Gaining FF points for Australia when flying USA domestic

[roomer]

Well after the help I had as a Newbie regarding soon to expire SIA FF points, I thought I'd be so bold as to enquire as to whether its worthwhile to join the local FF scheme for USA domestic flights or in some cases will it automatically accrue with your Aussie FF scheme ?

By way of example we are doing a round trip from LAX to LAX on the one booking that entails flying with US Airways, United Airlines and American Airlines.

Now I understand there is some merger planned/occurring between AA and US Airways so I'm not sure if there is commonality there, but since Qantas and AA are aligned, I was wondering do we need to join AA's FF scheme and somehow transfer that to our Qantas FF or will that be done automatically if we show AA our Qantas FF membership?

If there is no commonality at the moment between AA and US Airways, do I need to show US Airways my Velocity membership or should I join US Airways FF scheme?

Regarding United Airlines, I think this made be a codeshare between US Airways, as one section of our journey is into two legs, the first leg with US Airways and the remaining leg of that section is with United Airlines.

Clearly this is all new to me, but these journeys are the result of our eldest son marrying a lovely Texan gal, and it's likely there will be other similar family/sightseeing trips in the future, so it would be good to know how we should best take advantage of these air miles.

Appreciate any guidance/suggestions you might have

 

[Hvr]

For AA you can put your QFF number on your booking and earn points and SCs. Some of us have even been known to get cheap status this way. But always check the class of ticket to make sure you actually do earn. Some cheap fares don't get any points of SCs.

Look here for further info: Frequent Flyer - Earning Points - Fly - Airline Partners

 

[roomer]

For AA you can put your QFF number on your booking and earn points and SCs. Some of us have even been known to get cheap status this way. But always check the class of ticket to make sure you actually do earn. Some cheap fares don't get any points of SCs.


Thanks HVR for that. Anyone know about US Airlines & United Airlines situation ?

 

[Mwenenzi]

Anyone know about US Airlines & United Airlines situation ?

Both US Airlines & United Airlines are members of www.staralliance.com (as is SIA).

For US Airlines & United Airlines you need to join a star airline freq flyer program (ffp)
Some here like Aegean Airlines and/or Avianca LifeMiles
If US Airline is taken over by AA, the US miles will become AA miles. Depends on court action in the USA
United Airlines is going to have a massive miles devaluation next year.

Qantas & AA are in Oneworld (the opposition to Star). 1 AA miile has more value than 1 QF point (and far less cash surcharges)

Essentially you cannot move miles/points from 1 ffp to another ffp
Freq flyer program are complicated: they are not equal

More here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/general-airline-loyalty-program-discussion/

 

[roomer]

Brilliant Mwenenz, thanks for that.

I guess we need to join up with United Airlines FF as soon as, given we go away in 2 weeks !

I'm puzzled though as to why people would join Aegean Airlines and/or Avianca, is it because they intend to fly with them on future journeys to locations that those airlines sevice. Or is there some other benefit given your comment "Freq flyer program are complicated: they are not equal"

 

[serfty]

Agean and Avianca are both Star Alliance members.

The former is popular because *G is teasingly easy to earn and retain. *G gives lounge access and additional luggage (generally) when travelling on *A carriers.

The latter is popular since award miles/points can be purchased and redeemed for business/first class travel at cost effective rates (pethaps $2500 return to Europe).

 

[roomer]

Forgive my ignorance but are you saying you could fly on Star Alliance carriers; United Airlines & US Airlines having first joined their FF club and then move those points over to say Avianca to possibly subsidise the cost of a busness trip to Europe from Australia ?

Similarly you could move points over to Agean and if you get 16,000 miles within 12 months , you get gold membership which is recognised by all Star Alliance lounges ?

In my ignorance I just thought you collected FF points when overseas and linked them back to your Aussie FF membership to redeem for flights or rewards. Seems like it can be a quite bit more involved...

 

[Mwenenzi]

No. You join Agean or Avianca (or United) freq flyer program and put that freq flyer number in the United & US Airways reservations before you fly.
Miles/points cannot be moved between freq flyer programs

 

[roomer]

AH! thanks for that Mwenenzi, so thats how its done ! Cheers

 

[roomer]

OK, I think I've got it, have joined Agean today ( got free 1000 miles) so will present that at the counter. I had forgotten I had joined US Airways earlier this year when I found I was flying with them. The actual booking was done with BYOJet who organised the LAX to LAX legs, but in which I am Flying AA, US Airways and United. At the time of booking all I gave to BYOjet was my QFF no. so I assume I'll automatically get FF points with the AA flight, but not sure if I need to somehow cancel out of the US Airways FF membership so that I can earn points with Agean,

 

[serfty]

You will have to get on to this segment by segment.

Make sure that with AA you have your Qantas Number, UA/US you Agean number.

In all cases it should be printed on the BP's.

Finallu - Hang on to those BP's until the points/miles have correctly credited to AAdvantage or Agean.

 

[roomer]

Thanks Sefty (and everyone else who has helped in my FF education) I really appreciate your tips (those BPs will not leave my side ! )

 

[SeatBackForward]

Just to kick this topic along, when trying to use the US Airways site, there is no option to put in QFF when making a booking, the list still looks like mainly *A partners, although AA is on the list. Any idea what to do if I want to use their site?

 

[serfty]

Just to kick this topic along, when trying to use the US Airways site, there is no option to put in QFF when making a booking, the list still looks like mainly *A partners, although AA is on the list. Any idea what to do if I want to use their site?

Aside from waiting until April to put you number in perhaps online - maybe it could be done by calling?