Best Frequent Flyer Program for me?

[Wubba]

I'm a Canadian expat living in Sydney who by virtue of a few RTW Business class trips for work has retained my AA Plat status for a few years (not by much, but hey...).

Work is no longer sending me around the world (boo!) so while I may requalify this year for Plat status (by the skin of my teeth), I am looking for my best options in a program for next year. I'll probably be in Australia for a few more years but am considering if I should be sending my miles to my Qantas Bronze FF membership, or keep going with AA.

QP access is important, and I will most likely be travelling domestically for work and pleasure on Y within Australia next year plus travelling overseas once or twice (sadly, again in economy).

Is it worth it to start to try to earn status on Qantas, or should i concentrate my energies on AA? I also have an Australian AMEX with Ascent, not that that helps with SCs.

 

[drron]

Stay with AA if only because if you have been plat for a few years then life Time gold must surely be obtainable.Add to that AA's better burn rate,less fuel fines and I see no point in switching to QF.You really need to be the top tier with QF to get really good opportunities for upgrades.They do not offer free upgrades such as the 500 mile coupons even if only gold on AA.To use these you would have to go back to LOTFAP but as an expat that I guess is probable.As a QF bronze or silver you are not going to get lounge access.As an AA plat you should.Probably you will be able to buy back status when it first drops to gold.
There has been a lot of comments on this over the years on this site.

 

[Dave Noble]

Given that you are already platinum then I would definitely stick with AA. Even with discount economy fares ( as long as you avoid the cpl of non eligable fare classes ) you will earn as many miles to AA as you would have as a bronze QF member and if you fly on K or higher will have double the earning.

With the redemption rates, you will likely be far better off sticking to AA

Dave