JAL Mileage Bank vs Qantas FF?

[tdimdad]

Following the great article about reaching QFF Platinum (OW Emerald), out of interest I checked what other options are there with my desired travel pattern (once we get going again in full). With QFF, I can hold onto Gold quite OK but would not get even close to Platinum with my usual travels / foreseen travel pattern.

As I'd go to Europe twice a year and could easily add a third trip, that pattern would bring me close to OW Emerald in Japan Airlines Mileage Bank (if I travel in PE and have calculated correctly). This assuming that after reaching JMB Sapphire, they'd invite me to the JAL Global Club and through that I'd eventually get close to JGC Premier (and would use my AU domestic volume to push over the qualification threshold).

But what'd be the difference in travel experience and services available on QF domestic flights, and on QF/JL/other OW international flights?

 

[andye]

I don't know much about Mileage Bank though am a member. It's worth looking into BA Exec Club too as OW Emerald status is attainable on your pattern if you can do 4 BA flights.

In terms of QF v Non-QF OW status there aren't a huge number of differences. Some that come to mind are

Actual flight experience should be similar

QF Lounge: QF Gold and above will often be allowed to bring whole family in but will definitely be restricted to 1 guest with non-QF. Recently the QF Int J lounges were closed but Y flyers with QF Gold and above were allowed into the F lounge. Other OW status were left with no lounge

Redemptions: QF Gold has some increased QF award seat availability, QF Plat more so. JAL has some partners eg Korean China Eastern AF EK Hawaiian that may be of interest. BA has some non-OW eg Aer Lingus but these are more niche

IRROPS: QF status holders should be in a better position if things go wrong on a QF flight but with the current state of the call centres that is not such a big thing

International Status Credits: QF earns fewer SCs on non-QF flights to Asia, Europe & US. JAL and BA don't penalise you

Emirates: Not sure if you can earn SCs on EK flights with JALMB though they are a partner. Interestingly can earn BA Tier Points/Avios on EK metal with QF flight numbers. Can't redeem EK with BA

 

[NM]

One of the big benefits for an Australian based QFF Platinum member is the ability to request release of FF redemption seats on QF flights when no classic awards are available on-line. No guarantee that they will release seats, but many Plat above members report good success with the request process.

 

[andye]

Another thing is the ability to earn points on the ground.
No good credit card options for BA or JAL though BA does have Avios sales from time to time. I'm hoping a QR credit card option comes up to earn Avios

And you can only upgrade QF flights with QF points. Higher QF status puts you up the list for international upgrades though not easy as QF Gold as so many Plats/P1s