Status on star alliance

[flyer4703]

I have status and have two J class RTW trips to take in the next couple of months, I was thinking of using star alliance to get some status with them. What program in that alliance would be best to join to gain status quickly?

 

[Mal]

If you think you can use it, why don't you try and get a once only Status Match to your Qantas FF?

Choose a program you like in the *A fold. Approach them and tell them that you're willing to shift business across to them if they comp you equivalent status.

They may say no, or may require some paperwork (photocopies of card, statements, flight plans etc), but it may be worth a shot.

Note that most comp's are once only, so if you think you may need it later maybe now is not the right time...

 

[NM]

Another option is to stick with OneWorld and undertake an AA Plat Challenge. That way you still get to enjoy the benefits of QF Platinum (F lounge access, F checkin etc) as well as earning more value in points with AA for future redemptions.

But I can also see the value in attaining status in a competing alliance, so that may still be you preference.

 

[BlacKnox]

I have QFF Platinum status and have two J class RTW trips to take in the next couple of months, I was thinking of using star alliance to get some status with them. What program in that alliance would be best to join to gain status quickly?
Usual trip is SYD,LAX, LHR, LIN, HKG,SYD

Looks like you are a shopper/ buyer . Without doubt IMHO if you have 2 RTW J tickets than NH is the best program to join (provided you have a good credit history). That will be enough to make NH platinum staus, and with it comes an invitation to join the SuperFlyers Club. As long as you keep this credit card, you'll have *A gold status for "eternity" - enough to enter lounges etc. Of course program rules can change, but things move pretty slowly in Nippon :wink: .

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

One RTW is enough to get *G status. If go the comp route then some FFPs are more likely to do it than others. SQ for example - forget about it wont happen. UA will be glad to comp you to Prem Exec status (*G but not their highest status).

There are definite advantages in having status on more than one alliance (assuming you travel enough to get decent level of status - one high tier is still better than two mid tiers). Gives so much more flexibility.

Miles and More may be a good choice for you. Only need to qualify every second year - so you can still concentrate mainly on OW. Earns 200% miles in business and 300% in first, plus status bonus on certain airlines. Very generous fixed mileage within europe.

 

[BlacKnox]

Miles and More may be a good choice for you. Only need to qualify every second year - so you can still concentrate mainly on OW.

No need to requalify if you bank both trips to NH, and get the SuperFlyers Card. Of course, I'd check eligibility first.

 

[waltervp]

I thought, for a healthy change to use United for my OZ/USA trip this year and applied for the status match. I did get Premier status, but was still asked to check-in using the regular cattle-class queue and had no lounge access. The service desk at the airport blamed everything on everyone else, service was as rude as per usual. Me and my partner seats were apart, not their fault either they explained (they fixed that)... We ended up with good seats, but boy did I miss lounge privileges from Q-Gold. The United VISA card is totally useless, everything there went wrong.... Guess I will stick to the good old trusted (and very tired) Qantas next time... I booked a USA-Europe round ticket using BA where I can use my Q-Gold status again! Wife is flying home from the USA on a totally new o/w ticket as the original ticket could not be upgraded to business class using points, and I did not want to let her go home in cattle class with United (she just had an operation and suffered on the way up). United was told about her injuries well before the flight and also on checking in. I found there service just as average as all the other airlines and the status matching was a waste of time. Just my two bits worth of coughin! The beer was good on the flight...

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

UA Premier is *Silver status, ie similar to OW Ruby. Doesn't get much in terms of benefits - but the best one is free (subject to availability) use of Economy Plus (ie much more legroom).

 

[waltervp]

Yes, we got the Economy Plus seats! This is why my partner had a different seat as she was a reg. flier, but they got us both in Ec.Plus. On the way home she is flying alone and so will be reg. economy and I could not do it to her (bone graft from hip to fix shoulder was done in July)... HEr father came to the rescue with the new ticket! I wonder if she can get two boarding passes and at least get her mileage points for the wasted ticket!

 

[Anna]

Another option is to stick with OneWorld and undertake an AA Plat Challenge. That way you still get to enjoy the benefits of QF Platinum (F lounge access, F checkin etc) as well as earning more value in points with AA for future redemptions.

I'm confused. I thought AA Plat Challenge gave you OW sapphire status, which = J lounge access, J check-in. Isn't F lounge and F checkin only given with OW emerald status?

 

[NM]

I'm confused. I thought AA Plat Challenge gave you OW sapphire status, which = J lounge access, J check-in. Isn't F lounge and F checkin only given with OW emerald status?

Anna, my post was in reference to the original thread post, and I assumed the words "I have status" to indicate that flyer4703 currently holds QF Platinum status. Indeed if undertaking multiple ATW business class trips in a year, QF Plat is very simple to achieve. One well routed DONE4 will achieve or maintain QF Platinum status.

Based on that assumption, flyer4703 would have access to the First Class lounges during the ATW trips. And two ATW in business class should be ample to obtain AA Exec Platinum status and again have access to First Class lounges by way of OneWorld Emerald.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Yes, we got the Economy Plus seats! This is why my partner had a different seat as she was a reg. flier, but they got us both in Ec.Plus. On the way home she is flying alone and so will be reg. economy and I could not do it to her (bone graft from hip to fix shoulder was done in July)... HEr father came to the rescue with the new ticket! I wonder if she can get two boarding passes and at least get her mileage points for the wasted ticket!

You wont get credit for the "wasted ticket". That will be treated as a no show. Instead of buying a new ticket her father should probably have paid the fare difference (plus any change fees) to upgrade the ticket into a higher class (either business, or a class which you could upgrade with points to business).

 

[waltervp]

paid the fare difference (plus any change fees) to upgrade the ticket into a higher class (either business, or a class which you could upgrade with points to business).

Probably right... But they did tell me on the phone (rarely ever the correct answer) that the ticket was completely non-changeable... which I have been told about every ticket I have ever bought in my life it seems. I can no longer be bothered to fight for my rights. Sometimes I call a second time to speak to another operator... The first operator told me I could not get a business class upgrade on the ticket even with $$ and 'the only way for her to fly J was to buy a US$7K o/w business class fare'. These operators are so full of it.... Who can blame them on minimum wages and minimum training.

All call-centre staff, India or Australia alike, are cost cutting to stay competitive. A GPS manufacturer made me wait for 30 minutes for a service call and when I asked a basic question I was told she would transfer me and I was placed in the back of the queue with the message it might take 20 minutes.... The frustration is just not worth it! I am besides myself by the time I get to speak to a human! And email support for airlines/banks is awful too. You get an email back 4 days later to kindly call their 1800 number!

And if grand-daddy pays....

Walter-----

(PS I am getting a bicycle to get around Holland for the next 3 weeks!)