Moving to New York

[christanil]

Quick Question all;
After many years of being growing up in Australia, it's time for me to up-root and leave the Nest. I'm considering moving over to New York for work at the end of this year.
However I do have QF Platinum status and have just renewed it's status again this year through flights.

It's not my primary objective to head back to Australia other than to see my parents maybe once a year but is it really worth staying with QF FF programme?
Or is it more beneficial switching to AA. On that note how beneficial is AA? And is the hurdle similar to reach their "OWE" equivalent as it is with Qantas or is Qantas easier?
As to me it seems AA "OWE" seems to treat their FF's slightly better than QF's "OWE" with the guaranteed upgrades etc; (What im asking here is it alot harder to achieve elite AA status than QF)
If i do maintain QF i'm assuming id be able to meet the 4 flight minimum requirement if i fly One return from the US to AUS; considering i could make an extra domestic leg to reach my home city in Australia.

I should probably also note however I plan to move to Europe decades down the track to return home... But then such distant plans always change...

Note: At this point in time im unsure if i will be flying for work but let's say its a 50:50.

TLDRWhat's the best FF programme for someone located in North America; Planning to move to Western Europe in the next few decades)

Thanks!

Chris

 

[opusman]

One big advantage of maintaining QF status is that it will get you into domestic AA lounges in the USA; AA status doesn't do that (you need to pay to join the Admiral's Club).

If you're going to come back to Aus once a year the 4 ~ requirement should be fairly easy to achieve.

 

[UP4014]

Yep, as above, but slso if you come back once per year using QF you will still get 4 sectors, combined with a few AA flights you should be able to retain some status.

If you are QF platinum you might also be on the way to life gold, so maybe worth considering keeping it until then.

 

[dajop]

The optimal strategy (if flying enough) is surely to meet the bare minimum for retaining gold in QFF (for lounge access domestically within the US, and very short haul awards) and strive for Exec Platinum on AA (for upgrades and medium-long haul awards).

 

[knasty]

I'd definitely be aiming for AA platinum challenge as a stepping stone to AA Exp. Swus on AA flights home are ideal. Get a citi AA card with lounge access inclused or pay for lounge benefits.

 

[Mattg]

These two threads might be of interest:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ogram/better-strategy-qantas-or-aa-75349.html

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-airlines-status-challenge-options-73194.html

 

[christanil]

Thanks Mattg!

 

[oh_lol]

What about if you maintained the QF status since you say you can do that easily, and jump on a different domestic program? I used Jetblue when I lived in NYC, and they are part of Star Alliance too, which is handy. Then you'd have pretty much Star Alliance and One World at your disposal.