QFF vs Enrich vs Asia Miles

[ffnovice]

This is my first post and I'm seeking the help of forum members who will obviously be far more knowledgable on this topic than myself.
Currently I'm trying to decide which if the above programs is the best choice. I have unfortunately dabbled between the three and would like to make a firm decision of which would be the best to stick to.
I currently live in Australia, however am looking to make the move to China or Hong Kong soon, and returning to Australia every so often.
I have only the entry tiers on all programs, however the vast majority of my points are with Qantas.
I'm continually reading the difficulty of redeeming Qantas points for flights and wondered whether the other program's would possible serve better considering the move to China or HK.
I'm also curious, with QFF the life time guarantee is available when the threshold of SC is met, is this something that exists with the other programs or something that could possibly retain my loyalty at Qantas.
And domestically, if choosing to fly Qantas but using Enrich or Asia Miles does this yield minimal points with their programs?
any information would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you advanced.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Welcome to the forum

Best Frequent Flyer Program for you?
The answer to this question depends very much on your personal travel profile and objectives.
- what is your definition of best?
- do you value miles/points (or equivalent) for redemption over gaining status?
- do you fly enough to gain any meaningful status?
- what do you want to use the miles/points for (award, upgrade, hotels, what ever)?
- what sort of flight award is of interest (destination, class of travel)?
- are you interested in topping up by paying cash for miles?
- which airline and where do you normally fly?
- are you primarily a leisure or business traveller?
- where do you live?
- do you have other ways of earning points in the various programs, e.g. credit cards, shopping, etc,?
- etc, etc, etc

As far as awards flights go, if you are looking to get an a on a QF flight, it is about the same availability with QF points/Enrich points or Asiamiles. Its the operator who determines availability and not the ffp

A summary of OW ffp's here: Airlines and Hotels

Be careful about expiry. CX Asia miles have a hard expiry

As for earning you need to look at the fare booking class. CX is low earning on cheap economy fares on many ffp (Asiamiles and others). QF is reducing earning on non QF flights. I expect other ffp to reciprocate with earning to there ffp. That is AA, CX, BA ffp earning will reduce on QF flights.

Not many ffp's have lifetime benefits. And anyway yours or the airlines life? FFP can and do get changed ("enhanced" is jargon here)

Alaska is good fffp due to its many partners, including QF, CX, BA & EK Partners Overview | Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

 

[ffnovice]

Welcome to the forum

Best Frequent Flyer Program for you?
The answer to this question depends very much on your personal travel profile and objectives.
- what is your definition of best?
- do you value miles/points (or equivalent) for redemption over gaining status?
- do you fly enough to gain any meaningful status?
- what do you want to use the miles/points for (award, upgrade, hotels, what ever)?
- what sort of flight award is of interest (destination, class of travel)?
- are you interested in topping up by paying cash for miles?
- which airline and where do you normally fly?
- are you primarily a leisure or business traveller?
- where do you live?
- do you have other ways of earning points in the various programs, e.g. credit cards, shopping, etc,?
- etc, etc, etc

As far as awards flights go, if you are looking to get an a on a QF flight, it is about the same availability with QF points/Enrich points or Asiamiles. Its the operator who determines availability and not the ffp

A summary of OW ffp's here:

Be careful about expiry. CX Asia miles have a hard expiry

As for earning you need to look at the fare booking class. CX is low earning on cheap economy fares on many ffp (Asiamiles and others). QF is reducing earning on non QF flights. I expect other ffp to reciprocate with earning to there ffp. That is AA, CX, BA ffp earning will reduce on QF flights.

Not many ffp's have lifetime benefits. And anyway yours or the airlines life? FFP can and do get changed ("enhanced" is jargon here)

Alaska is good fffp due to its many partners, including QF, CX, BA & EK

Thank you for the prompt reply!
- Best would be the ability to upgrade tickets and flight redemption
- earning points for redemption would be ideal, and I guess status comes as a bonus if were to eventuate
- I don't fly enough to reach QP, therefore would it be useless trying to attain a lower status?
- Class of travel is the flight award of interest
- I would prefer not to have to top up points
- Generally speaking I take Qantas/Jetstar domestically and CX or MA Asia bound as I'm currently living in Adelaide and these airlines facilitate direct routes vs having to make a trip to MEL or SYD for connections
- I'm primarily a leisure traveller
- at the moment I earn QFF points with a credit card & shopping

I like the fact that I don't have to worry about expiry due to the ongoing activity due to the credit card.

In regards to fare booking classes and yields. How at the time of booking can you determine the booking class?

Thank you for the information!

 

[Mwenenzi]

So you are more of a frequent spender than a frequent flyer. Will be a different credit card game in Asia/HKG/China. If living in Asia & visiting Aussie you only need to use your QF linked credit card once every 18 months. Or you or a friend/family spend $31 at Woolworths with your everydaycard

For upgrades the general rule is you can only upgrade a flight marketed (flight number) and operated (metal) by the airline of your freq flyer programme (no codeshares) with your airlines upgrade instrument (e.g. points, SWU). All subject to the t&c's of your FFP and your paid ticket. Low cost tickets are often not eligible for upgrades.
However as is the way with FFP's there are some upgrade exceptions
- on AA/BA/IB with higher priced economy fares using AA/BA/IB upgrade instruments
- on some BA tickets with Asia Miles

With JQ flights only earns with QF, if eligible. No earning to CX or MH

Can be/is very hard to know the booking class before buying. If the booking class is not listed you get nil points/miles
Frequent Flyer - Earning Points - Fly - Airline Partners

 

[Mwenenzi]

Another thread on the same topic Info re Marco Polo club please

[url]http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/qantas-frequent-flyer-program/qff-wp-vs-mpc-dm-55090.html
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