Earning & using AAdvantage miles to maintain Qantas Platinum status?

[mstgrv]

I'm a Qantas Platinum frequent flyer, based in the US for the moment, so I'm flying AA on my Qantas FF number at the moment, which means that I'm not earning AAdvantage miles, and am ineligible for upgrades.

I'm looking at getting a credit card that earns AAdvantage miles, and I'm wondering if there's a way to use those miles such that I'm maintaining my Qantas status, rather than building my AA status? My reasoning is that it's going to be easier to maintain my existing Qantas Platinum status than to build up to AA Executive Platinum from scratch.

So I'm wondering - if I spend AAdvantage miles I earn via credit card rewards on flights where I'm specifying my Qantas FF number, will those flights earn Qantas status credits? Or will they be analogous to Qantas Awards bookings where no status credits are earned?

Basically - is there any method for using AAdvantage points to earn Qantas status credits?

 

[JohnK]

Awards do not usually earn SCs and points except when Qantas has specific promotions where economy award flights earn SCs and/or points but those awards needs to booked via Qantas using QFF points not Aadvantage miles.

 

[mstgrv]

Awards do not usually earn SCs and points except when Qantas has specific promotions where economy award flights earn SCs and/or points but those awards needs to booked via Qantas using QFF points not Aadvantage miles.

So there's no AAdvantage equivalent to "Points Plus Pay" where you're spending points/miles but earning status credits at the same time?

Just looking for any possible way that spending AAdvantage points can possibly earn Qantas status credits... because if there's no way, I'll look for a credit card with a rewards scheme other than AAdvantage.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So there's no AAdvantage equivalent to "Points Plus Pay" where you're spending points/miles but earning status credits at the same time?

Just looking for any possible way that spending AAdvantage points can possibly earn Qantas status credits... because if there's no way, I'll look for a credit card with a rewards scheme other than AAdvantage.

Depending how long you're going to be in the states you might want to consider swapping to AA. Your current QF status will get you into the lounges and get you benefits such as priority check-in while you accrue relevant status on AA (but you would need to buy lounge access). AA status will give you the free upgrades.

On return to Australia, use your AA status for lounge access/priority check-in until you get back your QF status.

Otherwise your Aussie credit card will continue to earn QF points (if you have it linked).

 

[Mattg]

Basically - is there any method for using AAdvantage points to earn Qantas status credits?

To answer your question, I don't believe so.

As others have said, you may wish to swap over to AAdvantage if you're planning to stay in the United States for more than a year or so.

 

[galah]

G'day mstgrv

Having spent the last 3 years in the states in a similar position I can understand where you're coming from. AA Exec Plat is very difficult to hit from scratch unless you're doing significant international travel or doing the FIFO thing.

It's going to depend on your flying patterns, but I can recommend:

• Get the AA Citi credit card w/ signup bonus miles
• Use AA miles to redeem flights that are normally expensive to purchase (i.e. short hops or routes with high business traffic)
• Find cheap F/J flights on AA where possible, even if you have to position using AA miles, and credit to QF to maintain status

As previously noted, you can't upgrade if you're flying paid Y on AA and crediting to QF, but then again you're not much of a shot at upgrading anyway unless you're EXP.

Also consider switching to DL via a Status Challenge - you get Platinum for 90 days and flying 18750 qualifying miles will maintain it. I'm currently halfway through a challenge and have been upgraded 4 out of 7 times so far. There's also a DL Amex CC with similar miles promo and earn (although DL redemption rates are worse than AA).
SkyMiles Medallion® Status Match Challenge : Delta Air Lines

 

[serfty]

...
you can't upgrade if you're flying paid Y on AA and crediting to QF, but then again you're not much of a shot at upgrading anyway unless you're EXP....

Sure you can ... and up to three segments in the one journey.

This is using AA miles and generally a co-pay.

 

[galah]

Sure you can ... and up to three segments in the one journey.

This is using AA miles and in some cases a co-pay. ..

Good point - I completely forgot about that method. Is upgrading using miles reliant upon award availability in the U/Z fare bucket? Or will they release J/F seats for this purpose?

 

[serfty]

"A" for First and "C" for Business. ... on two class domestic flights, that's discount economy to First; with three class transcontinental it's to Business.

15K + USD75. Can be as short such as LGA-ORD or as long such as LAX-SEA-DFW-MIA ...

Different rates for Hawaii and Alaska ...

 

[dfcatch]

Personally - I would:

1/ Keep crediting to QF if you believe you can maintain QF WP more easily than AA EXP.
2/ Don't worry about domestic upgrades - reality is, even as an EXP, they don't always clear (although better than UA 1K, and arguably better than DL Diamond). Besides, domestic upgrades are getting slowly enhanced.
3/ Nothing wrong with earning AA miles, as they're still highly valuable for premium redemptions (including on QF).
4/ I would get the SPG Amex as your first CC. Much better value on a per $ basis than the Citi AA card, and it gives you flexibility to transfer to other airlines if they have a better redemption opportunity for you on the day (PM me if you want a link that will give me some bonus SPG points too)
5/ The Citi AA card is great for a second card if AA miles are your primary currency.
6/ Otherwise a good cashback card, including the Discover card can be a more rewarding option for many folks too - especially if you quarantine the cashback as your "mileage purchasing kitty"