Advice: Should I switch to AA

[NZ_Flyer]

Hoping for some advice here. I'm currently QF WP and NZ Elite. I'm going to be relocating to MSP for at least 2 years for work (the visa is 5 years so it could be that long). I'm trying to work out if I stick with QF and NZ or do a UA and/or DL and/or AA status challenge and switch to them. I'll be doing the following annually:

1. Fortnightly return domestic US trips (unsure of regular destination but in Y and have full choice over airline, may be more frequent but don't know yet)
2. Quarterly return to UK from US in PE (again can choose airline)
3. 2x returns to NZ per year in PE (again can choose airline but there will be an expectation I'll fly NZ where possible but I can get around that I'm sure)

In the US I will be aiming to get a US credit card for points once my credit score is good enough

Here's what I value:
1. Being able to upgrade from PE to J for trips home to NZ
2. Upgrades domestically in USA
3. Lounge access (though don't care if that's from a US credit card for example as opposed to airline status)

Hopefully that's enough info. I'm really not sure what path to follow so any advice much appreciated

 

[Anna]

Normally in the US it's good to put your loyalty with whichever airline has a hub in your home city, but MSP is a Delta hub and Delta doesn't seem to have good trans Pacific partners at the moment

 

[RichardMEL]

Yeah if MSP based then DL is the obvious one there.

You could probably still stick with NZ Elite given the regular trips back to NZ if you can do on NZ metal from NYC(when they fly it), IAH, SFO, LAX etc should get you the required sectors there to retaun, and NZ*G would allow UA club access on domestic clubs.

re QF/oneworld..while AA is an option, don't forget AS is also now an option - for some more partners that may suit better - you may want to do a comparision on benefits, award charts etc for what you might want to use the miles on - if anything. Though they may not do a status match or challenge of course. AS do have a close tie with AA now also with status benefits across the two, which could be handy.

You may want to think about what you want to use accrued points for - seems like you'll get a few on the domestic and trips to the UK, so the network and partnerships may give an indication (also note AA/B6 partnership) of options.

It seems like keeping QF WP is probably the hardest to do given you wouldn't be able to accrue the ~ to keep QF unless your NZ trips could be wrangled to go via SYD, but that is hardly optimal just for status (and per my thought to keep NZ*G above, would also affect that goal, if it is one). QF status handy to, like NZ, get into domestic lounges, extra bag allowances and all of hat kind of fun stuff but it seems for a few years probably not too easy to keep - though the WP status would extend a fair bit into the two years in MSP, so that may lso be a factor - though status challenge seems potentially more useful.

just some things to potentially think about.

 

[drron]

In the days of yore it was a no brainer to consider a US airline. I had no trouble getting to LTP + ExP on AA for example where using the same flights mrsdrron earning through QFF could only get to gold.

Those days are gone. Keeping your QF and NZ would be the best way to go if you value lounge access in the US. Status on a US airline doesn't get you that domestically. But I would definitely sign up for one of the airlines programs because of the ease of getting points via one of their cards. I would pick the one with the biggest bonus. US airline points are great for awards. I use my AA points now for J awards on QF. Much better value than using QF points.

And don't forget hotel credit cards. Some come with a degree of status as well as good earn.

 

[NZ_Flyer]

This is great! Thanks very much all.

I’m leaning towards going to DL in that case and keeping NZ (thanks @RichardMEL . It seems as long as I don’t update my address to a US one I’m exempt from MQD requirements too.

Then I’ll try to keep NZ Elite as well. But if it can’t I at least have *G till end 31 Aug 2024 and OWE/OWS until 31 March 2024 if I don’t add any status credits to either NZ or QF.

Post automatically merged: Mar 29, 2022

This is great! Thanks very much all.

I’m leaning towards going to DL in that case and keeping NZ (thanks @RichardMEL . It seems as long as I don’t update my address to a US one I’m exempt from MQD requirements too.

Then I’ll try to keep NZ Elite as well. But if it can’t I at least have *G till end 31 Aug 2024 and OWE/OWS until 31 March 2024 if I don’t add any status credits to either NZ or QF.

 

[drron]

And a follow up on Hotel CCs.OMAAT has an article on the Chase IHG card.

9 Reasons To Apply For IHG Premier Credit Card

Here are nine reasons you should apply for the incredible IHG Premier Card, offering some awesome benefits that many will get value out of.

onemileatatime.com

 

[NZ_Flyer]

And a follow up on Hotel CCs.OMAAT has an article on the Chase IHG card.

9 Reasons To Apply For IHG Premier Credit Card

Here are nine reasons you should apply for the incredible IHG Premier Card, offering some awesome benefits that many will get value out of.

onemileatatime.com

Oh yes! I'm planning on getting a Amex Platinum and one other so a hotel one could be good