Velocity Gold vs *A Gold Status - what do you think is more valuable?

[smit0847]

I have an upcoming trip trip to CDG on SQ and a few Euro hops with some other *A members (SAS and Aegean). Looking at my booking I realised that my SQ fare is full-fare economy (W class), meaning a good earn on whichever FF program I credit the flights to.

With the family pooling of my partner who is flying with me I can achieve Velocity Gold off these flights (I'm just landing from Silver to Red now) and 20,000 or so VA FF points. Looking at the Aegean FF program I can also achieve *A Gold status with these flights (and the other *A flights I will be taking) if I credit everything to Aegean.

So, I'm wondering which Gold status I should get.

My travel plans for the next 12 months:

- Probably 6-10 return domestic flights in Australia - probably on VA unless JQ or QF are significantly cheaper.
- Overseas trip next year (prob Europe) - likely to either be using Velocity points to travel J or USDM/Avianca LM J so no earn or real benefits of having a Gold Status.
- I'm not a big lounge fan - it's fine for killing time but I would rather have breakfast or lunch at home than get to the airport early to have it in a lounge.

I think for points earn and domestic benefits the Velocity Gold will be more valuable but I think the *A Gold will be easier to match to other airlines so I can keep the Gold going as long as possible given I'm unlikely to maintain it through flying. I have no issue contacting obscure alliance airlines to try for a status match!

Any thoughts?

 

[drewbles]

*A Gold won't do you any good domestically, so based on the 6-10 dom flights, i'd be sticking with DJ (Unless you want to go for OW levels and fly QF). The VA lounges in major ports are quite respectable.

Internationally, lounges are no match for QF to VA. QF wins hands down. Of course, this would mean to use *A status, you'd need to fly SQ, NZ or UA (only really SQ to Europe though).

I know you say lounges aren't that important to you, but they do form the equation, especially when comparing elite levels. Keep in mind you have no way to earn any *A points flying domestically in Australia, and your *A carriers are limited internationally (until you get overseas then it's much easier; the demise of AN put a huge hole in their network).

 

[serfty]

NZ *G is relatively relatively easy to earn with a YUPPs or three in the USA - get the best of both worlds (none of those pesky minimum NZ flight that *E requires)