Asia Miles or QF for RTW?

[Captain hum]

I noticed that Asia miles have this product (-J class being 220,000 miles)

This awards chart is applicable when you redeem a round-trip award ticket with an itinerary which covers:

• Two oneworld alliance airlines, where Cathay Pacific or Dragonair is not included; or
• Three or more oneworld alliance airlines when Cathay Pacific or Dragonair is included.

You can choose from all oneworld alliance airlines on one award with a maximum distance range of up to 50,000 miles.

The QF RTW seems to be 280,000 miles for J class , with a cut off of 35,000 miles flown.

Can anyone let me know why one would be better than the other? Am I missing something?

Thanks

 

[pangwen]

The Asia Miles one has other restrictions IIRC, like a limit on transits as well as stopovers ("maximum of five stopovers, two transfers (transits?) and two open jaws..."). You would also need to have sufficient Asia Miles, which may be more difficult to come by in Australia (fewer AU cards allow crediting to Asia Miles compared to QFF).

 

[Captain hum]

I can transfer Amex membership rewards to Asia Miles, so no worries on that front. I'll compare the QF stopovers, but it still seems a good deal.....

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I can transfer Amex membership rewards to Asia Miles, so no worries on that front. I'll compare the QF stopovers, but it still seems a good deal.....

fyi: amex membership rewards -> SPG -> American Airlines bonus is on right now.
Almost transfer into AA at 1:1...

 

[pangwen]

I can transfer Amex membership rewards to Asia Miles, so no worries on that front. I'll compare the QF stopovers, but it still seems a good deal.....

The number of stopovers is the same (5 in each case), but QFF doesn't have the "2 transfers and two open jaws" limitations, but rather lets the overall 16 segment rule constrain you.

The effect of the 2 transfers+2 open jaws rule is that if you are going around the world, you have to find more direct flights with redemption availability on them.

When I was planning my RTW, for example, we had to go BNE-xKUL-xHKG-TPE and TPE-xHKG-xDXB-LHR due to lack of reward availability on the more direct flights (I realise there are no fully direct OW flights between BNE/LHR and TPE, I am referring to skipping the KUL and DXB transits).

 

[zainman]

fyi: amex membership rewards -> SPG -> American Airlines bonus is on right now.
Almost transfer into AA at 1:1...

AA no longer has a RTW award though do they?

 

[Danger]

AA no longer has a RTW award though do they?

Correct. AA did away with it about three years ago.

 

[Joshua]

AM is definitely 'better' value however the type of booking will be different as per the limits. 5 stops, 2 transits as mentioned. You can use stops up as transits instead. The open-jaws are its biggest advantage. These don't count as stops (so effectively 7 stopovers) and gives you great leverage in the booking depending on how you use it. With Asia Miles surface sectors don't count toward mileage so you can be very creative. Malaysia Enrich has a very similar alliance award chart but slightly more restricted. Most of the other rules are fairly similar. The AA equivalent which is no longer was by far the best in flexibility and cost.

QF is better for more getting more segments but you'll be limited by distance. If you're up for the challenge what I do is nest bookings like crazy e.g. use the Asia Miles award for you major intercontinental trips then book the shorter sectors through any other means. This optimises the award value but it can be very difficult to manage and plan because there are so many more variables.

Personally with oneworld programs: CX for these large alliance awards, AA for one ways (less $$), BA for short sectors, QF for.. well not much now... EK flights and maybe a segment heavy RTW award.