Options after retaining WP?

[GCC]

I have been QFF WP for 3 years now, and 2013 will make 4. Each year I requalify close to the anniversary date, my highest SC earn has been about 1290. All from flying that I need to do for work and pleasure – mainly domestic Y – and I haven’t had to “chase” SC’s. This year, thanks to an early DSC offer, my summary at the end of May will be:

• Re qualification date: 31 October 2013
• SC’s earned:1100
• SC’s need for requal: 100
• Total lifetime SC’s: (you have attained LTS) 8820
• SC’s for next loyalty bonus: 405

Between now and 31 October:

• will another earn 200 – 300 SC’s on routine domestic flights.
• have booked SYD – SING – LHR – GLA return on BA Y+ in June / July, ( about 180 SC’s)
• and am also considering a flight SYD – LAX return (possibly SYD – LAX – LHR –SYD) in J in early October – haven’t chosen a carrier as will be paid for by client.

So I’ll earn far more SC’s than I need to retain WP, but nowhere near enough to hit 2400 SC’s and get those benefits. I have made my decision that QF is my domestic carrier of choice, so don't want to fly VA domestic.

Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on possible strategies for switching to another FF program for the rest of the year. Or should I just keep crediting to QFF and accruing points and SC’s for LTG?

 

[Hvr]

I'm aiming for LTG and have just hit 2,400 SCs for the year on the way to about 3,000 (sweet DSC offer and some internal USA trips).

Once I hit LTG then it may be worth considering crediting to AA but that is a couple of years away.

I realise this doesn't answer your question but hopefully another perspective for you to consider.

 

[Mwenenzi]

For flights after 16 June until 31 Dec? consider the AA plat challenge. Challenge (AA) - FlyerGuide Wiki. Especially if the USA trip is on QF
Better earn to burn are & far less surcharges on awards flights (including on QF)

 

[RooFlyer]

I was in same position last year and chose to fly Star Alliance for international once I had re-qualified for WP. I couldn't see the merit/benefits in going for WP1, and the routes I wanted were well served by *A. Also fortunately all my trips were in J, so I had lounge access without initial status.

So now I am 1W Plat and on the top level in Air Canada's FF program, so can choose my international flights based more on price and convenience and less on 'loyalty'.

But of course you'll have to calculate first if your flying will achieve a worthwhile status level on *A. BUT I think if you join Agean's FF program, and credit your trips to it, you can reach 'Gold' on *A pretty easily !!

 

[GCC]

For flights after 16 June until 31 Dec? consider the AA plat challenge.

As WP / OW Emerald I have higher status than AA platinum, so could join the AA program and credit to them (and buy miles to redeem etc) without needing to chase elite status. Is there any real benefit to having AA status as well?

 

[Hvr]

I can't see any benefit to having both AA and QF status. I've been recognised as a top tier flyer on AA with no problems accessing lounges etc as a QF WP.

I buy AA miles and have the occasional credit to AA when the organisation doesn't allow credit to QF.

 

[Mwenenzi]

As WP / OW Emerald I have higher status than AA platinum, so could join the AA program and credit to them (and buy miles to redeem etc) without needing to chase elite status. Is there any real benefit to having AA status as well?

Bonus miles (like on QF for status) & SWU (for AA flights)

The big different in miles/points for awards
LAX-SYD one way
Economy QF 48,000 - AA 37,500
P Ecxx_x QF 72,000 - AA n.a
Bus xx_x QF 96,000 - AA 62,500
First xx_ QF 144,000 - AA 72,500
Plus a lot of $$$ in fees / surcharges to QF

QF upgrades with points LAX-SYD
45,000 Discount economy to Prem Eco
18,000 Economy to PE
72,000 Discount economy to business (more than an AA bus award)
45,000 Economy to business
45,000 Prem Economy to business
45,000 Business to First
AA miles cannot upgrade QF flights

What do you use your QF points for ?

 

[GCC]

What do you use your QF points for ?

Generally for upgrades on LH flights - very occasionally for upgrades on longer domestic flights. I did just burn about 170 points on flights from UK - USA - Canada - in F and J cabins on BA, but that was to meet a particular and unusual need.

 

[Mwenenzi]

An AA full award (miles) can be less than a QF upgrade (points). But they are not 1:1 on earn

Your UK - USA - Canada F/J award with AA miles would have taken less QF flights (earning AA miles) than the QF flights earning QF points (can depend on bonus)

 

[lovestotravel]

just keep crediting to QFF and accruing points and SC’s for LTG?

Do this

 

[GCC]

Thanks for the replies. I guess answers are pretty much as I thought. I was really thinking of status on Star Alliance and it is tempting to go for it this year, but as I don't generally do that much OS travel it will probably be hard to retain.

The AA redemption rates are great, but for me they are most useful for family leisure travel - and that means getting 3 seats together plus an infant on straightforward routings. Will give it a go though if the right opportunity comes up, but I think best to buy miles for specific purpose.

Generally when I travel OS my work is paying for a Y+ seat on QF and I upgrade using points.

I am now having a think about using the DSC offer to try and go for partner gold for Mrs GCC - will be very handy for her traveling with the children and without me.