Moving across to BA- what's the best way to do it?

[Berlin]

Hi everyone, I happen to have just moved to the UK a few weeks ago after almost ten years in sunny Sydney (yes, it was work and definitely not passion that made me do the move!) and am seriously considering moving from QF over to BA- with the latest QF changes even more so! Most credit cards etc. all give you BA Avios points over here (makes sense) so my ability to earn QF points will be quite limited as well besides the good old flying- no Woolies here (which is rather a good thing in my eyes given how rotten the veggies from those self-declared "fresh" food people usually are ).

Anyway- now how do I do this the best way I am wondering if I want to avoid NOT getting any status benefits at all for half a year or so until I get up the ladder again with BA? Is it worth writing a nice long letter to BA explaining my situation and ask friendly for a status match? If so, does anyone know the best contact to try this? I am assuming I can't just start booking all OW flights under a new BA membership number but than flash my Platinum QF card at the lounges to get in? I would think this doesn't work but if someone has experiences otherwise, please let me know. Any other ideas maybe for the best way to accomplish that?

Just a few details on my situation, I'm QF Platinum and am very well on the way to survive the next re-assessment (which is end of Jan next year) easily and for the 5th year now. I've just reached lifetime silver with QF and am more than happy to stop it at this point, once QF has left OW in a year or two (just sayin, the writing is on the wall...), it probably will be rather worthless anyway. I travel lots for personal use and usually only in J or F, almost all either paid fully on OW carriers or USAirways redemption which now also will be OW. Now that I am based in Europe, there will be countless BA inner-European trips from LHR over the weekends and my employer seems so far also quite happy to let me fly BA for business though that's going to be mostly Why within Europe.

Any help/advice will be appreciated!

 

[Princess Fiona]

I don't think it will be a problem to use your QFF card to access the lounges and credit to BA.
I would book the flights using your QFF number as that will give you access to seating etc. Swap it over at the Lounge or check-in.
In regards to status matching I have no idea if they would do it or not, however I would definitely give it a go as the worst thing that can happen is that they say "no"
Good luck

 

[Berlin]

I don't think it will be a problem to use your QFF card to access the lounges and credit to BA.
Good luck

Thanks a lot! If that really works without issues, then I might not even have to ask them for a match- as long as I get into the lounges and access preferred seating, I am more than happy to just play this double game for a year until I have regained my OW Emerald status again with BA. Cheers!

 

[marki]

Thanks a lot! If that really works without issues, then I might not even have to ask them for a match- as long as I get into the lounges and access preferred seating, I am more than happy to just play this double game for a year until I have regained my OW Emerald status again with BA. Cheers!

What about miles and more program with Lufthansa?

 

[Berlin]

What about miles and more program with Lufthansa?

Yes- I've thought about that as well. But as a German-born, LH is pretty much a no go for me. I've actually been quite happy with OW as an alliance, especially their connections within the US are good in my eyes. All I really want to do is move across to BA so that I can earn extra points here and there and ideally use points for upgrades on BA. As long as I can really use my QF membership to access the OW Emerald benefits (most importantly, that pretty awesome Flounge in Heathrow T5 ), I'm quite happy to clock up enough miles with BA within the year to qualify for higher tier status with them.

 

[marki]

Why no go?

 

[amaroo]

I can't just start booking all OW flights under a new BA membership number but than flash my Platinum QF card at the lounges to get in? I would think this doesn't work but if someone has experiences otherwise, please let me know.

I'm working on the theory you can do exactly that. Book under BA and access lounge via QF plat. However, as per PF I'd be booking and checking-in under QFF so you get the benefits of status for seating, luggage, PB, etc and then change the details over in the lounge to capture the status in your BA account.

It's very likely I'll be doing the same thing very shortly (AUS based). I've just completed my year and have plat until March 2015......I'm thinking LTG is good enough and it's now time to move on.

 

[Happy Trails]

I'm working on the theory you can do exactly that. Book under BA and access lounge via QF plat. However, as per PF I'd be booking and checking-in under QFF so you get the benefits of status for seating, luggage, PB, etc and then change the details over in the lounge to capture the status in your BA account.

It's very likely I'll be doing the same thing very shortly (AUS based). I've just completed my year and have plat until March 2015......I'm thinking LTG is good enough and it's now time to move on.

But how long before they close that avenue, as has seemingly happened already with EK?

 

[amaroo]

But how long before they close that avenue, as has seemingly happened already with EK?

Please explain. I've never set foot on an EK flight and have no knowledge of any change.....AFAIK as long as QF remain with OW the plan is good.

 

[Happy Trails]

Please explain. I've never set foot on an EK flight and have no knowledge of any change.....AFAIK as long as QF remain with OW the plan is good.

Remember this thread?
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....r-program/ek-gold-denied-access-qf-55722.html

Supposedly that was precipitated by payment issues, but I reckon they could use the same device to exclude QFFs using the QF lounges if crediting to another OW program.
Hopefully I'm wrong though.

 

[Berlin]

I'm working on the theory you can do exactly that. Book under BA and access lounge via QF plat. However, as per PF I'd be booking and checking-in under QFF so you get the benefits of status for seating, luggage, PB, etc and then change the details over in the lounge to capture the status in your BA account.

Hah- now this really helps with my fears, never thought of it! Of course, you can probably change the FF details on your booking once you already are in the lounge! Or really- can you, if you've checked in already even? I would have no idea!

 

[footy99]

On my last flight back from LHR to SYD, I credited to MH where I had no status. I didn't have my WP card either - it was in Australia, but I was WP.

Still, no issues using first class check in. Flounge said no entry without the WP card. Luckily was flying business so went and printed my activity statement in the J lounge, then came back down to the Flounge with it and was allowed in.

So you should be fine crediting to BA from the outset (provided you have the WP card to show the lounge dragons), although there is no harm in taking the precaution to credit to QFF first then change at the lounge just in case.

 

[amaroo]

Remember this thread?
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....r-program/ek-gold-denied-access-qf-55722.html

Supposedly that was precipitated by payment issues, but I reckon they could use the same device to exclude QFFs using the QF lounges if crediting to another OW program.
Hopefully I'm wrong though.

Just as well I haven't wasted time building status with EK! Until it occurs within the OW network I'm happy to proceed. If it does occur - QF and OW would be cactus and the exodus of QF status flyers will be immense!

If I end up deciding to jump over to BA - I've got 11 months to accrue OWE on BA whilst still accessing the benefits of QF plat. Given the easy earn rate - easy peasy.

 

[Berlin]

although there is no harm in taking the precaution to credit to QFF first then change at the lounge just in case.

Just signed up for the BA scheme and have a flight coming up tomorrow. I realize that I can't change the FF membership once the QF number is in there- does this mean "change the number at the lounge" equals walking up to the desk and asking them to do so? Likewise, how will it work when I'm in the US next week on AA-I'll ask the lounge dragons to change it for me?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Just signed up for the BA scheme and have a flight coming up tomorrow. I realize that I can't change the FF membership once the QF number is in there- does this mean "change the number at the lounge" equals walking up to the desk and asking them to do so? Likewise, how will it work when I'm in the US next week on AA-I'll ask the lounge dragons to change it for me?

I've never done it myself but from prior reading I assume that's exactly what you do.
Good Luck

 

[footy99]

Just signed up for the BA scheme and have a flight coming up tomorrow. I realize that I can't change the FF membership once the QF number is in there- does this mean "change the number at the lounge" equals walking up to the desk and asking them to do so? Likewise, how will it work when I'm in the US next week on AA-I'll ask the lounge dragons to change it for me?

Tbh, I haven't done this - only read about it here - so I'll let some of the others who have commented here answer that.

But I have credited to an airline with which I had no status when flying BA and still been allowed into the Flounge on the back of QF WP status. So in my experience, you will be safe doing that.

But just in case your mileage varies, if I were you, I would credit to QF initially and then ask at the lounge to change to BA.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Just signed up for the BA scheme and have a flight coming up tomorrow. I realize that I can't change the FF membership once the QF number is in there-

You can change ff numbers in a reservation. Go to the Finn Air manage my booking and change you ff number for the BA flight. From FT this works.

 

[Berlin]

Why no go?

Just far too much old trauma that I'd rather leave behind