The QF/AA shuffle again

[simongr]

Well here we are again - ANOTHER QF vs AA thread. Just soliciting some more opinion on this.

As those that have been tracking me for some time know I have all the airline loyalty of a haddock. I have only two things I am loyal to - the QF SYD F lounge, the Wing and free J fligths. I mean I have three things I am loyal to...

I jumped on the AA train when I knew I was going to be able to hit EXP and as soon as int'l flights dried up it was back to QF when they comped me to WP.

In a slightly strange turn of events my new job "with very little travel" has the following planned flights:

SYD-MEL-SYD (K) x 4
SYD-LHR-SYD (J)
DONE4 (only 10 flights planed)
SYD-AKL-WLG-SYD
SYD-BNE-SYD x 2

All before my anniversary date on 30 Sep. This is on top of my current 720 SCs.

So on a rough estimate I will earn about 1800 SCs if I credit to QF - which will take me up to 5365 lifetime SCs.

So the thought is that as mrssimongr doesnt fly except with me there is no major benefit of WP PG so I could start to credit back to AA (I will drop to Plat in March and have 50K miles currently).

The main issue with that is if I start flying on my AA number is the coughpy seat allocation domestically and teh complexity of flying as a OWE but with a OWS in the booking.

Any thoughts on this?

My main aim is to maintain status as redemption flights are not a major factor at the moment and for the next 2 years or so.

 

[NM]

From which program do you expect to source the redemption flights? You note J redemptions, and if meaning international flights then you are already aware of the difference in points requirements between QF and AA.

Given what is already planned, how close to EXP would you get before the QF anniversary if all credited to AA? Are you still AA Plat?

If unlikely to make AA EXP, I would probably stick with QF until Platinum renewal is attained and then send the rest to AA at least until QF anniversary date. Assured status is always desirable. But premium cabin awards may require you to consolidate all earning into one program to avoid orphaned points. No point have 120,000 AA miles and needing 140,000 for the planned award. Although with AA you can purchase the extra miles needed at better rates than QF points purchases.

 

[drron]

Well not quite the same situation but I find it impossible to put my AA number in when booking online and i am too lazy to ring.So when i get to QP I get them to put my AA number in-so that should work for you.I am sure in the J lounge they would do the same.

 

[Dave Noble]

SYD-LHR-SYD will easily get 31,500 qpoints

Add 6000 qpoints for SYD-MEL/SYD-BNE r/ts and at 37,500 qpoints


The trip across to NZ can get 2731 qpoints in K and about 4096 in J

Assuming economy and can be at 40,231

This leaves about 60k qpoints to attain which would need 40k flown miles in business class. Most of this would be attainable on the DONE4 so you should be in a good position to re-attain EXP status

If you fly , say, 35000 miles on the DONE4 , your earnings to AA could be around 79000 for the DONE plus 12000 for the short domestic flights and about 5400 from NZ so around 96,400 miles. This is about the same as with QF however ou only need 120k for a r/t to Europe using AA points vs using 256k with QF points

Plus of course, attain EXP again and once again you can stock up on Systemwide Upgrades

Once EXP again, then will have no probs with pre-allocated seating anyway plus First Lounge accesses; would seem to be worth crediting to AA to me

Dave

 

[simongr]

Plus of course, attain EXP again and once again you can stock up on Systemwide Upgrades

Once EXP again, then will have no probs with pre-allocated seating anyway plus First Lounge accesses; would seem to be worth crediting to AA to me

Dave

I have 8 SWUs about to expire so that is not a huge benefit for me (if you need any just ask).

One of my issues has been the coughpy seating for EXP domestically...

I am about to drop to Plat from EXP but I am not sure that makes much of a difference for planning purposes.

 

[NM]

I have 8 SWUs about to expire so that is not a huge benefit for me (if you need any just ask).

One of my issues has been the coughpy seating for EXP domestically...

I am about to drop to Plat from EXP but I am not sure that makes much of a difference for planning purposes.

I have not had any issues with:
1. Using my eVIPS (waitlisted the final 2 expiring 2010 yesterday), and I have not had an AA flight this year.
2. QF domestic seat assignments.

For the domestic seat assignments, I ensure I go into the QF booking using the Amadeus booking reference number and select my seating preference (Aisle usually). I have always received reasonable seating on domestic flights, at least nothing I can complain about.