Article: The Best Programs for Earning Oneworld Status

[AFF Editor]

We've analysed the best frequent flyer programs for earning Oneworld status:

The Best Programs for Earning Oneworld Status

Is Qantas Frequent Flyer the best Oneworld loyalty program for earning status, or are there better options? We analyse the best programs for earning Oneworld Ruby, Sapphire or Emerald status.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Thanks to @I love to travel for suggesting this article topic.

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[Ade]

We've analysed the best frequent flyer programs for earning Oneworld status:

The Best Programs for Earning Oneworld Status

Is Qantas Frequent Flyer the best Oneworld loyalty program for earning status, or are there better options? We analyse the best programs for earning Oneworld Ruby, Sapphire or Emerald status.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Thanks to @I love to travel for suggesting this article topic.

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

Amazing article @AFF Editor - very informative and enjoyed reading it. I have also sent the link to my mates who are new to the status game and keep asking which airline they need to sign up with. Most of my mates/colleagues fly domestic for work (on QF/VA - BFOD) and some international to destinations serviced by QF/OW. So I think this article will put some perspective to them. Once again, a very informative article.

 

[Seat0B]

Yes I appreciated this article too as I am trying on the idea of breaking up with QF. Haven’t decided whether to move to another One World airline or change alliances completely.

 

[aus_flyer]

This is not correct:

In fact, to get AAdvantage status, you don’t even really need to fly with American Airlines at all. You could theoretically get AAdvantage Platinum status (Oneworld Sapphire) by transferring 337,500 Amex Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy (at a 3:2 rate) and then converting those Bonvoy points into AAdvantage miles (at a 3:1 rate). That would get you 75,000 AAdvantage miles, and therefore, 75,000 Loyalty Points.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Big downside to AA status is no lounge access in the USA and assuming you are earning that status by earning on a US credit card or flying on AA revenue that’s a big disadvantage.

AA is also cutting earnings from July 24 on all third party bookings unless booked directly through them or a “preferred travel agency”.

 

[WilsonM]

Big downside to AA status is no lounge access in the USA and assuming you are earning that status by earning on a US credit card or flying on AA revenue that’s a big disadvantage.

I guess this is balanced by upgrades? Although from the US bloggers I've read, this seems to be an extremely difficult benefit to materially use, as AA sells domestic F quite well.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I guess this is balanced by upgrades? Although from the US bloggers I've read, this seems to be an extremely difficult benefit to materially use, as AA sells domestic F quite well.

No not really because the upgrades still don’t grant lounge access domestically.

The bloggers have gone way off AA since the move to revenue and the upcoming loss of earnings on third party bookings.

 

[elanshin]

Just a note, if you know what you're doing.
QF WP isn't insanely expensive.

To retain: 1200 goal
50 from Green Tier ~$20
50 from loyalty bonus (you're going to pass at least 500 SC).

NZ status run J class OOL - MEL - AKL : 280 SC @~1500 on sale. With a DSC - 560
2 runs for 1120 for just over $3000-3500 AUD.

To earn WP for the first time you will need to get a bit more.

Of course you may not even need the second run if you're actually flying normally.

But that was something i just realised recently where if my goal was to just pay for OWE, QF actually is one of the cheaper options doing status runs. Plus you do get SC on award when flying QF metal.

The downside of using QF is well... You're flying QF which can isn't the greatest when compared to their partners in OW.

 

[Ade]

This is not correct:

In fact, to get AAdvantage status, you don’t even really need to fly with American Airlines at all. You could theoretically get AAdvantage Platinum status (Oneworld Sapphire) by transferring 337,500 Amex Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy (at a 3:2 rate) and then converting those Bonvoy points into AAdvantage miles (at a 3:1 rate). That would get you 75,000 AAdvantage miles, and therefore, 75,000 Loyalty Points.

What's the correct thing?

 

[AFF Editor]

This is not correct:

In fact, to get AAdvantage status, you don’t even really need to fly with American Airlines at all. You could theoretically get AAdvantage Platinum status (Oneworld Sapphire) by transferring 337,500 Amex Membership Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy (at a 3:2 rate) and then converting those Bonvoy points into AAdvantage miles (at a 3:1 rate). That would get you 75,000 AAdvantage miles, and therefore, 75,000 Loyalty Points.

Thanks, good pickup! We’ll correct the article.

 

[WilsonM]

No not really because the upgrades still don’t grant lounge access domestically.

The bloggers have gone way off AA since the move to revenue and the upcoming loss of earnings on third party bookings.

I'd 100% agree that having lounge access all the time flying domestically is better than a chance of a better seat. But more that it's a point of difference to non-US based Oneworld status, who can get lounge access but can't get upgrades. Is it better that way? For an AA or AS elite, probably not.

 

[andye]

Iberia qualification isn't too bad* if you fly on a mixture of OW and just want status perks. No need for any IB flights. The IT support is a bit flaky however

The Different Tiers Of Iberia Plus

Elite status gives benefits with Iberia and all oneworld partner airlines

simpleflying.com

*it's a better proposition for OWS than OWE though

 

[andye]

You do miss out on a few things by leaving QFF. No access to QF lounges for accompanying children for one. No lounge access on JQ or EK. QF Int upgrade priority too. Also WP award release though how that will evolve with Classic+ remains to be seen

 

[levelnine]

2 runs for 1120 for just over $3000-3500 AUD.

Although it isn't 'insanely expensive', that strikes me as a crazy high amount of money to pay for status unless you were absolutely milking the Platinum classic award request feature or drinking your bodyweight in wine multiple times per month in the first class lounge.

The beauty of AA is that you can get OWE for free if you know the right MS techniques. The main downside is the opportunity cost — that credit card spend could have been directed to cards with better multipliers.

 

[Ade]

MS techniques

What does MS techniques mean? Manufactured Spending?

The beauty of AA is that you can get OWE for free

I read somewhere about this and I forgot. Today, this article brought this back to my memory. Too bad I don't have any expenses to do in the US.

bodyweight in wine multiple times per month

That isn't healthy either! lol

absolutely milking

I'd think that there are other benefits from having QF WP status. Some benefits might be helpful for one and some benefits might be helpful for others.

I think the point to note here is that what are you, as the passenger benefitting by having that status - for someone I know, the ability to take their partner & kids into a lounge when travelling international or the ability to get first (sort of) dibs on CR seats. Imagine a family of 4 trying to book 4xCR seats to BLR or LAX or JFK etc and the thought that as WP you have the ability (not that you are actually able) to find seats you want. From the folks that I have talked to so far, it is different thing for different persons. Some even like the idea of having that status.

 

[levelnine]

Imagine a family of 4 trying to book 4xCR seats to BLR or LAX or JFK etc and the thought that as WP you have the ability (not that you are actually able) to find seats you want.

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).

 

[fly2earth]

Just a note, if you know what you're doing.
QF WP isn't insanely expensive.

To retain: 1200 goal
50 from Green Tier ~$20
50 from loyalty bonus (you're going to pass at least 500 SC).

NZ status run J class OOL - MEL - AKL : 280 SC @~1500 on sale. With a DSC - 560
2 runs for 1120 for just over $3000-3500 AUD.

To earn WP for the first time you will need to get a bit more.

Of course you may not even need the second run if you're actually flying normally.

But that was something i just realised recently where if my goal was to just pay for OWE, QF actually is one of the cheaper options doing status runs. Plus you do get SC on award when flying QF metal.

The downside of using QF is well... You're flying QF which can isn't the greatest when compared to their partners in OW.

$3000 for "proper" salt and pepper squid appetizer. Man, those inflation prices seem to get crazier year after year

 

[tdimdad]

But that was something i just realised recently where if my goal was to just pay for OWE, QF actually is one of the cheaper options doing status runs.

Yes, QFF is a surprisingly affordable if you want to manufacture status. One NZ run is nearly SG and second takes you closer to WP.

I've made the run an excuse to get to gradually know the country next door, spending a few days there. The next trip has been booked, again, and I'll requalify somewhere over Albury on the way back.

Why manufacture status when I can do BFOD to everywhere? To me there are two key reasons: I appreciate ease & simplicity when travelling, and it gives me options to reduce my time in the occasional mayhem of the terminals. It's a high price to pay for a more peaceful corner (food & shower often included) or better hopes of an upgrade but in the last few years I've realised how much it matters to me. Half of the cost is an investment in my own serenity and as long as I can do it and it makes sense, I keep on it. While usually buying Y flights, this kind of a "status supplement" works for me for now.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Another thing worth noting is that BA has partially gone to earn based on revenue spend. You still earn the same amount of TP for a sector as before but the Avios is a bit of witchcraft in calculating the £ fare.

Eg Previously LHR-GLA D class 40TP and 1500 Avios
Now 40TP and 548 Avios based on a recent flight of mine.

AA is earning solely based on revenue.

If QFF ever switched to this model the days of creative cheap routes for Plat are over.

 

[elanshin]

Another thing worth noting is that BA has partially gone to earn based on revenue spend. You still earn the same amount of TP for a sector as before but the Avios is a bit of witchcraft in calculating the £ fare.

Eg Previously LHR-GLA D class 40TP and 1500 Avios
Now 40TP and 548 Avios based on a recent flight of mine.

AA is earning solely based on revenue.

If QFF ever switched to this model the days of creative cheap routes for Plat are over.

We'll all just be AT Plat then with a yearly run through Casablanca!