Credit points to QF or AA - pros and cons?

[pagingjoan]

My search for a discussion on this topic did not bring up anything recent and relevant - but apologies if there is a thread that I've overlooked.

We are in the US and about to do an east coast - west coast - east coast run on AA. For both of us, requalifying for QF Plat/P1 is already sorted for 2013, so that's not an issue, and we are both LTG. (Very old people, obviously.)

Would be grateful for some views on the pros and cons of allocating points to QF or AA? What are the advantages () of acquiring status with AA, given existing OWE status, for example?

For context, we will be in the US again later this year, and usually have one visit a year to North America.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Pj

 

[moa999]

If already P1/LTG then I would be going to AA.

Main benefits - far better earn/burn rates - and lower fuel surcharges.
Substantially better upgrade benefits on AA flights with certs etc, and ability to upgrade on BA...

A few here can no doubt give more on the AA benefits, but as a recent LTGr myself, I am certainly looking at the other side.

 

[pagingjoan]

If already P1/LTG then I would be going to AA.

Main benefits - far better earn/burn rates - and lower fuel surcharges.
Substantially better upgrade benefits on AA flights with certs etc, and ability to upgrade on BA...

A few here can no doubt give more on the AA benefits, but as a recent LTGr myself, I am certainly looking at the other side.

Thanks for your quick response, moa999. It will be interesting - for both of us - to hear the views of others, too.

 

[CharlieDog]

Yeah, AA it is. Especially if you can upgrade on BA too.

 

[pagingjoan]

Yeah, AA it is. Especially if you can upgrade on BA too.

Tell me more? I haven't heard of this benefit? Sounds appealing.

 

[pagingjoan]

Okay, found it on the AA site, thank you.
Alas, I've become addicted to the benefits of QF ASAs, so hard to give up!

 

[simongr]

Personally if LTG I wouldn't be crediting to QF to get P1. Equally if flying enough to get P1 then I expect you are flying enough to get AA EXP and I would be crediting to AA completely.

The only downside to AA is if you are earning a lot of your points via CC spend. If that is the case then I think you need look at your total travel and spend profile and "run the numbers". There are a lot of variables to consider. I would also start with trying to work out what you want to achieve first.

 

[pagingjoan]

Personally if LTG I wouldn't be crediting to QF to get P1. Equally if flying enough to get P1 then I expect you are flying enough to get AA EXP and I would be crediting to AA completely.

The only downside to AA is if you are earning a lot of your points via CC spend. If that is the case then I think you need look at your total travel and spend profile and "run the numbers". There are a lot of variables to consider. I would also start with trying to work out what you want to achieve first.

Thanks for the helpful input, simongr.

My partner is P1 already and I will be this month without the AA flights, so that's not an issue - and I'm not sure it would be a priority anyway.

I certainly agree that the decision is far from straight forward, hence this thread. However, I will need to flip a coin quickly, as the first of the current AA flights is in a few hours time.

Most of our points are earned from flying, with a bit from credit cards.

What I would really like is reasonable status with Star Alliance to complement the OW - but, of course, AA doesn't help with that. Had high hopes of DJ filling the gap after the Plat Status Match but that hope disappeared without trace, so am considering other options there.

Again, thank you.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Personally if LTG I wouldn't be crediting to QF to get P1. Equally if flying enough to get P1 then I expect you are flying enough to get AA EXP and I would be crediting to AA completely.

The only downside to AA is if you are earning a lot of your points via CC spend. If that is the case then I think you need look at your total travel and spend profile and "run the numbers". There are a lot of variables to consider. I would also start with trying to work out what you want to achieve first.

If I was LTG the only flights I would be crediting are the N and O discounted economy QF fares which don't earn miles on AA. As it is, I've just reached LTS and am contemplating focusing on AA as my OW program because the usefulness of their points is miles ahead (no pun intended) of QF points.

 

[v8Statesman]

Personally if LTG I wouldn't be crediting to QF to get P1. Equally if flying enough to get P1 then I expect you are flying enough to get AA EXP and I would be crediting to AA completely.

The only downside to AA is if you are earning a lot of your points via CC spend. If that is the case then I think you need look at your total travel and spend profile and "run the numbers". There are a lot of variables to consider. I would also start with trying to work out what you want to achieve first.

I completely agree with Simon. My earning is BIS and all J fares. So it's a no brainer for me. I actually earn more with AA than QF (CX bonus miles) combine that with better burn rates and its a huge advantage. Good bye QF. Hello AA!


Sent from my Telstra iPhone using the Australian Frequent Flyer application.

 

[pagingjoan]

Thanks again, all of you, for your input.
Have started the AA credits and enrolled for the challenge. Return flights coast to coast his week will get me to the (impressive sounding but not much in fact) Gold in one hit. Then to tick off the Plat within the 3 months. It's a start, at least.