Joining AA FF Program for Aussie

jloh

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Mar 4, 2025
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American frequent flyer, does it make sense for Aussie to join program if you are not flying AA ? Note there are lots of reward seats especially business class between Australia and Asia like on Cathay Pacific and with lower points required and amount of money ( Not sure if AA are in USD) compare to Qantas and Velocity. Your thought please. Thanks
 
It can in some circumstances and for some people, but the opportunity to earn AAdvantage miles as an Aussie living in Australia can be limited. So while an award redemption may require a lower number of AA miles than QFF points, the cost to earn those miles may be higher and take longer than to earn the QFF points.

I have managed some good value from AAdvantage miles over many years, but its not always the best program for all redemption travel.

Last year I used QFF points for business class BNE-LAX-BNE (QFF classic rewards for two passengers) and then used AA miles for USA domestic flights (LAX-AUS-JFK//ALB-ORD-CLT-LEX-CLT-TPA-SAN-SFO-LAX (all in domestic F cabin). The AA rewards flights are mostly dynamic pricing these days, so can vary a lot in cost depending on current purchase pricing.

But the main way I earn AA miles these days is laundering Amex MR points through Marriott Bonvoy, which is not a good value as it used to be. This works for me as I have QFF Lifetime Gold status that I can use for status benefits when tarvelling any OneWorld services. My AA Lifetime Gold status is rarely used for any benefits.
 
Buying points from AA used to be pretty good when AUD was near parity. Harder to find good value that way now.
Most of my AA points were earned via Amex to SPG before it became Marriott but can still be viable
(For CC points Amex MR to Hawaiian to Alaskan may be worthwhile)
 
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It can in some circumstances and for some people, but the opportunity to earn AAdvantage miles as an Aussie living in Australia can be limited. So while an award redemption may require a lower number of AA miles than QFF points, the cost to earn those miles may be higher and take longer than to earn the QFF points.

I have managed some good value from AAdvantage miles over many years, but its not always the best program for all redemption travel.

Last year I used QFF points for business class BNE-LAX-BNE (QFF classic rewards for two passengers) and then used AA miles for USA domestic flights (LAX-AUS-JFK//ALB-ORD-CLT-LEX-CLT-TPA-SAN-SFO-LAX (all in domestic F cabin). The AA rewards flights are mostly dynamic pricing these days, so can vary a lot in cost depending on current purchase pricing.

But the main way I earn AA miles these days is laundering Amex MR points through Marriott Bonvoy, which is not a good value as it used to be. This works for me as I have QFF Lifetime Gold status that I can use for status benefits when tarvelling any OneWorld services. My AA Lifetime Gold status is rarely used for any benefits.
Many thanks for sharing.
 
It doesn't hurt. After all, American does not charge you a cent to sign up for their AAdvantage program and it gives you yet another option for booking award flights. Whether you will be able to accumulate points and redeem them for flights of good value is up for debate.

To the second part of the question (and I think this was implied) does it make sense to earn frequent flyer status with American (i.e. AAdvantage Executive Platinum)? Probably not. Although it is true you can earn status on American without setting foot on planes, it takes considerable planning as you have to earn loyalty points through their partners (some of which may not be easy to access in Australia like US credit cards). There is also another disadvantage: elites in AAdvantage's program do not have access to OneWorld lounges when travelling domestically in the US. Contrast that with Qantas Golds who can access American's Flagship lounge on departure, arrival or connection of an American or Alaskan domestic flight.

-RooFlyer88
 
The best time to join was in 2002 when all points earnt status. I got to life time gold basically on Diners club points-at the time they were worth more than Amex when transferring points. We are back to all base points earn status but the little Aussie battler is not nearly as strong as it once was.
However for me it is the best OW program for the awards I want. I benefit by still having a good stash of points which again are being refreshed by crediting any OW flights to them. I also credit some car rental points to them.

If you are not wanting hotel status then you can choose to use AA points at Marriott, IHG and Hyatt. Also like most airlines they have a hotel booking platform so you can get more hotels that way.
When we travelled to the USA regularly I earnt quite a few points with their shopping and dining programs.

It is good to aim for even gold status as that will increase what you earn through their other programs.

But as the program is free to join why not sign up and see how it goes. Hopefully some one might blow up the USD then it would be a much better program for Aussies and I would again strongly consider buying points again when they have bonus offers.

Just warning you of the major award risk with Aadvantage - they only release awards 330 days out but I have nearly always found what we wanted. As well some airlines are no longer releasing most of their awards a long way out.
 

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