Which program to choose VA or QF?...

[flycop]

I recently status matched to VA gold from QF. I have 5610 status credits so nearly lifetime Silver.

I thought I had decided to give VA my business however after doing some research I’m not so sure.

Most of my flying is domestically and to the USA.

I don’t really have any issues with VA domestically. Internationally though is another story.

I usually take advantage of the FJ business deal from SYD/NAN to LAX to boost my points and status credits on the QF code share. I then do all of my travelling in the US with AA. I can book ‘priority’ seating, use their lounges, priority check in, boarding and not have to pay for bags thanks to Oneworld.

I note with the DL agreement with VA is only for status credits, points and lounge access. I will have to pay for bags (even if I fly from SYD – only 1 bag allowed in Y then $60 for another!), cant book priority seats (not even a discount for Economy Comfort) and no priority check in or boarding.

The other agreements with their partners are similar excluding EY, V Atlantic and NZ. Hopefully SQ will be an exception as well.

I discovered that I could book NZ premium from SYD to LAX for around the same price as the FJ business deal. The earn is 300 status credits so not much less than QF, however not as many points. So the fact I only need 400 status credits to maintain gold is not as difficult as 600 with QF. On a side note, has anyone experienced FJ business and NZ premium (new) and got a preference???

As far as credit cards go I was planning to obtain the Velocity Amex and Virgin Money platinum Visa. Also pick up a Qantas Amex $0 annual fee card just in case I need to fly QF.

Anyone else experiencing this dilemma?

Thanks for reading and any suggestions appreciated.

 

[markis10]

I am an elite tier (earned) member with both programs, put simply I have the luxury of BAoD (best airline on the day) for each flight, weighing up benefits and costs. The game is changing so much in terms of benefits, factor in daily fare changes and it becomes way to hard to come up with an answer to your question that applies every day no matter where you are flying!

 

[Blackadder]

For the convience of the lounge access, and free baggage I would lean towards OW/AA.
I guess esp if doing mutiple flights in the US the free baggage allowance can end up saving a few hundred dollars, plus the tangible benefit from lounge access.

 

[JohnK]

For me one of the key decisions would favour concentrating on someone with a global alliance rather than a whole lot of partners everywhere.

Don't get me wrong partnerships are nice but if they are not going to provide priority check-in, baggage allowances etc then they are not that useful to me.

 

[serfty]

For me one of the key decisions would favour concentrating on someone with a global alliance rather than a whole lot of partners everywhere.

Don't get me wrong partnerships are nice but if they are not going to provide priority check-in, baggage allowances etc then they are not that useful to me.

That's where an AirNZ / Qantas combo is working for this antipodean!

 

[markis10]

For me one of the key decisions would favour concentrating on someone with a global alliance rather than a whole lot of partners everywhere.

Don't get me wrong partnerships are nice but if they are not going to provide priority check-in, baggage allowances etc then they are not that useful to me.

Baggage allowances are not a feature of alliances either, does not leave much when it comes to a point of differentiation, apart from the air passes.

 

[dfcatch]

Baggage allowances are not a feature of alliances either, does not leave much when it comes to a point of differentiation, apart from the air passes.

I thought *A did provide alliance wide baggage benefits?

In any event I have thoroughly enjoyed my increased allowances and priority baggage on AC thanks to my NZ *G

 

[drron]

If I did a lot of domestic flying I may consider VA.However as the bulk of our flying is international in J OW wins hands down.Also for me personally Aadvantage is easily the best for Aawards.
We have had no problems with baggage allowances on OW and have used 8 different carriers in the last 2 years.

 

[markis10]

I thought *A did provide alliance wide baggage benefits?

In any event I have thoroughly enjoyed my increased allowances and priority baggage on AC thanks to my NZ *G

Star Gold does offer an extra 20kg, pity One World does not offer anything, I remember being 8kg over the CX allowance and having to repack as a result, and that 8kg was across 4 pax twoofwhom had status!

 

[dfcatch]

Yes I think it would be great if OW could offer a consistent allowance and priority service.

Although AA is my main OW partner when not flying QF and they provide both so I don't complain