New member - which program should i join?

[jackq]

Hi All

I'm a new ember here interested in getting value for my dollar.

I have some upcoming trips and looking for the best program to join.

Going multi Perth Adelaide melb syd bris perth in about 4 weeks.

the doing the same multi again about 4 week later.

Also looking at going Brisbane to LA on 9 nov. I have been looking at Alaska airlines buy points and to code share and get perm economy or business one way and buying a separate return home. Would be nice to stop in HK on the way home.

Got other domestic trips in Aus coming up.

I have QFF CC getting points at the moment but seeing if there is a better program to join to get status levels faster. I noticed that from time to time qantas and emirates have a window that let you apply to transfer to there gold program from your editing program.

As you can tell a bit of flying coming up so would be great to here what programs ppl think that I should join. In 30 days I will be able to post requests for flight bookings and $29 days - Cant wait.

Look forward to chatting to members in the coming months

Cheers
Jack

 

[Hvr]

Hi All

I'm a new ember here interested in getting value for my dollar.

I have some upcoming trips and looking for the best program to join.

Going multi Perth Adelaide melb syd bris perth in about 4 weeks.

the doing the same multi again about 4 week later.

Also looking at going Brisbane to LA on 9 nov. I have been looking at Alaska airlines buy points and to code share and get perm economy or business one way and buying a separate return home. Would be nice to stop in HK on the way home.

Got other domestic trips in Aus coming up.

I have QFF CC getting points at the moment but seeing if there is a better program to join to get status levels faster. I noticed that from time to time qantas and emirates have a window that let you apply to transfer to there gold program from your editing program.

As you can tell a bit of flying coming up so would be great to here what programs ppl think that I should join. In 30 days I will be able to post requests for flight bookings and $29 days - Cant wait.

Look forward to chatting to members in the coming months

Cheers
Jack

Welcome aboard jackq, we're always happy to fan the flames of a newish frequent flyer. So what airline do you fly the majority of the time? In most circumstances that's the one to join.

Look forward to hearing more about your travels.

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF jackq!

 

[jackq]

Hi Hvr

Don't really have any preferred carrier, trying to figure out if something like the marcopolo club is the way to go or the qantas acquire. I run a small business hence the laps of aus. As i will be in the air a bit this year trying to maximise this year to get some status point and then i can maintain them hopefully. Will also be doing about 4 internal flights in the US but that trip is pure pleasure so thought try to figure out the right program before i go and start booking flights.

 

[Steady]

Welcome aboard jackq, being based in Oz with a bit of domestic travel involved I think you should join QF or VA. I don't know much about VA due to my home base not being serviced by them, but they seem to me to be easier to get status with, and have a few good points like family pooling etc. (may just be the grass is greener?)

 

[jackq]

Thanks for the quick responses. Was wondering if many ppl were on this forum it appears yes!

If i join QFF and then buy miles through AA of Alaska will i get status points if booking though an partner airline. Rookie q i know

 

[andye]

Thanks for the quick responses. Was wondering if many ppl were on this forum it appears yes!

If i join QFF and then buy miles through AA of Alaska will i get status points if booking though an partner airline. Rookie q i know

No SC/points on standard reward bookings anymore. The Any Seat Awards are usually very poor value (everything you read about MASAs is just history).
You can get the status benefits such as lounge access of course

 

[jackq]

thanks for the input all. I'm thing about buying 100,000 miles for AA to get the bonus 60,000.

This way i can fly to the US on the cheap. However would I be better bitting the bullet in the long run and just flying with qantas a lot more expensive i know but i will get status points. My aim is to achieve gold in the next 12 months. probably 15 domestic flights and 5 international flights. Is this realistic. Should I be looking at other programs besides QFF that have an easier path to gold and then waiting for a offer such as the one QFF ran allowing NZ residents to transfer there gold membership to QFF.

One a side note is it hard to maintain gold considering you get double status points once you have achieved that mark?

Thanks in advance again

 

[TomVexille]

Welcome aboard!

QFF status matches are incredibly rare, and double status credit offers are becoming increasingly rare as well. As for getting to Gold in only 20 flights, unless you're paying for flexis and above, that's not very likely.

 

[andye]

thanks for the input all. I'm thing about buying 100,000 miles for AA to get the bonus 60,000.

This way i can fly to the US on the cheap. However would I be better bitting the bullet in the long run and just flying with qantas a lot more expensive i know but i will get status points. My aim is to achieve gold in the next 12 months. probably 15 domestic flights and 5 international flights. Is this realistic. Should I be looking at other programs besides QFF that have an easier path to gold and then waiting for a offer such as the one QFF ran allowing NZ residents to transfer there gold membership to QFF.

One a side note is it hard to maintain gold considering you get double status points once you have achieved that mark?

Thanks in advance again

AA points good value if you can get availability. Au-US is difficult. VA said to be better availability and cost Transpacific

QF is one of the easiest programmes to reach Gold. VA easier but a VA to QF status match would be a major surprise

You do get bonus points on QF flights when you are Gold but no bonus SCs. The retain threshold is lower than attain however (600 v 700)

Going to the U.S. opens avenues. Although status is harder with AA the earn/redeem rates are very good. It is also possible to garner lots of SCs at moderate cost in the QF (or BA) programme with discounted First class AA flights.

If you are not a sole trader the Aquire scheme might push you toward QFF

 

[Alanslegal]

Welcome!

Buying airline points and then redeeming seats can be a very good way to fly in premium cabins however there is always a catch. One, you do not earn points or status credits on these tickets so that does not help anyway to get your Gold (or any) status. Two, you need to be very flexible and you never plan your holiday around fixed dates. You plan your holiday after you get your seats. If you need to be in LA on 09/11, be very flexibile. You might have to go a few days/week earlier etc. If you plan to book two seats or more, and heading towards USA, well the availability can be very limited.

Will you get to Gold by fling approximately 15 domestic flights and 5 international flights, it depends on which cabins you will be flying as I don't it would work solely flying economy, esp discount economy (someone can correct me if my estimate is incorrect).

Good luck and continue reading, you will learn heaps here.

Also looking at going Brisbane to LA on 9 nov. I have been looking at Alaska airlines buy points and to code share and get perm economy or business one way and buying a separate return home. Would be nice to stop in HK on the way home.

thanks for the input all. I'm thing about buying 100,000 miles for AA to get the bonus 60,000.

This way i can fly to the US on the cheap. However would I be better bitting the bullet in the long run and just flying with qantas a lot more expensive i know but i will get status points. My aim is to achieve gold in the next 12 months. probably 15 domestic flights and 5 international flights. Is this realistic. Should I be looking at other programs besides QFF that have an easier path to gold and then waiting for a offer such as the one QFF ran allowing NZ residents to transfer there gold membership to QFF.

 

[smit0847]

Its unlikely there will be any business seats available for november