CX Gold vs QF Gold?

[sparoz]

I am currently a status match Diamond for CX but with recent changes now I need to requalify for my status. I have a circle pacific trip coming up in F and I can have an option to put it into CX so that I will be Gold, or in Qantas and make me Gold as well. I have already made the decision to put my wife's and daughter's points towards QF so that my wife will make Gold in her membership year, and my 2-1/4 yo daughter will actually make Platinum with our current bookings due to her different membership year!

Currently, I have been only using Qantas for domestics and usually fly in J with points only (used to be ASA but no longer). Internationally, we try to use points most of the time in J, but I found it more and more difficult especially with QF and I was only able to get a redemption to the US in Y this time and hence we got the ACIR instead.

With my wife going to be QF Gold and my daughter QF Plat by the end of the year, is it better off for me to go to CX Gold? Is there much difference in service levels between Diamond and Gold in CX? I am getting so used to them getting me award seats and also no waiting time when calling them.

 

[vitagen]

I would choose QF so you get recognition on EK as well

 

[samh004]

Depends who you're more likely to fly internationally, as CX look after their own, especially higher levels, very well. That said, perhaps taking into account where your credit card points are going is also worth considering, as points without status makes it hard to use them.

 

[zainman]

Is it easy to get status matched to CX MPC?

 

[samh004]

Is it easy to get status matched to CX MPC?

Would have assumed it came from Centurion, but seeing as they require 120,000 miles a year, and it's effectively 210,000 to move through the levels from Green, you'd have to show exceptional promise

 

[sparoz]

Depends who you're more likely to fly internationally, as CX look after their own, especially higher levels, very well. That said, perhaps taking into account where your credit card points are going is also worth considering, as points without status makes it hard to use them.

Many thanks - in that case, probably maintaining some sort of CX is going to be good. I can always transfer my points to my daughters/wife account for QF. Most of my points is in Amex MR so I can pretty much transfer it to anywhere.

Is it easy to get status matched to CX MPC?

Status matched probably was the wrong word. It was a card benefit. The new deal is still pretty good, as it only requires half the required miles or sectors to qualify the tier. However, it do highlight it is much easier to obtain status with QF than with CX.

 

[zainman]

Would have assumed it came from Centurion, but seeing as they require 120,000 miles a year, and it's effectively 210,000 to move through the levels from Green, you'd have to show exceptional promise

Cool. Thanks for that. Do you know any *O FF programs that have family pooling like VA? Would be nice if I could pool my Mr's status credits to myself, would certainly make attaining/retaining tier a lot easier.

 

[samh004]

Cool. Thanks for that. Do you know any *O FF programs that have family pooling like VA? Would be nice if I could pool my Mr's status credits to myself, would certainly make attaining/retaining tier a lot easier.

I think BA's points can be pooled, but not status.

Haven't really looked though to be honest as I'm happy where I am.

 

[yohy?!]

I status matched cx from qf last year...You need to show history of cx in the last year to be successful then they will likely grant silver or gold and let you work up to DM.

To the op I would be crediting to cx as the redemption rates and taxes are much lower than qf (particularly if you won't get to QF platinum) plus gold gives you v class seat guarantee and good standing in the op up pecking order.

 

[mitwg]

I'm biased on this since I'm CX DM, but to me (others may not agree), the CX program is so much more valuable than the QF program.

There are two advantages for me of the CX program that makes it better than QF's.

1. They really look after their own FFers. While the benefits seem to be watering down somewhat, there are still loads of unpublished benefits and they are really willing to bend rules where possible to cater for your requirements. CX DMs also get anytime J lounge access and +2 guests to the F lounge when flying OW and this is a published benefit, which I think its fantastic.

2. Cheaper mileage redemption rates. Sure, on QF you earn more which sort of balances this out but the 100% bonus doesn't apply to manufactered points through credit card spend so on a overall level, it costs much less to redeem on OW airlines on CX rather than on QF. Plus, you'll need CX miles to redeem upgrades on CX.

The only thing attractive about QF's program was getting benefits while flying JQ and EK as well but I normally don't fly JQ enough for this to matter and as for EK, SQ's coverage is about as good as EK's so it is not a logical choice to fly on EK for me when there's SQ for flights to Europe/Asia and CX to the US.