm thinking that there's really no point with going beyond that. If they had the Lifetime OWE program, I would stay with accumulating with QF, but since they don't, I'm giving serious thought to AAdvantage.

The reasons being:
* Better earn/burn (once you're an AA elite)
* Unlimited Upgrades within the USA
* 8 SWUs

Once I had QFF LTG, then I would have lounge access sorted in the US forever (except access to the AA Flagship Lounges, which I would lose, but I can cope with that).

As I fly almost weekly return (TMW-SYD-TMW), I wouldn't have a problem hitting 100 segments a year. I'd have to get the 4 segments on AA flights in the first year, but I would be looking at flying the the US to take advantage of the SWUs to Europe anyway, so would be looking at flying that way anyway, and would easily get the 4 flights required. And my annual DONEx flights usually would be scoring about 80000 EQPs regardless.

So the question is, is there any particular downfall with this plan once I have LTG? Any pitfalls I've missed?

EDIT: Just to be clear, if I moved to AAdvantage, I would have enough segments annually to achieve AA EXP, so I will remain OWE, albeit through AA instead of via QF.

 

[kempvet]

So the question is, is there any particular downfall with this plan once I have LTG? Any pitfalls I've missed?

Not that I can see, only that AA will be starting LAX-HKG flights on AA metal soon, you can use one SWU to go HKG-USA-EUROPE sometimes the routing can give you a day stop over in LAX for example, if you want to burn 35K AA miles, you can go SYD-HKG-USA-EUROPE in J.
Another tip, if you can manage it, is to book from Europe to Australia through the USA and back, it is far cheaper and can exploit loopholes in the 1 2 and 3 zoning and surcharges, but I am not going to post about this, send me a PM.

 

[kempvet]

Another tip, with the international SWUs is that you need to know the patronage of the routes, NRT-LAX you can often ask at the gate and get it, LAX-LHR on the new 777 no way at the gate, likely a few weeks and sometimes months before the trip you need to book and apply for the upgrade to be sure. They only set aside a few J seats for the SWU then you have to wait list and hope that the paying J passengers don't take up the rest, at the airport if they are spare J seats, it comes to to when the passenger wanting the SWU first applied for the upgrade (not necessarily when they booked).

 

[Mwenenzi]

As I'm nearing QFF LTG (about two years away),...

A lot can happen in 2 years with freq flyer programs & airlines. I would be considering options the the day after you get QF Lifetime Gold

I'd have to get the 4 segments on AA flights in the first year, but I would be looking at flying the the US to take advantage of the SWUs to Europe anyway, so would be looking at flying that way anyway, and would easily get the 4 flights required.

Reports on FT & here say that the 4 flight rule is (currently) not enforced by AA, even though its in the rules. At one time QF did not also enforce the 4 flight rule for acheiving status.

 

[moa999]

What are you missing out on..
Obviously the QF First lounges..., as well as other oneworld emerald lounges.

I selectively credit to AA, eg anything on MH and QR will probably go that way.

 

[beardoc]

What are you missing out on..
Obviously the QF First lounges..., as well as other oneworld emerald lounges.

I selectively credit to AA, eg anything on MH and QR will probably go that way.

As I'd be OWE through AA, rather than through QF, I'd still have access to the OW First Lounges when travelling on OW-marketed flights. However, I note that I would lose access to the DOM J Lounges and the QF F lounges when travelling on JQ itineraries, including if I got a cheap JQ SYD-AKL flight. I normally wait and fly QF on those routes, rather than JQ, anyway, but it's something to consider. If I was tied to doing F Lounge runs via JQ SYD-MEL flights, this wouldn't be a good thing, but that's something I can live without, I reckon.

Any other downsides?

 

[Paddy55]

Not that I can see, only that AA will be starting LAX-HKG flights on AA metal soon, you can use one SWU to go HKG-USA-EUROPE sometimes the routing can give you a day stop over in LAX for example, if you want to burn 35K AA miles, you can go SYD-HKG-USA-EUROPE in J.
Another tip, if you can manage it, is to book from Europe to Australia through the USA and back, it is far cheaper and can exploit loopholes in the 1 2 and 3 zoning and surcharges, but I am not going to post about this, send me a PM.

kemvet, could you PM me with your advice? Tried to PM you but your mailbox is quite full!

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

I selectively credit to AA, eg anything on MH and QR will probably go that way.

I second the selective crediting. Economy on MH, QR and BA should be credited to AAdvantage as the points earn is better than QFF. If you're in Business or First on MH or QR, the points earn on QFF is still onerous but the status credits will help you creep towards LTG.

 

[legroom]

After the WP requal (1200 SCs), I'd redirect the rest to AA since unlike beardoc, I won't be able to make / keep EXP on AA.

What are you missing out on..
Obviously the QF First lounges..., as well as other oneworld emerald lounges.

I selectively credit to AA, eg anything on MH and QR will probably go that way.

 

[amaroo]

Will keep a keen eye on things here.....have just reached LTG and thinking what should I do now?

After many years with QF - I've developed tunnel vision..........bit of research is required

 

[beardoc]

That depends, amaroo - are you likely to be able to hit the same status in AAdvantage? I admit that I have a little quirk in how I fly - I would be able to achieve EXP on segments (not usually miles or points, as many of the QF fares have poor mileage credit.

AA EXP seems harder than QF WP, as premium level status credits are easier to come across with QF. You still need at least 67000 miles of flying in full economy or above at a mimimum to get EXP. But the in air benefits on AA seem to be far better.

 

[amaroo]

That depends, amaroo - are you likely to be able to hit the same status in AAdvantage? I admit that I have a little quirk in how I fly - I would be able to achieve EXP on segments (not usually miles or points, as many of the QF fares have poor mileage credit.

For a little while longer - I'm a weekly commuter. However, diving back in after a three year break.....I've remembered why I stopped doing it

EXP seems harder than QF WP, as premium level status credits are easier to come across with QF. You still need at least 67000 miles of flying in full economy or above at a mimimum to get EXP. But the in air benefits on AA seem to be far better.

AA FF scheme looks stellar compared to QFF - value points redemptions, fuel/fees/taxes. I value the international benefits of OWE so would like to maintain this level of status.

I suppose it will all come down to point earning ability. I've got a decent discretionary spend on CC coupled with the sweet spot of having multiply business/super/personal ATO commitments. At the end of the day the point earning ability (excl flying) will be the big determiner on what I do.

QFF attempts to entice status hunters is very appealing - DSC, ASA now MASA, decent prices (specials) for int J fares, complimentary year of WP (if you've clocked up the BIS) are all pulling me towards remaining with QFF.

 

[JohnK]

The one downside is if Qantas introduces Lifetime Platinum you have fallen behind.

I will continue to credit to Qantas after reaching Lifetime Gold next month.

 

[kempvet]

The one downside is if Qantas introduces Lifetime Platinum you have fallen behind.

I will continue to credit to Qantas after reaching Lifetime Gold next month.

Does any airline give lifetime OWE or top tier status, think that it would take away of lot of revenue from the nearly qualified OWE member who go that extra 10k miles a year to maintain status.

 

[JohnK]

Does any airline give lifetime OWE or top tier status, think that it would take away of lot of revenue from the nearly qualified OWE member who go that extra 10k miles a year to maintain status.

You never know.

There was the slightest of hints from a top-tier frequent flyer on AFF that it could be 28,000 Lifetime SCs on Qantas metal only. It could also be higher. I would prefer to continue crediting to Qantas just in case as I do not want to waste any SCs on airline that cannot offer me better but only offer me the same status if not less than I have already.

The earn and burn is much of a muchness as I have well over 1 million QFF points which is more than enough to keep me going for another 4-5 years.

 

[bismarck]

I keep going back and forth on whether to credit all flights to QF, or if it's advantageous to credit the flights beyond a threshold (when I know I won't make the next threshold) to something like AA which has a much better burn rate.

I've started my flying pretty young so will almost certainly make LTG at some point in my life, and right now I'd probably prefer a better burn rate on points as I am cash poor. Decisions decisions....

 

[beardoc]

Does any airline give lifetime OWE or top tier status, think that it would take away of lot of revenue from the nearly qualified OWE member who go that extra 10k miles a year to maintain status.

Yes, BA does. Lifetime Gold with 35000 Tier Credits: https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/lifetime-gold

And Lifetime Gold Guest List with 100,000 Tier Credits: https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/lifetime-gold

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

I keep going back and forth on whether to credit all flights to QF, or if it's advantageous to credit the flights beyond a threshold (when I know I won't make the next threshold) to something like AA which has a much better burn rate.

I've started my flying pretty young so will almost certainly make LTG at some point in my life, and right now I'd probably prefer a better burn rate on points as I am cash poor. Decisions decisions....

My lifetime miles with AA are just over 400,000, and I've redeemed them in BA and AA First and QF, BA, and CX Business for flights which effectively represent an around the world as well 2 return trips SE Asia-North America. My Qantas redemptions can't hold a candle to that, and the fees and taxes are generally less than half what Qantas charges. I'm lifetime Silver with Qantas but have started to focus primarily on AA because the burn is so much better.

 

[amaroo]

My lifetime miles with AA are just over 400,000, and I've redeemed them in BA and AA First and QF, BA, and CX Business for flights which effectively represent an around the world as well 2 return trips SE Asia-North America. My Qantas redemptions can't hold a candle to that, and the fees and taxes are generally less than half what Qantas charges. I'm lifetime Silver with Qantas but have started to focus primarily on AA because the burn is so much better.

How do you accumulate your points? Mostly flights or CC?

If I could earn via CC I'd jump over in a flash...

 

[legroom]

If it helps, I'm planning to do the same.

AA crediting post 1200 SCs mark

I keep going back and forth on whether to credit all flights to QF, or if it's advantageous to credit the flights beyond a threshold (when I know I won't make the next threshold) to something like AA which has a much better burn rate.

Decisions decisions....