Qantas FF Platinum, just moved to NYC - should I keep Qantas as primary or use AA?

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jamesh

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I’m currently a Qantas FF platinum and have just moved to NYC for work (will be here 3+ years). I’ll be doing a reasonable amount of flying in the USA and some international trips (1 to AU every year) – enough to keep a minimum of Gold Qantas.

Plan to be flying Oneworld and want to work out if it is worthwhile to keep using Qantas as FF primary or to use AA Advantage as my primary FF program?


So far on all the AA flights / lounges I’ve been on and in, I’ve realized that being a Qantas FF Platinum doesn’t mean much to AA…

Any tips or advice would be great!!

Thanks
 
Re: Qantas FF Platinum, just moved to NYC - should I keep Qantas as primary or use AA

I would switch to AA, as an Exec Platinum you'd get some free upgrades and the earn/burn rates are a lot better than QFF.

You can do the Platinum challenge to kick you off.

Don't forget you need 4~~ on Qantas to earn/keep status, which 1 trip to AU may not be enough for depending on your itinerary.
 
Re: Qantas FF Platinum, just moved to NYC - should I keep Qantas as primary or use AA

Bear in mind that status with AA and which cabin you fly in on AA does not get you AC lounge access (except at certain ports on international itineraries and IIRC full paid F transcon). You need to be a paid up member of the AC to get the access. QF Gold/Plat however will get you access on any itinerary.
 
Re: Qantas FF Platinum, just moved to NYC - should I keep Qantas as primary or use AA

I would switch to AA, as an Exec Platinum you'd get some free upgrades and the earn/burn rates are a lot better than QFF.

You can do the Platinum challenge to kick you off.

Don't forget you need 4~~ on Qantas to earn/keep status, which 1 trip to AU may not be enough for depending on your itinerary.

Thanks opusman, platinum challenge looks like it may be the way to go
 
Re: Qantas FF Platinum, just moved to NYC - should I keep Qantas as primary or use AA

Bear in mind that status with AA and which cabin you fly in on AA does not get you AC lounge access (except at certain ports on international itineraries and IIRC full paid F transcon). You need to be a paid up member of the AC to get the access. QF Gold/Plat however will get you access on any itinerary.

Thanks tuapekastar, definitely something to keep in mind. Will need to weigh up pros and cons...
 
Re: Qantas FF Platinum, just moved to NYC - should I keep Qantas as primary or use AA

If you're doing JFK-LAX-Australia on Qantas, just make sure you don't do QF108/18 and break it up. That'll give you the four Qantas segments required.

Then, do some runs throughout the year (YUPP/KUPP fares) around the USA, and get Qantas Platinum. Of course, if you do it quickly after your membership year rolls over, you'll end up with at least 2 years of Platinum, and then it'll fall to gold.

One lot of crazy runs on American Airlines, and you'll have lounge access for at least 3 years. That may end up being cheaper than buying Qantas Club for 3 years, and also get you into the Flagship Lounges in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York (not to mention any Oneworld First Class lounge if you decide to fly another airline) for the two years you're Platinum.

Then, get the American Platinum challenge, and use your Qantas status for lounge access.

Many options to consider.
 
Re: Qantas FF Platinum, just moved to NYC - should I keep Qantas as primary or use AA

Go with AA.
 
Re: Qantas FF Platinum, just moved to NYC - should I keep Qantas as primary or use AA

Go with AA.
No lounge access on domestic itineraries, even if Executive Platinum. You'd still need an Admirals Club or preferably a Qantas Club membership.
 
Re: Qantas FF Platinum, just moved to NYC - should I keep Qantas as primary or use AA

Switch + Admirals Club membership. The 500 mile upgrades, and double miles for platinum is enough, let alone free upgrades and 8 SWUs for Exp. Plus get an AA earning credit card with a healthy signorn bonus - Citi executive includes admirals club.
 
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Re: Qantas FF Platinum, just moved to NYC - should I keep Qantas as primary or use AA

....Don't forget you need 4~~ on Qantas to earn/keep status, which 1 trip to AU may not be enough for depending on your itinerary.......

As per opusman - keep that in mind! I am based overseas (Sth america) and even though I do a couple of trips back to Aus each year, it can be hard to meet that. LAN now codeshares all sorts of domestic Qantas flights, so it is MUCH more expensive to book them as QF qualifying flights. I suspect American is the same - the cost of your flights as AA codeshares (QF metal) starting from the USA will mean that the only sensible way for you to do QF qualifying flights is to do some domestic laps when you visit.

In any case, noone seems to have mentioned LTG? Is that important to you? Keeps me faithful :)
 
Re: Qantas FF Platinum, just moved to NYC - should I keep Qantas as primary or use AA

jamesh, just noticed your post count - welcome!! In my last post I mentioned LTG - ¨Life Time Gold¨ - which is earnt after 14000? SC are earnt in the QFF program. This could be an important consideration for you?
 
Re: Qantas FF Platinum, just moved to NYC - should I keep Qantas as primary or use AA

If you're doing JFK-LAX-Australia on Qantas, just make sure you don't do QF108/18 and break it up. That'll give you the four Qantas segments required.

Then, do some runs throughout the year (YUPP/KUPP fares) around the USA, and get Qantas Platinum. Of course, if you do it quickly after your membership year rolls over, you'll end up with at least 2 years of Platinum, and then it'll fall to gold.

One lot of crazy runs on American Airlines, and you'll have lounge access for at least 3 years. That may end up being cheaper than buying Qantas Club for 3 years, and also get you into the Flagship Lounges in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York (not to mention any Oneworld First Class lounge if you decide to fly another airline) for the two years you're Platinum.

Then, get the American Platinum challenge, and use your Qantas status for lounge access.

Many options to consider.

^^^

This seems like sound advice.

Even if you can't maintain QF status, the soft landing will get you into the AC for at least 2 years and the AA miles are worth so much more than QF ones.

I've even thought about switching all my Australian flying to AA (since I most travel for work and could expense a coffee/muffin....the value of a lounge is pretty questionable).
 
Re: Qantas FF Platinum, just moved to NYC - should I keep Qantas as primary or use AA

Switch + Admirals Club membership. The 500 mile upgrades, and double miles for platinum is enough, let alone free upgrades and 8 SWUs for Exp. Plus get an AA earning credit card with a healthy signorn bonus - Citi executive includes admirals club.
A Corporate Qantas Club membership would actually bode better, as you get complimentary premium drinks (Admirals Club do not).

On the other hand, you can access the Admirals Club if travelling different airlines (you just need to be airside).

I know i'd prefer the beverage option.
 
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