Going Dark on QFF - Alternative OW Programs for Earn & Burn Value

[yohy?!]

So my flying for work has wound right back and it seems less important to maintain QF status, I'd like to go to best fare of the day for leisure flying after my next renewal so wondering which programs are best for earn and burn towards Oneworld awards.

From what I've seen previously AA is up there for those not shackled by status - is that still the case? I would be flying Qantas a bit still I think given they are often the best value to ports in Asia (not really considering LCCs as an option).

Most of my leisure travel is domestic/TT with a few trips a year to Asia and the US.

 

[serfty]

...
Most of my leisure travel is domestic/TT with a few trips a year to Asia and the US.

It's 30K AA one-way Oz to/from Asia in economy, 40K AA in Business.

It's 15K/25K between Oz and NZ & 40K/80K Oz and (Continental) USA

Consider QFF where it's 28/60K SYD/SIN, 35K/72K SYD/HND, 18K/36K SYD/AKL, 45K/96K SYD/LAX & 60K/128K SYD/JFK.

 

[RichardMEL]

since AA's latest round of devals I think AS is a place some have run to for value as AS offers award options on QF and a number of diverse carriers. AA offering EY awards is a nice option too for those looking for J/F travel on EY, and obviously it's oneworld so the ties with QF(and support in irrops) may be stronger. - eg the oneworld connection team at LAX

 

[moa999]

The burn rates are still better on AA, particularly on the +++ side, but not as good as they once were.

The main issue is it appears you are looking at discounted Y fares, mostly on QF
This table is worth looking at:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/partner-airlines/qantas.jsp

So say a Discounted Y fare SYD-MEL (a Red E-Deal in N Class)
QF earn = 800 points (10 SC)
AA earn = 220 miles (50% x 440m) (EQM=220, EQD=44)
and AA is half again if travelling in O,Q Class.

Even SYD-SIN in N class
QF earn = 2600 points (30 SC) (and 4550 if you are still QF Gold, 3900 if you drop to QF Silver)
AA earn = 1957 miles (50% x 3915m) (EQM=1957, EQD=196)

So for mostly domestic travel you will be earning a lot less miles/points on AA, and I suspect the burn rate won't make up for the difference.
On International Y it is closer, but this is where the QF elite bonuses start adding up.

 

[get me outta here]

To add for yohy?!, I just 'paid' 82,500 for J AA CBR-SYD-LAX-SEA-ANC so it is a good deal. Plus the fee of around AUD120.

serfty, where does HNL fit in your figures?

 

[yohy?!]

I probably should have stated originally that I need to take CC earn into account (which is another strike against AA I think) - this is where'd I'd likely be getting most points earn from. QFF obviously strong here but the higher redemptions and fines puts me right off, happy to earn on Amex though so Asia Miles is on my radar.

 

[RichardMEL]

I probably should have stated originally that I need to take CC earn into account (which is another strike against AA I think) - this is where'd I'd likely be getting most points earn from. QFF obviously strong here but the higher redemptions and fines puts me right off, happy to earn on Amex though so Asia Miles is on my radar.

I know a guy who has like a SPG earning CC and then converts to AA or whichever program (sometimes AA, for example, have bonus offers like exchange 5k points and get a bonus 20% etc). All a bit convoluted if you ask me, but it works for some

if your main CC would be in oz, you may need to look at Amex Membership Rerwards, though given AA's SYD service they *may* have an oz earning CC available - I am not certain

 

[bismarck]

I know a guy who has like a SPG earning CC and then converts to AA or whichever program (sometimes AA, for example, have bonus offers like exchange 5k points and get a bonus 20% etc). All a bit convoluted if you ask me, but it works for some

if your main CC would be in oz, you may need to look at Amex Membership Rerwards, though given AA's SYD service they *may* have an oz earning CC available - I am not certain

Your best bet would be Amex Explorer washed through SPG for an effective 1.25 miles/$. Higher during promos.

 

[wrldtrvllr]

The burn rates are still better on AA, particularly on the +++ side, but not as good as they once were.

Unfortunately their earn rates are now based on $ spend domestically in USA so significantly more difficult to make use of their cheaper burn rates...

 

[RichardMEL]

most AA mileage burners get their miles from CC's transfer bonuses and the like rather than actually flying AA

It's weird that AA also counts EQD for non-US citizens. UA does not thus one can get status and thus mileage multipliers on paid fares without the usual EQD/PQD requirements.

 

[wandering_fred]

If you have status already, crediting long haul PEY/Y+ to AA still seems to be the best way to earn RDM in that program. Helps a bit if the status with AA but not critical. And the EQD earn on those fare classes can be quite acceptable. With relatives now in Alice Springs the AA award price for within Australia is "useful". With lounge access and soft landing, QFF for the moment will seem the better deal for me.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[serfty]

...

serfty, where does HNL fit in your figures?

It doesn't!

HNL can often be a tough place to get any decent awards to.