Qantas ranked 24th in the world for Frequent Flyer Programs

[levelnine]

Probably because the article is ignores status perks in its ranking which can be hugely beneficial especially in non US programs for those who actually fly.

Higher status pax can:
* earn double the points for the same flight as non status pax,
* be treated better during irrops,
* get priority access to seat releases and premium care teams,
* request release of reward seats
* get free seat selection and preferred access to best seats
* enjoy lounge perks .

Ignoring status perks in scoring usefulness is flawed imo, since status does contribute to how easily you can earn and burn points.

None of this applies to the US.

It is a fundamentally different market.

To point out just a few fundamental differences:
- Most points collectors do not need status for lounge access because they get it through a credit card.
- If a points collector cares about status, they get it through credit card spend or status matches (there is always 2-4 status promos going on in the US at any one time). Status from flying is an antiquated idea in the US confined to the dying breed of road warriors.
- Earning points from flying is another wholly antiquated idea in the US.
- There is nothing remotely equivalent to the WP/P1 award request release feature in the US.
- Seat selection comes through airline fee reimbursement credits on credit cards, not from status.

 

[elanshin]

Probably because the article is ignores status perks in its ranking which can be hugely beneficial especially in non US programs for those who actually fly.

Higher status pax can:
* earn double the points for the same flight as non status pax,
* be treated better during irrops,
* get priority access to seat releases and premium care teams,
* request release of reward seats
* get free seat selection and preferred access to best seats
* enjoy lounge perks .

Ignoring status perks in scoring usefulness is flawed imo, since status does contribute to how easily you can earn and burn points.

Points and status are related but also don't necessarily matter.

Take SQ, you don't need to be PPS to find saver awards and if you're already going to be flying J then lounge access is there.

Many people aren't actually frequent flyers but would like to engage in using the points system and thus status is also not relevant. They just need to be able to earn and spend points.

Is there any other program that can request award releases like QFF WP/WP1?

Right now the meta for my US friends is to have points in places like MR or other CC that can cross transfer and then immediately transfer when they find awards.

They get status in different ways (usually status runs).

 

[justinbrett]

I could be wrong but I don’t think there’s any credit card that gets you into AA’s flagship lounge. For domestic only itineraries that requires non-US status or Concierge key membership (or on a flagship domestic route).

The free lounges offered by many US credit cards can be next to useless outside of the US, especially in places like Australia (domestic).