Where to share my loyalty... (won't make P1, but will keep wp - easily)

[BJReplay]

I'm WP and have been for a couple of years, and will be for a couple more, without too much effort. I will miss out on P1 by 235 QF SCs (unless I do a quick MEL-SYD-MEL and bring forward my next MEL-LAX to Oct 31st - ain't gonna happen).

The chances of me making P1 next year are lower than this year (I simply can't justify booking AA / US segments on QF tickets, so earn reasonable SCs, but not P1 qualifying SCs).

I'm assuming my chance of a status match with Virgin are close to zero, but I can pretty easily earn status (or match & retain - if that offer is on) with another airline / alliance.

I definitely want to keep WP with QF - I'm getting a 75% hit rate on J to F upgrades on MEL-LAX-MEL flights.

What do the gurus who fly a lot recommend?

My travel / SC earning will be roughly evenly spread between AUS domestic / AUS-USA / USA domestic. Most of the time I can choose roughly equivalent flights with OW and * Alliance partners in the US.

 

[defurax]

You could always credit some flights to AAdvantage instead of QFF, the taxes on award tickets are lower with AA. If you decide to give some business to *A I don't recommend getting status with AC or UA at the moment, Aeroplan and MileagePlus are undergoing big changes...mostly for the worst...

 

[Princess Fiona]

You could always credit some flights to AAdvantage instead of QFF, the taxes on award tickets are lower with AA. If you decide to give some business to *A I don't recommend getting status with AC or UA at the moment, Aeroplan and MileagePlus are undergoing big changes...mostly for the worst...

Missed this post OP but I agree that crediting the extra to AA would be useful due to the lower redemption rates.

Your other option is to join VA, maybe request a status match to EY (no offer currently but there has been this year). That would give you lounge access here and you could credit Delta flights to VA to build status.

 

[RooFlyer]

If you can, diversify into Star Alliance and get to Star Gold. Unfortunately if your main long haul is to LAX, then that would mean UA TPAC in order to get there (I think). The 787 in J might be OK?

Once you have status on *A you are free from the 'loyalty' thing and can actually choose the flights you want (outside Australia) without being worried about lounge access etc.

I agree with defurax about downgrades to many *A programs (I'm in Aeroplan, so help me!) but I don't think that should stop the strategy. Just about all programs are being squeezed.

 

[amaroo]

TK are still doing status match for QF Plat. I applied April this year ... Received the email confirmation early Aug ... the card late Aug. The status holds until end May 2016.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....rlines-status-match-39599-15.html#post1106554

 

[boomy]

If most of your overseas flights are to USA and you already get 75% hit rate J to F then would you even consider other airlines? You won't get any upgrades with VA (no F) and domestically QF are mostly better, especially after they introduced the new J suites which means finally a decent J cabin when flying to the east coast (QF weakest link in the premium domestic market war)
As mentioned already you can do status match to get *A Gold. Never hurts to have another plastic card in the wallet and it may be useful one day.
If you are not chasing P1 or LTG then probably stick with QF and maybe credit some of the points to AA for the benefits of their award programme.

 

[BJReplay]

Thanks for the suggestions. I wish I'd been thinking ahead and grabbed the opportunity for status matches earlier, but I might see how I go with TK and asking VA and EK. I must admit I do like the QF product, but it seems a waste to earn SCs that don't get me anything more than WP.