AAdvantage vs QFF - specifically for upgrading to/redeeming in premium cabins

[Aerials]

Hi All

I'm relatively new to frequent flying and am currently trying to decide whether I should switch FFP from QFF to Aadvantage. After browsing through past posts it seems the general consensus is that AAdvantage is superior to QFF for earn/burn of points, but as always, which one is better depends on the individual situation.

A colleague of mine has done the numbers which suggests that AAdvantage is indeed better for redeeming points for long haul economy flights based on a flying pattern similar to mine. However, I'd like to:

1. Reality test that with the experienced flyers here
2. Get a view on whether the same outcome would be reached if I specifically wanted to redeem points for premium cabins or for upgrading economy tickets to premium cabins
3. Understand whether I would be able to achieve top tier status on AAdvantage (the numbers seem to suggest it would take more than 1 year)

My flying pattern:

• ~70 domestic one way flights a year
• ~1/3 of those are MEL-SYD or SYD-MEL
• ~1/3 of those are MEL-PER or PER-MEL
• ~1/6 of those are MEL-BNE or BNE-MEL
• ~1/6 of those are MEL-ADL or ADL-MEL
• All tickets are fully-flexible economy or one class below that (partially flexible?) with the exception of MEL-PER/PER-MEL which are business
• There may be 1 or 2 international return flights per year, flying business class to random destinations
• Employer paid (I read somewhere that we can earn an additional point for every $10 if on AAdvantage?)

Other point accrual methods:

• Relatively low CC spend (<$2000/month) - currently linked to QFF but happy to switch to linking to SPG (and either keeping them for hotel redemption or converting to miles)

Current status:

• QFF Gold
• Not an AAdvantage member

Let me know if you need any other information to get a more relevant answer.

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[Aerials]

Sorry - forgot to add:

What other trade-offs are there if I switch to AAdvantage? I may get better earn/burn but:
- Will I be giving up domestic lounge access (don't really care about this)?
- Is lifetime status easier to achieve on AAdvantage or QFF?
- Are other perks such as spouse/partner status available on AAdvantage?

Thanks again!

 

[simongr]

I will run the numbers a bit later and check for you. A few observations:

- upgrades - you can only upgrade QF flights with QF points and AA flights with AA points.
- if you get status with AA you can indeed use domestic lounges. You can also continue to use DOM lounges by virtue of your QF status whilst crediting flights to AA
- lifetime status - I think it is much of a muchness. I got 75% of the way to LTS equivalent on AA in about two years (lot of international trips) and in four years have gone from about 1800 SCs on qantas to almost 14K SCs. Soft me it is about the same - close enough at least.
- there is no partner gold status
- there are system wide upgrades though - EXP get 8 per year that for example you could use to upgrade say NRT-JFK

A key consideration needs also to be the fact that AA work off a calendar year for status earning so your decision to switch needs to consider that.

 

[serfty]

For a start; you could elevate you AA status quite quickly with such flights via the AA "Platinum Challenge" - the beneifit here is the status bonus.

More here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-platinum-challenge-mileage-earning-8595.html

 

[simongr]

Just a quick run of the numbers would show you wouldn't hit EXP on AA unless you have those int'l flights - on a recurrent basis:

~70 domestic one way flights a year	No.	SCs	Miles	EQPs
~1/3 of those are MEL-SYD or SYD-MEL	23	 460 	 438 	 10,074 
~1/3 of those are MEL-PER or PER-MEL	23	 1,840 	 1,680 	 57,960 
~1/6 of those are MEL-BNE or BNE-MEL	12	 360 	 858 	 10,296 
~1/6 of those are MEL-ADL or ADL-MEL	12	 240 	 399 	 4,788 
				
xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_x	70	 2,900 	 3,375 	 83,118

This is assuming your DOM flights are not booked into B Y or W

There are three levels of whY DOM flights:

Red-e-deals - discount whY earn EQPs (equivalent to SCs) at 0.5
Flexi savers - earn at 1
Full flex - earn at 1.5

I get flexi savers which earn the higher level of SCs (factored into the table above) but generally book into L or V.

Even if you did book into B Y or W you would be a little shy of the requirement of 100,000 EQPs

~70 domestic one way flights a year	No.	SCs	Miles	EQPs
~1/3 of those are MEL-SYD or SYD-MEL	23	 460 	 438 	 15,111 
~1/3 of those are MEL-PER or PER-MEL	23	 1,840 	 1,680 	 57,960 
~1/6 of those are MEL-BNE or BNE-MEL	12	 360 	 858 	 15,444 
~1/6 of those are MEL-ADL or ADL-MEL	12	 240 	 399 	 7,182 
				
xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx_x	70	 2,900 	 3,375 	 95,697

 

[Aerials]

Thanks for the responses guys.

That's interesting that your calculation shows I won't make EXP in a year - so that's even with fully flex econ + business for MEL-PER legs? I think the numbers I've seen previously showed that I would. I'd imagine signing up for an AA challenge would help me get to EXP within a year?

Thanks also for clearing up my additional points. So domestic lounge access doesn't seem to be a problem. How about random upgrades and priority seating?

Also, after looking at the burn rates for AAdvantage vs Qantas, it almost seems like redeeming for int'l business class with AAdvantage will cost you a similar amount of points as forsimply upgrading int'l economy to business with QFF points. If that's right, then who cares about not being able to upgrade seats with points on the other partner's metal.

Looks like I should switch to AAdvantage! Any reasons not to?

 

[v8Statesman]

- there is no partner gold status

There is now.

www.aa.com/eliterewards

At 150k EQP one of your options is "Gift of Platinum for a friend" (OWS, Equivalent to QF Gold)

 

[simongr]

Thanks for the responses guys.

That's interesting that your calculation shows I won't make EXP in a year - so that's even with fully flex econ + business for MEL-PER legs? I think the numbers I've seen previously showed that I would. I'd imagine signing up for an AA challenge would help me get to EXP within a year?

Thanks also for clearing up my additional points. So domestic lounge access doesn't seem to be a problem. How about random upgrades and priority seating?

Also, after looking at the burn rates for AAdvantage vs Qantas, it almost seems like redeeming for int'l business class with AAdvantage will cost you a similar amount of points as forsimply upgrading int'l economy to business with QFF points. If that's right, then who cares about not being able to upgrade seats with points on the other partner's metal.

Looks like I should switch to AAdvantage! Any reasons not to?

I don't think there is an EXP challenge just Platinum.

My calcs were based on not quite full fare whY. Flexi savers earn the same as full whY crediting to QF. On AA full fare whY earns 1.5 times flexi savers. Check your bookings and check the fare basis to see what you are booked into.

Interesting V8statesman - nice new change from AA.