From AA plat back to QFF WP

[vt01]

About 1.5 years ago I switched from QFF to AA for many good reasons - Fuel fines and QF gouging me on points for any FF trips I wanted to take were the main ones. Plus it was going to take me at least 5 years to reach LTG (I had just reached LTS).

After starting a new role this year I should be able to to do 1, maybe 2 DONE4's each year. So that plus my other 5 or 6 odd trips in Asia should be enough to get me to LTG in a couple of years. As it would take many more years to reach 2 million miles in AA to get almost equivalent benefits, I've decided to switch back until I reach LTG and then go back to AA.

As mrs VT01 is not that interested in travel at the moment, the loss of points to AA won't be such a big deal.. And I'll just use the QF points for upgrades (no fuel fines) until I switch back to AA in a couple of years. I still have 150k points with AA so got some points for domestic trips if I need them..

Good decision? Who knows. Hopefully LTG will still be around for the next couple of years!

 

[simongr]

Your travel patterns sound similar to mine and I am struggling with this decision a little myself. In 15 months to Dec 07 I would have racked up 6000+ SCs if I had stuck with QF and would be WP My travel for this year is likely to be 2xDONE + 2xCircle Asia - easily enough to retain EXP.

I have used the eVIPs a good deal but as of next year I do not expect to be able to use them more.

In terms of travel we are hoping for mini-simongrs late this year or next year and as we have a major RTW trip this July (paid for using AA miles) I am seriosuly thinking about going back to QF. The main reason for sticking with AA for me is not so much for my travel but to see if I can use points to fund my parent's visits from Cyprus a little more frequently and in F/J...

 

[vt01]

Your travel patterns sound similar to mine and I am struggling with this decision a little myself. In 15 months to Dec 07 I would have racked up 6000+ SCs if I had stuck with QF and would be WP My travel for this year is likely to be 2xDONE + 2xCircle Asia - easily enough to retain EXP.

I have used the eVIPs a good deal but as of next year I do not expect to be able to use them more.

In terms of travel we are hoping for mini-simongrs late this year or next year and as we have a major RTW trip this July (paid for using AA miles) I am seriosuly thinking about going back to QF. The main reason for sticking with AA for me is not so much for my travel but to see if I can use points to fund my parent's visits from Cyprus a little more frequently and in F/J...

Hmmm.. yes - if I was just after points then I would stick with AA. You could always build up enough AA points to get your parents a couple of trips each and then plough everything back into QFF to get LTG and then back to AA. Although one other reason go go back to QFF is it is easier to get WP than EXP. I can't get EXP with my DONE4 but I can easily achieve WP. I probaby would be able to get EXP this year.

But then LTG is my real aim here. As long as QF don't 'enhance' QFF further, I should be able to achieve LTG. This would be good as then I would have lifetime access to QP. This also includes access to Admirals lounges when travelling domestic in the US. I've got 6000 miles to go for LTG so hopefully 2 years will do it.

The other triggers that helped me make the decision was I have travelled to destinations which require us to travel Y and I didn't have any points to upgrade. I also travelled on MH and so without WP I couldn't access the Lounges in SYD T1.

I know I'm going to be disappointed with the miles I get with QFF but at this stage I think it's going to suit me. If I can do it in 2 years, then I'll be back at AA quite quickly.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[futaris]

The other triggers that helped me make the decision was I have travelled to destinations which require us to travel Y and I didn't have any points to upgrade. I also travelled on MH and so without WP I couldn't access the Lounges in SYD T1.

I heard that this "any time" access will be disappearing from QFF soon. Other than that, having LTG is a good thing.

 

[DTM1]

I have just passed 11,000 SCs, and plan to earn at least 1,000 - 1,200 SCs per year for the next year or 2, so I am sticking with QF at least until LTG, and I will then re-assess. Makes it a bit easier, as most flying is done on QF.

 

[Petch]

I heard that this "any time" access will be disappearing from QFF soon. Other than that, having LTG is a good thing.

Qantas platinum FFs received a letter (or email) at the beginning of October last year, giving us 6 months notification, that from 1st April 2008, "anytime/any-airline" First Lounge access would be withdrawn as a benefit. (But International Business Lounges & Qantas Clubs, would still "welcome" us, regardless of the airline we were flying.)

As part of reassessing my loyalty (given the lack of trust I have in Qantas Group's ability to understand that loyalty is a two way street) I have joined Priority Pass, and now have "anytime/any-airline access" to the Red Carpet Clubs in SYD & MEL.

 

[futaris]

Are you sure that non-Qantas Clubs (Oneworld / Partner airline clubs) will allow "anytime" access???

 

[Petch]

Are you sure that non-Qantas Clubs (Oneworld / Partner airline clubs) will allow "anytime" access???

"Anytime/any-airline" lounge access was only ever provided to Qantas operated lounges, it is not a OneWorld benefit. (So I should have specifically stated Qantas First Lounge and Qantas International Business Lounge.)

 

[vt01]

"Anytime/any-airline" lounge access was only ever provided to Qantas operated lounges, it is not a OneWorld benefit. (So I should have specifically stated Qantas First Lounge and Qantas International Business Lounge.)

That's ok with me.. All I'm after is lounge access when not travelling oneworld. FCL is very nice but J class is better than nothing!

 

[QF WP]

vt01, very similar to my decision as well. At the end of Feb, I'll drop back to AA Base (after soft landing from Gold, which was a soft landing from gaining Plat as a Challenge).

Whilst I don't regret having used AA over the past couple of years (certainly getting point upgrades was the biggest benefit to my wife and I on our USA trips - then having the ability to upgrade my sick dad on his AA sectors SJU/MIA/LAX); I also wanted to get to QF Lifetime Silver. Sure, I wonder how many SC's I'd have earnt (adn been much closer to LT Gold)...

I have only put 1 flight on AA this year (to keep account open), I'd recommend that to you, given their new expiration rule

 

[Dave Noble]

That's ok with me.. All I'm after is lounge access when not travelling oneworld. FCL is very nice but J class is better than nothing!

If that is all you are after, have you considered staying as is but getting a Priority Pass Card?

Dave

 

[vt01]

vt01, very similar to my decision as well. At the end of Feb, I'll drop back to AA Base (after soft landing from Gold, which was a soft landing from gaining Plat as a Challenge).

Whilst I don't regret having used AA over the past couple of years (certainly getting point upgrades was the biggest benefit to my wife and I on our USA trips - then having the ability to upgrade my sick dad on his AA sectors SJU/MIA/LAX); I also wanted to get to QF Lifetime Silver. Sure, I wonder how many SC's I'd have earnt (adn been much closer to LT Gold)...

I have only put 1 flight on AA this year (to keep account open), I'd recommend that to you, given their new expiration rule

Good point! Thanks Lindsay . I forgot about the points expiring. My last activity was November last year so I've got about 16 months to do it.

Looking at my activity since moving to AA, I don't think I would've earnt more than about 1000 sc's. Certainly not enough to retain my WP status last year. So apart from being a little further away from LTG, I'm still better off and like you don't regret my decision to move to AA. PLus I've still got 150k AA points which is much better value then the QF points I would've earnt!

 

[serfty]

I heard that this "any time" access will be disappearing from QFF soon. Other than that, having LTG is a good thing.

This would surprise me if it happens with the changes mooted to be announced in February.

As posted QFF have recently announced anytime access for WP's is to pared back to J lounges/QP only unless travelling QF/JQ/oneworld from April 1st. A subsequent such change is thus less likely IMO.

As for myself; being at ~12K SC's, I intend to follow the LTSG route with QF before considering any substantial crediting to AAdvantage.

 

[vt01]

If that is all you are after, have you considered staying as is but getting a Priority Pass Card?

Dave

Hi Dave. I've heard of this card but what does it offer? Similar facilities to the QP? Food, drinks etc? and how much does it cost? thx..

 

[serfty]

Look here: Priority Pass - 500 Airport Lounges Worldwide

In ADL, MEL, SYD, BNE & CBR DOmestic you get access to the DJ's "The Lounge".

SYD & MEL international, you can access the UA RCCs.

 

[vt01]

Look here: Priority Pass - 500 Airport Lounges Worldwide

In ADL, MEL, SYD, BNE & CBR DOmestic you get access to the DJ's "The Lounge".

SYD & MEL international, you can access the UA RCCs.

Thanks Serfty!

 

[Dave Noble]

Hi Dave. I've heard of this card but what does it offer? Similar facilities to the QP? Food, drinks etc? and how much does it cost? thx..

Priority Pass - 500 Airport Lounges Worldwide

The prices are either

USD99 per year plus USD27 per visit
or
USD249 per year including 10 visits and then USD27 after that
or
USD399 for unlimited visits

Dave

 

[serfty]

It seems UA is closing the SYD RCC from today ...

 

[JohnK]

Wow! A mass exodus from AA back to QF. :shock:

Look here: Priority Pass - 500 Airport Lounges Worldwide

Is there a time limit on how long you can spend in the Priority Pass lounge? I have heard elsewhere that there is a 2 hour time limit.

Also remember that in airports like BKK the Louis Tavern fish bowl is the Priority Pass Lounge. Not sure I would be paying money for this type of benefit.

 

[serfty]

Note that the PP website advertises the MEL and SYD RCC's as having "Cash Bar" facilities.

No issue like that I guess with the DJ Lounge affiliations.