Hi all,
So, I’ve done a bunch of searching, but I’m still not sure I’m approaching this the right way.
Background is I’m currently Virgin Australia Platinum (just clicked over). I achieve this largely through international flights between Australia (where my work is based) and Madrid (where I live). I fly return economy 4 times a year, and my wife and daughter also travel once a year. With Virgin family pooling we achieve this pretty easily, even if I do a few flights on points.
The challenge has been more about achieving the 8 required domestic sectors in Australia - my time is quite stretched while I’m there - while I would do a couple of trips, on my recent visit I flew Brisbane via Sydney to check off the sectors.
Additionally, we are increasingly flying with Iberia out of Spain/around Europe, so anything that allowed me to get into OneWorld at a decent level would be awesome.
The benefit of Etihad is that their flight timing both directions between Melbourne and Madrid is excellent. The planes are tired, but I’m pretty used to it, even on a full flight like the one I’m on now. First Class lounge in Abu Dabi is excellent.
I have flown Qatar a couple of times and while planes are better, I find lounges nowhere near as good/sometimes won’t allow access - and the lack of additional baggage is annoying.
My priorities for status are priority queues (I hate queues!), extra baggage and lounge access in that order.
So - is there another airline/alliance I should consider that will offer a similar experience? I have no other allegiances! The plan is to remain based in Madrid for at least the next 5 years if this would help achieve lifetime status anywhere etc etc
Appreciate any and all thoughts!
So, I’ve done a bunch of searching, but I’m still not sure I’m approaching this the right way.
Background is I’m currently Virgin Australia Platinum (just clicked over). I achieve this largely through international flights between Australia (where my work is based) and Madrid (where I live). I fly return economy 4 times a year, and my wife and daughter also travel once a year. With Virgin family pooling we achieve this pretty easily, even if I do a few flights on points.
The challenge has been more about achieving the 8 required domestic sectors in Australia - my time is quite stretched while I’m there - while I would do a couple of trips, on my recent visit I flew Brisbane via Sydney to check off the sectors.
Additionally, we are increasingly flying with Iberia out of Spain/around Europe, so anything that allowed me to get into OneWorld at a decent level would be awesome.
The benefit of Etihad is that their flight timing both directions between Melbourne and Madrid is excellent. The planes are tired, but I’m pretty used to it, even on a full flight like the one I’m on now. First Class lounge in Abu Dabi is excellent.
I have flown Qatar a couple of times and while planes are better, I find lounges nowhere near as good/sometimes won’t allow access - and the lack of additional baggage is annoying.
My priorities for status are priority queues (I hate queues!), extra baggage and lounge access in that order.
So - is there another airline/alliance I should consider that will offer a similar experience? I have no other allegiances! The plan is to remain based in Madrid for at least the next 5 years if this would help achieve lifetime status anywhere etc etc
Appreciate any and all thoughts!