Another new blighter who knows nothing

[bkkrop]

Hi, I have been an avid reader of this forum for many years, but have always been intimidated from joining, by the vast knowledge of Qantas and OW the posters displayed as I had none whatsoever. I assume from the termonology that used that most of you are in the travel or related industry, and have grown up with QF, domestic and internationally.

As it has/may come to pass, 2009 will see my business move from Europe and SE Asia, more to China Japan and America maybe.

So I have to get up to scratch on all things OW, so whilst I may not post as often as most, I may poke my bib in if Paris, SQ, Bangkok, TG, DPS, Garuda, FCO, or Asian FFP's are mentioned.

I would appreciate your advice on what tools you use or find useful for OW bookings, I travel C/F, do you deal directly with your airline?, can I arrange the same level of customer service with for instance QF/CX for fasttracking, meet and greet in airports that I am not familar with?. I notice that many prefer an American FFP. Does OW have a BD (BMI), a FFP that gives ridiculous mileage points, we all need one of these!

Do I need Gold on this board?

Thanks and look forward to being flamed by the experts as I get used to how your site works, regards bkkrop

 

[v8Statesman]

Firstly Welcome bkkrop!

YOU will find us a very friendly bunch of people. You have nothing to fear.

Before we can really help you, It would help if we know what FF programs you are a member of allready, Status (if any) and what airlines you like to fly.

Given you mention BMI I am guessing you fly *A alot. So you many want to stick with *A.

Again YMMV and it will be hard to advise until we know a little more

Again Welcome.

Enjoy your stay.

PS. Admin would love you to join as a gold member. I personally feel I get several hundred times my dollar value back each year, so I happily pay it. That and the fact that keeping something like this running does have an out of pocket expense, and all who benefit from this page should (IMHO) help pay for it.

 

[Alanslegal]

Welcome, are you the bkkrop from way over there @ FT?

 

[bkkrop]

Thank you V8Statesman and Alanslegal I am, I do spend one hell of a lot of time in the BKK office, I am from MEL, country Victoria and fly SQ and TG predominately every month throughout Asia, twice yearly to Europe and Garuda within indonesia. I am *G. I use Hyatt, Starwood SPG and Hilton for hotels and I don't drive. I need to shift my status to QF or CX or someone else who is more into MEL to USA and China. First I need an OW airline program that is generous but respected. In a nutshell, I imagine you can see what I am doing, moving away from using SIN/BKK as hubs, and creating MEL as my primary hub or HK when further afield, making China and America more accessable. I shall easily retain TG gold, let SQ go, I love Garuda, so I just need this important NEW next program or is the prevailing opinion that you can't do better than QF where I already am. regards bkkrop

 

[Dave Noble]

First I need an OW airline program that is generous but respected. In a nutshell, I imagine you can see what I am doing, moving away from using SIN/BKK as hubs, and creating MEL as my primary hub or HK when further afield,

Given your travel being in premium cabins, I would suggest the American scheme. It should be easy for you to get Platinum status and so earn 100% miles on travel. Fly 67,000 miles a year in premium cabins and you should be able to attain Executive Platinum status

Redemption rates are typically a lot lower than qantas. e.g. SYD-LHR return costs 256,000 Qantas points vs 120,000 AA points in business class . in 1st class it is 384,000 vs 160,000 points

Given that you would be earning points at the same rate in either scheme, you would be well ahead


Dave

 

[Keith009]

Welcome to FT, bkkrop!

First I need an OW airline program that is generous but respected.

I don't know what you mean by "generous but respected." Perhaps you could elaborate what you're looking for in a program? If you want status - go with QFF, as it's probably the easiest scheme to get status in OW for someone in Oz and you get treated pretty well if you fly QF often with WP status. If you're concerned about earn/burn - AAdvantage is probably as good as it gets within OW. Not exactly OW's answer to BMI but for someone flying premium, AAdvantage is probably the best value within OW. AFAIK, AA doesn't enforce the 'min 4 segments on AA' rule to gain status either.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Redemption rates are typically a lot lower than qantas. e.g. SYD-LHR return costs 256,000 Qantas points vs 120,000 AA points in business class . in 1st class it is 384,000 vs 160,000 points

And with QF rewards you still to pay $$$ for surcharges. However if you want upgrades on QF flights on QF aircraft you need QF points. AA miles cannot be used for upgrade on a QF aircraft. Putting CC points to QF and then using these points for QF upgrades is what some people do.

 

[bkkrop]

Dave Noble, QF009 and Mwenenzi, thank you

This is turning into a steep learning curve and I appreciate your imput.

The figures are all different, America used to cost 220,000 in F, but I have two return trip upgrades per year and a 50% redemption also, so often I used the 170,000 in C and upgraded. Now I can do it for 160,000 already with AA. With my declining *A, the whole ball game will change and I have always been a supporter of using a national carrier to the point of arrival.

I can see the benefits in QF with the upcoming A380 out of MEL, the new spa lounge which I like very much, what I really need is a OW BMI, has anyone already worked out who gives the most on C/F, is it AA? .

Or isn't it that simple meaning I can't use one to pay/upgrade on another?

What did I mean by "respected". I thought someone might have recommended a South American or Third world carrier, I was completely unaware of how the system worked.

What do I want, firstly the best lounges, secondly guaranteed seating, thirdly "no hassle" redemptions, fourth would have to be an airline that flies F to the areas I travel and finally no babies in F class. Yep that just about covers it, thanks and regards bkkrop

 

[drron]

If you will fly 67000 miles a year in premium cabins then Aadvantage is the way to go.What I like upon reaching Explat is the 8 EVIPs I get.This means I can up grade from J to F as soon as everything is paid and ticketed.EG I had to pay for my current globalex at end of may as it is 19 segments.As soon as it showed up ticketed in my AA account I rang the explat desk and had confirmed upgrades to F on the JFK-LHR segment 4 months before flying and it costs NO miles.
As well I have found it easier to get awards,they generally cost less miles,certainly less in charges and I have found the agents do go out of their way to try and accommodate your requests.
Of course I still fly QF in and out of Australia-I just wont get upgraded.On CX though I hsave been upgraded ~15% of flights since making explat.
And welcome again to AFF.

 

[Keith009]

...what I really need is a OW BMI, has anyone already worked out who gives the most on C/F, is it AA? .

Let's just say that the BMI scheme is SO out of whack with the entire industry that there's nothing, not in any alliance, quite like it. Like I said, flying J/F the best value, IMO, in OW would be AAdvantage.

 

[bkkrop]

If you will fly 67000 miles a year in premium cabins then Aadvantage is the way to go.What I like upon reaching Explat is the 8 EVIPs I get.This means I can up grade from J to F as soon as everything is paid and ticketed.EG I had to pay for my current globalex at end of may as it is 19 segments.As soon as it showed up ticketed in my AA account I rang the explat desk and had confirmed upgrades to F on the JFK-LHR segment 4 months before flying and it costs NO miles.
As well I have found it easier to get awards,they generally cost less miles,certainly less in charges and I have found the agents do go out of their way

Sounds like my sort of program, thanks all again, I shall haunt the AA board on FT for a while and "become an expert" regrads bkkrop