Both AA and QF FF members

[gumpy]

I have noticed that many people are members of both loyalty programs so I was wondering why?

What are the benefits of doing this? Are you able to get the best of both worlds and cover gaps in one programs benefits? Surely you can't earn points for both programs on the same flight?

Would appreciate any heads up on this as I'll be hitting up the US in a big way early 2011.

thanks

[JetLagged]

Good question, gumpy - have been wondering the same myself: hardly touch the USofA but times change sometimes. So eager to read the responses.

[Dave Noble]

The AA scheme has a *much* better redemption rate than the QF scheme and is where I collect points for OW travel these days. e.g. 1st class redemption one way Sydney-Europe is 80k vs 192-404k using QF points plus there are no fuel fines to pay. It costs more for a QF Economy award ( 64k ) than for a business class award using AA points (60k)

for a flight anywhere in AU/NZ to anywhere else in AU/NZ , the AA business redemption cost is 17.5k whilst QF will range from 16k for a SYD-MEL distance up to 50k for a longer trip

Mileage earning bonuses are far higher at the Sapphire level at 100% vs 50% and for international economy travellers (esp those to USA who can use the AA codeshares et al ) tend to be able to attain status much more easily than on Qantas

IMO, from being an excellent programme in 2000/2001 , QFF has now plumeted to being a joke in terms of redemption value.

Dave

[markis10]

Getting status on QF while getting miles on AA would seem to be a good way of making the most of the programs benefits, ig you have QP or LTG it makes a lot more sense, with QF credits coming from sources that dont credit AA, like Woolworths.

[djfuzz]

I started off crediting to AA before deciding to switch back to QF.

There's nothing beneficial per se about having status on two airlines, but there may be reasons to chop and change or switch when necessary. A quick snapshot:

AA = better earn / burn rates, Platinum challenge means getting to Sapphire can be quicker (much more difficult to get to Emerald), however earning points on domestic QF flights can be more difficult. Usually much better status and earning promotions. Easier to earn miles and retain status if flying regularly on AA, particularly throughout the US. All redeemable miles earned go towards lifetime status.

QF = not as good earn / burn rates, but definitely better suited if flying extensively domestically and earning points through direct earn cards and other programs. Quicker ways to get to Emerald if selecting specific status maximising routes. Promotions are heavily targeted so can be useless if you're not in the anointed few. New Any Seat Awards actually provide a number of benefits, including more flexible and sometimes competitive award availability, as well as some good status credit runs. Only status credits go towards lifetime status.

As for having both or switching - just depends what works for you at any particular time I guess. If you've got lifetime status with one airline, I can imagine that there are benefits to credit to another, for example. Or if your flying patterns change, or you want to get different things out of your loyalty program at different times.

[moa999]

IMO, from being an excellent programme in 2000/2001 , QFF has now plumeted to being a joke in terms of redemption value.

Whil agreeing with the sentiment, I like many others on this Board are holding on for the WP status and the slightly better home airline benefits, as well as chasing Lifetime Gold status.

I also think the recent introduction of JASAs earning points and the availability (albeit limited) of some cheap routes has helped improve the QFF program in my eyes.

[JetLagged]

IMO, from being an excellent programme in 2000/2001 , QFF has now plumeted to being a joke in terms of redemption value. Dave

Dave, do you book with the AA site, or what? For instance, when flying Sydney to LHR - AA site

a) wants to fly you via US (suppose naturally enough)
b) hence has flight times of about 30 hrs
c) is actually quite a bit more expensive than Qantas (14K as against 11K)

I could well be missing sometime here - so advice, pease.

[Dave Noble]

Dave, do you book with the AA site, or what? For instance, when flying Sydney to LHR - AA site

a) wants to fly you via US (suppose naturally enough)
b) hence has flight times of about 30 hrs
c) is actually quite a bit more expensive than Qantas (14K as against 11K)

I could well be missing sometime here - so advice, pease.

If booking awards on airlines other than AA, then need to be booked over the phone. AU-Europe is 60k/80k for J/F as long as connect in Asia at HKG/TYO/BKK or SIN . Can use any AA partner carrier

If just booking a paid ticket and wanting to use the AA site, make sure to change the option such that ALL airlines is selected; sometimes can be beneficial with J/F tickets to book on AA.com

[markis10]

Dave, do you book with the AA site, or what? For instance, when flying Sydney to LHR - AA site

a) wants to fly you via US (suppose naturally enough)
b) hence has flight times of about 30 hrs
c) is actually quite a bit more expensive than Qantas (14K as against 11K)

I could well be missing sometime here - so advice, pease.

Are you talking about redemptions, normal crediting can be done by booking a QF flight in the appropriate fare bucket for earning AA credit.

[Dave Noble]

Whil agreeing with the sentiment, I like many others on this Board are holding on for the WP status and the slightly better home airline benefits, as well as chasing Lifetime Gold status.

Personally, I don't see that Platinum status gives me any real benefit domestically since I cant pre-select exit row seats even as a platinum member if in economy