Moving to Sydney from Paris this summer and frequent flyer questions :)

[jjnenes]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here and likely not the last, as we are moving to SYD this summer for at least 4 years and probably more if we adopt the pattern of just never wanting to move back to Europe or the US

My partner and I are frequent flyers from Europe to Europe, the US and Canada, and maintain status on Air France-KLM as well as Air Canada. I'm currently looking at the options available to us when we will be based in SYD though, ad we are likely to have to change main FFP and maybe alliances.

Here's our likely pattern:
- 2-3 flights SYD-PAR to visit family in France
- 2-3 flights SYD- USA (mix of LAX, SFO, ATL, NYC, etc)
- some domestic flights in AU, but mainly vacation/week-ends
- maybe 1 trip in Asia, but not likely (unless I have business needs there but not likely to happen at the start)

- one thing to take into account would be heavy spending on CC (currently using AF-KL Amex)

So far, from what I could research in terms of routes only (not taking into account the mileage earning/redemption ratio of the FFPs), our options seem to be:

- Quantas or AA and OW (Quantas/AA/BA)
- United Airlines and Star (United for USA, Thai, SIngapore, Asiana, AIr China for Europe, Emirates for UA miles as well)
- Emirates for Europe and credit to Emirates for travel to US on United and Continental

I will have a look at the individual FFP but I wanted to make sure I had not missed any big option yet

Many thanks for your kind assistance. SO looking forward to moving here!

jjnenes

 

[Leumas]

Welcome to AFF!

Others will jump in with their more in-depth knowledge, but I'll throw in a couple more options for you to consider.

I think someone will suggest AA, especially if you fly to the US regularly. However, flying domestic within Australia, QF maybe better.

QF and AF code-share a flight from SYD. I'm not 100% that it's still going on, worth checking though.

Also note that Delta flies SYD-LAX now. From LAX to CDG or through Asia through Korean Air, may mean staying with SkyTeam is an option.

Another factor to consider is the travel class. Is it mainly the pointy end or cattle class?

P.S. Just quietly, there's no 'u' in Qantas.

 

[markis10]

I would suggest AA as well, at least sign up for QF while your overseas to get it for free, there is free entry locally but it will probably get withdrawn at any moment.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Bienvenue abord JJ!

Oz

 

[drron]

Welcome to AFF.
As was said before it depends on the class you are travelling.If it were in J then either QF or AA should get you to top status with that flying.Whilst I credit to AA we do travel a lot in the States and use RTW fares so can easily work in AA for some of the longhaul routes for upgrades.Your pattern doesn't suggest such an advantage.
At present I would think sticking to Skyteam is best for the start as you do have Delta on the US routes and has been said there was an AF codeshare with QF and i think it is still going.
On top of that our "new world airline" Virgin Blue has been talking about a closer relationship with Delta but no definite details as yet.
The best program for CC spend though in australia is definitely QF though they basically lock you in.QF also has a program with our largest supermarket chain so you can double dip buying your groceries.
Also if you want upgrades then QF will be the best program.If you want premium cabin awards then AA tends to be better if you switch to OW.
No easy answer.

 

[HardieBoys]

If you wanted to go with oneworld:

SYD - CDG using Cathay (the connections in HKG are good)
SYD - LAX/SFO/NY using QF, with AA connections at these ports
Domestic flights on QF

If you fly business, you'll definitely get top tier status (Platinum) for Qantas. I'd agree you should join up whilst overseas as it's free. Platinum allows you access to the First lounges in Sydney and Hong Kong, which are excellent.

If you wanted to go with star:

SYD - CDG using Singapore
SYD - LAX/SFO using UA, connecting at these ports
Domestic flights on Virgin or QF won't earn points

 

[markis10]

You can always go SYD-CDG with QF and AF using the codeshare.

 

[medhead]

What about going with Virgin blue and velocity, good for domestic, flights to the US with V australia or Delta and also to europe with emirates or Virgin atlantic?

 

[dajop]

The best program for CC spend though in australia is definitely QF though they basically lock you in..

Sorry to throw a spanner in the works, this is extremely debatable. It really depends on what CC spend and what one wants to use those points for. Often cards that don't lock you on can be as good (eg American Express), or alternatively cards linked directly to Singapore Airlines or Emirates (with 1.5 pts/$) can be better than comparable cards linked to QF (with same earn rate of 1.5pts/$).

If, for example travel to North America it will using QF pts it will be 48/96/144K pts in Y/J/F one way to west coast and 64/128/192 to east coast US, using Singapore Airlines Krisflyer on star alliance (UA, AC or NZ) it would be 40K/70K/100K to either coast.

Likewise to Europe - 64/128/192 on QF to LHR or FRA (more for elsewhere in Europe) or using Singapore aAirlines it would be 50/75/115 using star alliance through SQ's program. (less if travelling SQ booked online).

Obviously if wanting to use for domestic travel a QF linked card is good, but then so is a card such as Amex that has partners including Virgin Blue (for domestic travel) /V Australia, Virgin Atlantic, Thai, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines and Malaysian.

 

[dajop]

You can always go SYD-CDG with QF and AF using the codeshare.

Using QF or AF code as appropriate to your FF program - with the warning that the codeshares would only earn poitns and status in own programs (certainly the QF code on AF points will not earn anything in the AA program, and I assume the same for AF if AF code were used on QF flights, then could only earn points on AF not other skyteam partners).

 

[drron]

Sorry to throw a spanner in the works, this is extremely debatable. It really depends on what CC spend and what one wants to use those points for. Often cards that don't lock you on can be as good (eg American Express), or alternatively cards linked directly to Singapore Airlines or Emirates (with 1.5 pts/$) can be better than comparable cards linked to QF (with same earn rate of 1.5pts/$).

Yes but for example with Amex to transfer to Aadvantage you have to transfer via SPG at 3 points to 1 SPG point.DC is better where the rate is 2:1.However neither as good as many QFF earning cards where it is 1:1 so QFF is certainly the best program for Aussie CCs in general.

 

[dajop]

QFF is certainly the best program for Aussie CCs in general.

I would argue it is far from certain - but each to their own I guess. Bearing in mind QF is no longer the only airline in Australia that has extensive domestic coverage, and it from many cities other airlines provide as good or better service to destinations outside Australia. Personally I would argue cards that go directly to QF are largely inferior programs for Aussie CC's - they have the population hoodwinked - and mainly because of poor burn rates and/or availability.

Also the Amex->SPG->AA is not the only way of getting a QF flight from Amex MR. Asia Miles is much better alternative - 4:3, and brings it close to the mark for many QF fares (eg MEL-PER return via Asia Miles will take 40K MR points in Y or 66.7K in J - the comparable numbers are 36 and 72 for QFF. SYD-HKG return MR/Asia miles 60K Y/106.7K J vs QFF 60K/120K).

But Amex has the advantage of 1:1 transfers to VS, DJ, SQ (where SYD-HKG may be as little as 47K Y/76.5K), and 4:3 to MH, TG & CX. As well as 100:1 to NZ. It keeps the options open, as we all know award availability on QF can be tight at times, particularly for international travel. Also if you just want to use your points for part of holiday package 100,000 MR pts gets you $1000 for use at several travel agents. For QFF 135,000 pts gets you $1000 for use at QF holidays ...)

Despite this, one area I do see an advantage of QFF cards - is if they are being used to top up considerable earning from flying and/or other means, ie. if they are a part of the whole mix for QF earning. But if CC earning is providing the majority of the points - I would certainly consider Amex or Altitude Rewards through Westpac.