Do the AA chalenge or wait

[fursten]

As a newbie have read with interest the threads on the AA platinum challenge.
I am QF gold and have been for a number of years, sometimes I do not always make the required flights but seem to get the gold renewed. My query is I have a flight planned in March in J class to USA and then plan to fly J class on an around the world ticket with wife. I lose status in April each year and I was wondering if someone could advise which is best option, do challenge in March from what I see I could get platinum from that one trip, that way if I lose gold from QF I have platinum for a year then make platinum or gold again with the round world ticket?
Thanks in advance for answers
Fursten

 

[Dave Noble]

If you are flying in J to the USA, you can complete the challenge on the SYD/MEL/BNE - LAX service on its own ( do make sure that you use the AA flight number ) since it is > 6667 miles.

As an example , doing SYD-LAX, you will earn 7488 base miles plus 1872 class of service bonus plus 7488 platinum challenge bonus , giving you 16,848 miles. You will then earn 7488 base plus 7488 status bonus plus 1872 COS bonjus on the flight back, giving a total earning of 33,696 miles .

As a Gold QF member you would earn 7488 base plus 1872 COS bonus plus 3744 status bonus each way , giving a total earning of 26208.

35k AA miles is enough for a r/t in J from anywhere in Oz to anywhere in NZ compared to a min of 72k QF miles plus fuel fines

If you are doing a J ATW trip later, then continue crediting to AA since it will easily make your renewal and earn you a lot of miles such that it is quite feasible that you will have enough miles in your account for a business class or 1st class r/t award from Oz to Europe

For J or F long distance travel , the AA scheme is , I would say, much better value than the QF scheme

Dave

 

[fursten]

Dave
Thanks, what your saying is if I have AA plat or gold, then it does not mater if I have the QF gold I get all priveledges anyway with lounges etc and any way it is almost impossible to get a upgrade with points from Y to J with Qantas on US sector anyway
Fursten

 

[Dave Noble]

Dave
Thanks, what your saying is if I have AA plat or gold, then it does not mater if I have the QF gold I get all priveledges anyway with lounges etc and any way it is almost impossible to get a upgrade with points from Y to J with Qantas on US sector anyway
Fursten

AA Platinum gives you nearly all the benefits of QF Gold other than the additional baggage allowance. Remember that a business class award flight using AA miles is less than the QF miles needed to upgrade from discount economy to business

Dave