is it worth parking your extra SCs with AAdvantage?

[haggiscat]

I am just short of P1 this year and as my travel next year has been curtailed, P1 is out of the question. I have heard many members referring to AA Advantage, and suggesting that members who easily requalify for Platinum should park their SC/FF points with AA due to better redemptions.

Is anyone doing this? I would still have access to the Lounges as OWE even when flying as an AAdvantage member, right? And then I could, for example, skip over to the UK via LAX and NYC and probably enjoy an enhanced upgrade experience, as opposed to slogging it out in economy via Dubai (vomit)?

 

[HKGNZL]

I will just make P1 this yr but have the same query as what to do with my SC afterwards. Presumably if I register AA (no status) number on the ticket I won't get priority seat choice etc? Can still use lounge by flashing the QF platinum card?

 

[samh004]

I will just make P1 this yr but have the same query as what to do with my SC afterwards. Presumably if I register AA (no status) number on the ticket I won't get priority seat choice etc? Can still use lounge by flashing the QF platinum card?

Use your QFF number to select seats etc, change it at checkin or before checkin, even sometimes in the lounge!

And yes, you get lounge access with the card despite it not be used to credit the ticket to, so long as you meet the conditions, like flying a OW airline

 

[Kangol]

The earn and burn rate is generally better on AA than QFF.
However your travel patterns, routes, cabins flown, and what you plan to spend your points on are what will determine if switching will be worthwhile for you.
Some people who easily make it to QF WP don't come close to the equivalent AA EXP based on the earn strategy.
If you have some idea of what and where your travel patterns are for the next year, compared to the past year, put it up and some of us will be able to give you an idea of what's better.
If it's going to be unpredictable, then thinking of what you want to use your points on and what you most value from having status will give you an idea..

 

[HKGNZL]

Thanks Kangol. Traveling is not very predictable but 80+% international. 50% Y and J each. Depend on trip funding may have to get the best price at the time (i.e. not always OW or QF).

This year, 340 hrs flight time including three trips to US (from PER): 2x J on CX; 1x J on QF; three trips to Europe - all part Y and part J on AY, BA and TK; plus several trips to Asia (all Y - PVG, HKG, JKT).

Next 6 months: PER to multiple cities in India; to PHL; to IST; to Malaysia and a few domestic flights.

I have max out the 4 bonuses from QF this year; will make WP1 in the next trip. What is best to do with points and SC afterwards? Spend on *A or AA Advantage or stay QF?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

ISTR somebody saying it was better to credit KUPPs to QF vs AA.

Almost requalified for WP & my year doesn't end until 31 Aug 2013 so was curious if I do JASA on QF whether it's eligible to earn points & credit to AA or only QF?

Remember to be considered for op-ups etc you would need your WP/WP1 number in the booking at the time QF actions these as OWE status will put you at the bottom of the pile ie out of the running for an op-up so nil status with AA would be even worse.

I would checkin with the QF WP number still in the pnr so your boarding pass so when you go onboard the CSM who greets you at the door sees your QF status. Prior to boarding in the lounge I would ask them to change your QF ffn to your AA one & they will give you a new boarding pass & hopefully not ask for the old one back. I guess you could do OLCI & print an extra boarding pass to be on the safe side.

If you're seated in Emerald City on the A380 the crew would probably assume you've got OWE status although the pax manifest will only show your AA ffn with nil status.

 

[madrooster]

if I do JASA on QF whether it's eligible to earn points & credit to AA or only QF?

If they book into U class, then QF only.

 

[HKGNZL]

Even with those tricks I assume on a no status AA flight you will earn a lot less points (without the WP bonus). Will that still favor using AA?

 

[serfty]

Even with those tricks I assume on a no status AA flight you will earn a lot less points (without the WP bonus). Will that still favor using AA?

It depends upon the distance; but to get a leg up, there is the AA "Platinum Challenge" - earn 10K EQP's in the 3 months after registering and you will have PLAT AAdvantage status until early next year. (Platinum give 100 bonus RDM earn.)

See here for more: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-platinum-challenge-mileage-earning-8595.html

 

[11sjw]

Do AA also have a minimum number of legs that must be flown with them?

 

[serfty]

Do AA also have a minimum number of legs that must be flown with them?

It's in the AAdvantage T&C's that 4 segments must be AA, but has not been enforced for many years.

There's at least one member of this forum who attained/retained EXP status without setting foot on an AA aeroplane ...

 

[11sjw]

It's in the AAdvantage T&C's that 4 segments must be AA, but has not been enforced for many years.

There's at least one member of this forum who attained/retained EXP status without setting foot on an AA aeroplane ...

Interesting to know. Thanks.