Better Strategy - Qantas or AA?

[The Mountain]

Hi Guys,

I moved to the US around 10 months ago and recently started a new role which will see my flying almost weekly (typically 3 hour flight). Being based out of New York it seems that most my flights are American Airlines.

Is the better strategy to build up my AA status (I'm next to zero status), or to use my QFF number when flying American? My second question is do you earn SC's when you use your QFF on an AA flight? Third question - I envision flying home to Melbourne 1-2 times per year, so I would like to be able to upgrade to J on those legs (how difficult is it to upgrade on AA vs. Qantas?).

Thank you all, this forum is excellent.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

As mentioned on here, depending on fare class, (but as AA is in OW, etc), you will earn QF FF and QF SC on AA flights.
Some domestic AA US flights also to what I notice, code share, but must be booked with an international QF into US flight, if it carries a QF flight number, you will earn full QF SC.
If you fly on an AA flight numbered flight, you will still earn, but earn less QF FF points, but the same
QF SC as if flying QF metal. Edit: just had a look, no difference flying QF or AA as to QF SC earn.
FF points, there is a difference if its an AA numbered flight.
But the goss on here is that, its cheap to fly domestic F in the US.
MEL - SYD earning 40 QF SC go for $700 to $750, when there is no sale.
If your QF status tier is above PS, ie, you are on SG, I would keep that. Ultimately, its your choice.
How long you plan to be in the US could also be a factor.
You can check roughly how much QF SC you earn with the QF SC earn calculator.
FINAL edit: as you are WP with QF, I would definitely stick with QF, esp when coming back to Au on holidays.

 

[hutch]

Whilst I note the desire to upgrade, what are your plans/goals? Status for lounge access etc or points earn.

 

[The Mountain]

As mentioned on here, depending on fare class, (but as AA is in OW, etc), you will earn QF FF and QF SC on AA flights.
Some domestic AA US flights also to what I notice, code share, but must be booked with an international QF into US flight, if it carries a QF flight number, you will earn full QF SC.
If you fly on an AA flight numbered flight, you will still earn, but earn less QF FF points, but the same
QF SC as if flying QF metal. Edit: just had a look, no difference flying QF or AA as to QF SC earn.
FF points, there is a difference if its an AA numbered flight.
But the goss on here is that, its cheap to fly domestic F in the US.
MEL - SYD earning 40 QF SC go for $700 to $750, when there is no sale.
If your QF status tier is above PS, ie, you are on SG, I would keep that. Ultimately, its your choice.
How long you plan to be in the US could also be a factor.
You can check roughly how much QF SC you earn with the QF SC earn calculator.
FINAL edit: as you are WP with QF, I would definitely stick with QF, esp when coming back to Au on holidays.

Excellent information, thank you! I plan to be in the US for 5 or so years (this could extend longer depending on situation).

Whilst I note the desire to upgrade, what are your plans/goals? Status for lounge access etc or points earn.

To be honest, I haven't put a lot of thought into it and probably not taking advantage of the benefits properly. The benefits of WP I love are:

- Seat selection (being able to be up front/emergency exit)
- Upgrades internationally with points (in the past I have used my QFF points to upgrade from Y to J on all my international legs)
- Lounge access for Friday flights home (I'm not really fussed with the Monday AM flights as I'm typically always in a rush)
- Customer service (Qantas to me always delivers excellent CS)

 

[Isochronous]

If I lived in the US, I would YUPP my way to LTG.

 

[cove]

We live part time in the US so to run up AA miles we each went and picked up a top end Citi credit card that had a sign on of 100,000 miles and pays a mile a dollar. Because there is no exchange rate fee on this card we can use it in both the US and Australia. In Australia you would get around 0.77 AA miles per Australian dollar due to the current exchange rate but in many circumstances the miles can be worth about twice a Qantas point. Despite that we run up both Qantas points and AA miles.
Then in recent times AA has commenced flying to Australia and if you go early you should be able to get frequent flyer seats in business class. AA run out 330 days and QF run out 353 days as far as booking ahead.
The AA 777 flight has a comfortable business class seat on the long haul to Australia and the plane is very young so it is getting good reviews. There is a thread on this.

 

[serfty]

Go AAdvantage ... its a no brainer ...

With the travel indicated you could easily get status with an AA "Platinum Challenge", retain it and then get to Executive Platinum (Emerald).

Once that status kicks in, earn and burn is generally far better with AAdvantage than QFF, even with the same flights and even with the current "enhancements" AAdvantage is undergoing.

Then there's the upgrades ... far better for AAdvantage PAX on AA flights than for QFF.

 

[Doctore1003]

There are a lot of changes to the Aadvantage program this year you should be aware of, see eg. American AAdvantage 2016 Changes (Including Award Chart Devaluation) - One Mile at a Time

 

[drewbles]

Go AAdvantage ... its a no brainer ...

With the travel indicated you could easily get status with an AA "Platinum Challenge", retain it and then get to Executive Platinum (Emerald).

Once that status kicks in, earn and burn is generally far better with AAdvantage than QFF, even with the same flights.

Then there's the upgrades ... far better for AAdvantage PAX on AA flights than for QFF.

This. Living in the USA, AA is an absolute no brainer, with one caveat. AA elites do not get lounge access on domestic only itineraries. If that's important to you, you either have to buy an Admirals Club membership, or use a credit card to gain access where possible (if you are eligible for a US card).

You'll get unlimited upgrades to F as an AA EXP (domestically, where available of course) and 8 SWU's (System Wide Upgrades), allowing a trip of up to three segments, to be upgraded to the next fare class. eg. you may do say MIA-JFK-LAX-SYD on AA, and you can apply the SWU to the entire path. If flying AA, QF status is not a patch on their own.

Golden rule for AA gate agents, be sympathetic to them, friendly and polite, and they move mountains for you as an elite

There are a lot of changes to the Aadvantage program this year you should be aware of, see eg. American AAdvantage 2016 Changes (Including Award Chart Devaluation) - One Mile at a Time

The devaluation still leaves QF for dead, value wise. If you're flying weekly on AA, and using a USA issued credit card that earns with AA, you'll be so far in front of QF it's not funny.

Also, if you have no plans on returning to Australia during your stay in the USA, QF status won't stick. QF rigidly enforce the minimum 4 segment rule.

Domestic flights with QF codes as part of an international fare are a false economy. More points/SC's yes, but an overly-inflated cost most the time. YUPP/KUPP fares are the way to go, but ex-JFK/LGA/EWR you don't find many great value routes as a rule.

 

[Anna]

in the past I have used my QFF points to upgrade from Y to J on all my international legs

All of them? You have been extraordinarily lucky. I wish I had been that lucky with QF upgrades - although my requests have usually not been Y to J but have been PE to J (100% failure) or J to F (50% failure). Visible empty seats in the requested cabins, just to rub salt into the wounds.

I agree, go AA if you live in USA. And tell us about any good YUPP routings you find!

 

[travs]

You'll get unlimited upgrades to F as an AA EXP (domestically, where available of course) and 8 SWU's (System Wide Upgrades), allowing a trip of up to three segments, to be upgraded to the next fare class. eg. you may do say MIA-JFK-LAX-SYD on AA, and you can apply the SWU to the entire path. If flying AA, QF status is not a patch on their own.

It's gotten a lot harder to get those EXP upgrades, so don't count on them. FYI, the 8 SWUs will be 4 this year, so while still valuable, it's a big cut back to the program.

I'd just platinum challenge then push on to EXP. Even at 4 SWUs (and 2 more at 150k and 200k now), being based in the US, it's still good.

If you get the top end citi AA card, you pay 495 a year, but it comes with Admiral's club membership, no foreign transaction fee and 10k ELITE miles if you spend 40k a year (a huge bonus IMO.) It's also good for domestic QF lounge access when you're back here. I have one, and the elite miles (and of course regular miles and other perks) make it totally worth it alone.

 

[cove]

Yes the top end Citi AA card has been a winner for us in the US but a Bankwest World card is able to get you about 1.3 Qantas points per dollar so it is pretty close with fair exchange rates tossed in. Today the Citi AA top end card gets you 0.77 AA miles per US dollar and automatic Admirals Club.

 

[travs]

Yes the top end Citi AA card has been a winner for us in the US but a Bankwest World card is able to get you about 1.3 Qantas points per dollar so it is pretty close with fair exchange rates tossed in. Today the Citi AA top end card gets you 0.77 AA miles per US dollar and automatic Admirals Club.

Do you mean AU dollar?

https://secure.fly.aa.com/citi/ccpage-exec

Shows that its still 1 AA mile per USD... I'm confused?

 

[cove]

Sure you get one point per US dollar on that card but if you convert every thing in your head to Aussie dollars you are getting less. Most Australians think in their Aussie dollar currency. This makes tipping in the US generously quite difficult.

 

[travs]

Sure you get one point per US dollar on that card but if you convert every thing in your head to Aussie dollars you are getting less. Most Australians think in their Aussie dollar currency. This makes tipping in the US generously quite difficult.

On another note, Tipping hack: double the tax! Most US cities it's about 10% sales tax, so it's quick and easy. If they are great, just add a few more bucks. If they are truly bad, just tip the tax.

 

[cove]

Yes travs that works in most of the US. Smart phones have a calculator if anyone is mathematically challenged by their 18% times table and don't want to go 20%.

 

[RichardMEL]

I would go AA via the plat chalenge

if based iN USA and unlikely to return to oz much(if at all?) in 3 (or more) years, then you wouldn't get the 4 QF ~ to maintain status, so AA makes the most sense IMHO.

 

[david1]

I'm in a somewhat similar position, and wondering what people would suggest, hope it's not too big a thread hijack. I'm currently QF SG, and moving to LA for 2-3 years. I'll be able to get my 4 ~'s each year so maintaining QF status is no problem. I wont be earning many miles/points through credit cards etc. and I'll be mainly flying domestic with 1-3 long haul o/s trips per year.

Not sure how much benefit I'll get from AA Plat since I wont be earning huge amounts of miles, and already have QF status?

 

[downloadingdata]

The great thing about AA is that you dont need to fly 4 sectors to achieve / maintain a status, so its much easier for people to get AA status even if they never set foot on US soil then the other way round with QF