Moving base from Los Angeles to Sydney

[mckinj02]

I will be moving to Sydney Feb 2012 and am confused as to which frequent flyer program to stay with or change to. Have been Ex Plat for last 4 years and have already requalified for 2013. Should I change over to Qantas FF or should I stay with AA. Does Qantas offer the same perks at thier elite levels as does AA...ie EVIP's etc? Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[docjames]

There's a few members who use AA for better burn rates, but be careful that some fares on QF only earn minimal / no mileage to the AA program.

Others with more experience will comment more (paging drron, Lindsay Wilson etc).....

 

[markis10]

I would suggest crediting the QF non earners to QF and just stay with AA, your shopping can also earn QF miles locally through woolworths so having both makes sense.

 

[dk4]

Does Qantas offer the same perks at their elite levels as does AA...ie EVIP's etc?

In Australia, only Virgin Australia offers an equivalent to EVIPs (or SWUs), but they are more limited than what you would be use to with AA. Top status at Virgin Australia gets 4 complimentary upgrades per year, but these can only be used on single sector domestic flights, and only for "flexi" fare tickets.

Qantas does not have an offer similar to EVIPs. (The Qantas free "upgrade credit" program is long dead and buried.)

Qantas has extensive domestic market share and IMO lost the impetus to “do more” for customers years ago, in recent times they have been slowly and systematically cutting back on “elite privileges”* to cut costs and leverage their market dominance. (*the most recent perk to go, seems to be access to BA business class lounges for Qantas Club members, the Qantas equivalent of Admirals Club).

Virgin, on the other hand, has been systematically looking to "do more" for customers in recent times, in a bid to increase their market share. Virgin Australia recently had a status match, officially it is over, but if you want to contact them directly and explain your situation, they may be willing to do something for you, depending on your anticipated level of flying? (note: Virgin's domestic lounge network is smaller than that of Qantas. But EXP will get you into Qantas lounges when flying on Qantas anyway.)

 

[simongr]

A few questions:

- Is it a permanent move?
- Do you have lifetime status with AA?
- What is your travel pattern likely to be in Oz?
- Will you have control over your carrier in Oz?

 

[mckinj02]

A few questions:

- Is it a permanent move?
- Do you have lifetime status with AA?
- What is your travel pattern likely to be in Oz?
- Will you have control over your carrier in Oz?

This will be a permanent move....I am so excited to be coming home after 20yrs in the US! Have lifetime Gold status with AA. Will likely be domestic trip x 1 per week, south pacific x 1 month, europe/us x 2/3 per year. Usually like to fly Qantas when I am in Oz but am willing to swithch if there are better bebefits with Virgin!

 

[drron]

Personally I would stick with Aadvantage but get a Woolworths Everyday rewards card and hence free membership of QFF.Not all QF economy fares earn AA miles so good to have that backup.Also easier to get QF miles via credit card here in Oz.Amex (indirectly) and Diners can be converted to AA miles.Diners is still better doing it via SPG.
There is nothing like EVIPs with QFF.Even points upgrades are pathetic compared to AA.You literally find out last minute if it has gone through.Then burn rates are much better usually with Aadvantage.I also find it much easier to get premium cabin awards through Aadvantage than QFF-even though my wife is OWE with QFF.
Of course you cant upgrade on QF with AA miles.But yiou can of course on BA and IB which you cant using QF miles.
My pattern of travel though makes it harder to get to EXP with AA than Plat on QF(1 circle Asia in J + 1 DONE4).That is why mrsdrron is with QFF so we can access F lounges.
Now most will find it easier to get awards on QF if in the QFF scheme.However I am an exception to the rule-I have got J awards on QF using Aadvantage when mrsdrron couldn't get them through QFF.
Now to Virgin.It is creating a lot of excitement here because of recent changes.Quite frankly I dont really think it is worth giving away oneworld if you are doing OS travel.Many are raving about earning and redeeming on Etihad for example-however the same applies for Aadvantage-and requires much less aa miles for the redemptions.However my plan is to earn Virgin Velocity points with my secondary credit cards and redeem them for J awards on a cash + points basis for domestic travel.
Hope this helps.

 

[sydflyer]

i would stick with QFF and Oneworld. the VA offering is not solid enough yet.