Hi everyone! Joining after a few visits for much needed advice. Where do I post to ask for more? :)

[ef1jone]

Finally joined! The site's been a help before and I've built a bit of experience in my travels by now, so hopefully I can help out too. I have a work trip situation coming up that I need some guidance on maximisation (3 return trips MEL->FRA in 3 months. Where do I ask this?

 

[Steady]

Welcome aboard @ef1jone Have a look at the travel resources thread as a start

 

[BenG]

Welcome @ef1jone , I'd recommend having a look around the different forums, there is plenty of great information already available in them, from there if you still have questions I'm sure you'll be able to find answers amongst our members.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Welcome to AFF. Not much to go on for me to direct you to an appropriate thread.

 

[ef1jone]

A bit more context in case it helps direct me:
I work in Europe quite bit (6/7 trips p/year) have 3 return work trips between Melbourne and Frankfurt in January, February and March. Probably another in June. There would be some airline travel once I arrive within as well. My company only pays for Economy class tickets. I have Platinum status with Etihad, and need 50k tier miles by April 2025 to retain. I also have Executive Status with ITA Airways (SkyTeam Elite Plus) as they matched me.
Conscious also that I lose VA lounge access and reward seat bookings on 1st June due to the Etihad-VA partnership ending.
My questions are:
1) Should I try and retain Etihad Platinum and just take all 3 trips with them?
2) These 3 trips would net me Gold status with many other airlines, should I jump ship? And who would be the best bet to go with? My gut is saying Qatar.
3) Is there a well-documented strategy for accelerating points/status earn on trips like these in quick succession?

I'm assuming all of these can be answered and have been, so happy for a nudge in the right direction to the resources. Thanks in advance!

 

[drron]

A warm welcome @ef1jone . As to help I guess it first depends on how much you like Etihad. If you love it continue.
Seeing you are in the VA program then QR or SQ would be contenders. I think a lot of people are unduly pessimistic about the VA changes and their impact re SQ.

 

[Mwenenzi]

A bit more context in case it helps direct me:
I work in Europe quite bit (6/7 trips p/year) have 3 return work trips between Melbourne and Frankfurt in January, February and March. Probably another in June. There would be some airline travel once I arrive within as well. My company only pays for Economy class tickets. I have Platinum status with Etihad, and need 50k tier miles by April 2025 to retain. I also have Executive Status with ITA Airways (SkyTeam Elite Plus) as they matched me.
Conscious also that I lose VA lounge access and reward seat bookings on 1st June due to the Etihad-VA partnership ending.
My questions are:
1) Should I try and retain Etihad Platinum and just take all 3 trips with them?
2) These 3 trips would net me Gold status with many other airlines, should I jump ship? And who would be the best bet to go with? My gut is saying Qatar.
3) Is there a well-documented strategy for accelerating points/status earn on trips like these in quick succession?

I'm assuming all of these can be answered and have been, so happy for a nudge in the right direction to the resources. Thanks in advance!

What does status do for you/hope to do for you?
Etihad not being in an alliance and with some what random partners may not give what you want
Gold in 1 ffp is not always the same level as gold in another ffp. In Oneworld several airlines have "gold" but is not the same tier level.

QR Qatar is in Oneworld. Uses avios as ff currency as do BA, AY, IB., IE. Avios, but not status, can be moved between the ffp that use avios, subject to t&c's. Is a close relationship between QRPC & BAEC. So QR ffp can earn on oneworld airlines (QR, BA, QF, AA, CX. UL etc). and other partners (VA) Note QR ff earnings on QF can be nil or low. For any flight check the avios and status earning.

Going indirect can boost earnings. MEL-SYD-XYZ-FRA instead of MEL-XYZ-FRA.
For so many trips a year to EU in economy is a hard slog. Not a generous employer if expected to work on the day/day after you arrive. Could you fly PE if the price was close to economy?

 

[DC3]

And welcome to AFF