Keep to just QF FF or go for BA EC as well as QF FF?

[Commuter]

Due to my planned travel patterns this year, I should be able to achieve a BA Gold as well as retaining at least QF Gold (I'm currently a QF WP).

Is it worth worth joining BA EC in addition to the QF scheme, or would it be better to just keep everything in QF?

I don't think I'd get enough for Partner Gold, and besides there isn't much point in getting it due to spouse almost never travelling on OW carriers without me.

 

[NM]

If you have a "residential" address in continental Europe, the requirements for reaching and retaining BA status are a lot less than someone with a UK address. Then it possibly would be worth it.

Note that BA does not allow you to move to the next status level until you have completed the 4 BA flights required. And if if you reach say 3000 tier points before the 4th flight, you are moved to the next tier after the 4th flight and the Tier Credits reset to zero and you start again the climb for the next status level. So just something to be aware of if you won't be doing many BA flights.

 

[serfty]

IMHO, I would go QF first, then AA (Unless there's a fair bit of US/UK travel)

Some reasons:

• Never underestimate the usefulness of a PG's 50% bonus for long haul travel.
• Living in Oz, QF WP is generally more useful than oneworld Emerald.
• How fare are you from QFF LTG?

YMMV

 

[Commuter]

Thank you for your help so far, NM and Serfty.

Further info:

- I'm miles off from QF LTG (even miles off LTS ).
- I'm intending on using the QFF points to book most of the spouse's flights (hence no 50% extra points even if I make it to Partner Gold)
- Address in continental Europe
- I don't get to spend that much time in Australia any more
- QF WP until early 2009 - I may fly enough to retain it for 2010
- No AA flight planned so I'm likely to fail the '4 flight segment rules' with AA (otherwise would have been very interested in AA)
- Dozens of BA flights planned this year
- Most of my long haul flights (LHR to Australia/vv) will be on Qantas as I prefer QF seats

Do you think there is any merit in assigning flights to BA EC in the above circumstance?

One thing I find quite off-putting with BA EC is the tier bonus for Gold is just 50%, rather than QF's 100%.

Are there many extra benefits to BA EC Gold that QF WP won't give me?

 

[simongr]

Just re the 4 flights rule on AA - this is currently not enforced so that may impact your considerations.

 

[Dave Noble]

I would go with the AA option given that they do not enforce the 4 sector rule and they have a 100% bonus for PLT/EXP levels on most carriers

Dave

 

[simongr]

T

Are there many extra benefits to BA EC Gold that QF WP won't give me?

Seat 1AK on a 744

 

[justinbrett]

What would be the point in joining BA EC?

You don't even qualify for SC on discount flights. Yet if credited to QF, you do.

Wouldn't it be better to keep your eggs in one basket?

 

[NM]

What would be the point in joining BA EC?

You don't even qualify for SC on discount flights. Yet if credited to QF, you do.

Wouldn't it be better to keep your eggs in one basket?

If flying on non-discounted fares and with an address in continental Europe, BAEC can be a quick way to reach OneWorld Emerald. And BA tends to look after their Golds reasonably well. So for the right person with the right travel patterns, BAEC can be a good program.

 

[futaris]

So for the right person with the right travel patterns, BAEC can be a good program.

Couldn't the same thing be said about any of the OW programs, i.e. Royal Jordanian's 24 month Royal Plus, Malev's Duna Club or JAL's Mileage Bank???

 

[futaris]

Wouldn't it be better to keep your eggs in one basket?

Tell that to the people who lost all their points from Ansett.

 

[NM]

Couldn't the same thing be said about any of the OW programs, i.e. Royal Jordanian's 24 month Royal Plus, Malev's Duna Club or JAL's Mileage Bank???

Absolutely. That is why all the programs exist. If they were not attractive to a certain demographic of customers, then nobody would join.

 

[simongr]

Wouldn't it be better to keep your eggs in one basket?

I would echo the Ansett thing as well (only 180K points but that included honeymoon flights and my first trip for mrssimongr with me when I was travelling on business) but also add that if you can maintain status at significant levels in two programs it has its advantages.

I am not quite as obsessive as some about maximising the value of points - I am happy to put a few flights to QF and use points to upgrade to F when flying QF. By maintaining status at SG in QF I am given a better chance of the upgrade coming through - and depending on my travel profile in 2008 I might go for WP in QF and EXP on AA.

This gives me the best of both worlds - acces to upgrades, access to eVIPs, extra baggage etc. etc. WHilst maintaining the bulk of my points in AA.

 

[Commuter]

What would be the point in joining BA EC?

You don't even qualify for SC on discount flights. Yet if credited to QF, you do.

My somewhat weird planned flying patterns will be split between Club Europe on BA and discount economy long haul / Australian domestic flights on QF discount economy. So my plan is to credit all the European flights that earn BA tier points and the rest to QF.

The value of my QF membership is fairly likely to decline in a couple of years as I may not get to spend more than a month or so in total in Australia then.

 

[Commuter]

To those who recommended AA, are there any qualifying differences between regions like the BA programme?

 

[Dave Noble]

To those who recommended AA, are there any qualifying differences between regions like the BA programme?

Nope. AA has the same rules regardless of country of residence

Dave

 

[Commuter]

Thanks Dave, I shall definitely consider AA - the only thing that's concerning me is if they start enforcing the 4-sector rule. I will then be rather knackered.

 

[simongr]

So will a lot of people - but ifs and buts make for regrets and missed opportunities... depending on your age and lifetime status considerations - you might be able to have a trip of a lifetime (like I am planning in July) at the expense of a lounge access payment when you are older and private school fees are weighing you down...

 

[Commuter]

No issues with private school fees thankfully (confirmed kid-less - our life and children don't mix!), but you're quite right about ifs and buts.

I guess I could always try AA for a while and see how it goes.

 

[Dave Noble]

I guess I could always try AA for a while and see how it goes.

I would suggest it since I think you may well find it more generous than the BA scheme. if at some time in the future AA elects to enforce the rule and you are doing no AA sectors, you could always enjoy the points earned and join BAEC. no loss. not like BAEC has any lifetime status to aim for

Dave