QFF Affiliated Credit Cards in the U.S

Status
Not open for further replies.

Chris_Leo

Intern
Joined
Mar 5, 2007
Posts
88
Hi everyone

I was just wondering if anyone knew of any QFF affiliated credit cards that are available to U.S. residents. I've been looking around to no avail.

The closest thing I have found is my U.S. Corporate AMEX with Membership Awards which allows for the cardholder to surrender Membership Award points for a Qantas return trip from N.A. to Australia. This is ok, but I'd prefer a rewards program that allows for points transfer to the QFF program.

Failing the above, do you think AMEX would allow a U.S. resident to apply for an Australian credit card?

Thanks in advance
Chris
 
I am not sure there are any, but one option you may have is to launder them through a hotel chain scheme. For example

Amex -> Starwood Preferred Guest -> Qantas Frequent Flyer

I think both of these are 1:1 transfers, with a 5000 point bonus from Starwood if you transfer 20,000 points.

Now someone here will probably poke some hole in this scheme, or more likely question why you even want to transfer them to QFF :)
 
Last edited:
oz_mark said:
Now someone here will... Likely question why you even want to transfer them to QFF :)

I dunno much about QFF, but I've read a lot of posts on this board, and I personally wouldn't bother.

But there will be some sage advice from the OW experts, I'm sure!;)
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Thanks for the responses.

I'm sensing an underlying distaste for the QFF program. Can anyone give me some more guidance on this? Would I be better off with another airline rewards scheme?

I am a QF Platinum member and I have always been hesitant to transfer to another airline rewards scheme due to the hassle of starting from scratch.

Can anyone give me some guidance on what would potentially work best for me based on the following profile (i.e. as a better alternative to the QFF program):

* currently living on West Coast of the U.S.
* approx 3 return economy flights to Australia a year (using Qantas)
* approx 1 to 2 U.S. domestic economy/business flights per month (using AA)
* approx 3 return economy trips to London/Europe a year (using BA world traveller +)
* approx 1 to 2 return economy trips to Asia a year (using Cathay Pacific)

Thanks in advance
Chris
 
Thanks for the tip on the SPG program. I was not aware of this program. The AMEX option looks attractive. i checked to see what the conversion rate was from my regular AMEX Membership Rewards Program to the SPG program was - it is a shocker!!! You have to transfer 1000 AMEX points for 333 SPG points. So it looks like a SPG Amex is the better option.

Chris
 
And to me, personally.. it'd be a no brainer....... go for the AAdvantage scheme...
 
Flashware said:
And to me, personally.. it'd be a no brainer....... go for the AAdvantage scheme...

Generally, yes. But QFF Platinum status will give you lounge access on your US AA domestic flights, which the AA programme won't (except for a couple of exceptions).

You can purchase access to the AA lounges if you are an AA member (I'm sure that someone here knows the cost). It is likely that that cost is less than the value of the extra points/ better redemption rates that AA will give you.
 
adrian said:
Generally, yes. But QFF Platinum status will give you lounge access on your US AA domestic flights, which the AA programme won't (except for a couple of exceptions).

You can purchase access to the AA lounges if you are an AA member (I'm sure that someone here knows the cost). It is likely that that cost is less than the value of the extra points/ better redemption rates that AA will give you.

Oh yes, for sure.. but for a c/c to earn and burn on, I'd probably try and get an AA one due to the better redemption rates - and keep your paid for travel going to QF to keep status ticking over :)
 
Thanks all for these valuable tips.

I've been researching on the AA.com site about the AAdvantage program, and i have a couple of questions:

(i) the miles needed to redeem business/first class seats are much lower than that of the QFF program, but does this mean that you can only redeem business/first class seats on AA flights? (i.e. I cannot redeem the AA points for a Qantas/British Airways/Cathay Pacific flight?)

(ii) If the above is true, can anyone shed some light on what long-haul business/first class flights are like on AA.

(iii) In connection with the AA challenge, I see it only takes you up to Platinum status, which is like QFF Gold status. This would in effect be a downgrade in OneWorld status for me and no more double mileage and access to first class lounges of oneworld airlines, unless on a first class fare. Or have I misinterpreted the information.

Thanks in advance for any help you guys can offer.

Chris
 
AA Platinum is mostly equivalent to QF Gold. However, AA platinum does give you double points (just like QF Platinum)

When does your QF Platinum expire? If it still has 6 - 12 months left, that is probably enough time to reach AA Executive Platinum (equivalent QF Platinum), and in the meantime, you will still earn double points as AA Platinum (after having completed a Platinum challenge). And you will still be able to access the AA domestic lounges in that time.

As an example, I became AA Platinum in July 2006, and AA Exec Platinum in Dec 2006. However my QF Platinum status lasts until 31 Dec 2007 (as I qualified early in 2006). I haven't put any flights on my QF account since July 06, but I am still able to make use of my QF Platinum benefits in that time. So for now, I have the best of both worlds..

AA points can be redeemed on QF/BA/CX flights. I think that you need to looks at the Partner award chart. I think it is 160k points SYD-Europe in first.....much less than QF redemption rates.....
 
I have lived in the US for 7 years. I have the SPG Amex, Citi AAdvantage MC and some others (for sign up bonuses).

SPG Amex has great flexibility as to where you can transfer them (or use for hotel). Citi AAdv MC for those places which don't accept Amex (and for the sign up bonus).

For the first couple of years after moving I kept accruing to QFF - I sort of regret that but it was mainly due to being QFF WP and not knowing how long I would be living in the US. Once you're here for a while AAdv is a no brainer - much better earn rates (eg 100% bonus for PLT and EXP, and lots of promo bonuses) and much better burn rates - yes the J/F award rates are for AA, partner and OW awards - these are sometimes less than 50% of the QFF points requirements. I have been EXP for 2-3 years now and am better treated by AA than I was as a WP by QF. I have also managed to maintain my WP so access to LAX FL and other US ACs when flying domestically. But even if you can't do that, you would still be better off paying for AC and acrruing to AAdv than accruing to QFF.
 
When comparing earn/burn rates and other benefits of QF and AA programs, keep in mind that AA does not charge fuel surcharges on FF award flights. So it is very easy to save more than they cost of a Qantas Club membership which will provide lounge access in the USA for AA flights - especially if admin's kind off to arrange an AFF Corporate Membership is successful.
 
Alect

Thanks for that. Your situation sounds very much like mine, except I've only been here for 2 years. At this stage, all roads are pointing to the AA Plat Challenge.

Does anyone know the answers to the following:

(i) I see that there are warnings on the AA.com website suggesting that BA flights between UK and US result in no mileage credit. Is this true? Why is this the case? If so, this is a grave disadvantage of the AA program as I take several US-UK flights each year.

(ii) re: US-Australia QF flights, will these flights (even if on sale) contribute to the elite qualifying miles required to get Exec Plat status with AA? e.g. will a typical LAX-SYD return flight (approx 15k miles, or 30k if already a Plat member) in a discount economy seat, still contribute to the number of elite miles you need to get to exec platinum? I was confused on the AA.com site by some wording suggestsing that elite qualifying miles are only attainable by flying on AA operated flights (or code-share with AA).

Thanks
 
Chris_Leo said:
Alect

Thanks for that. Your situation sounds very much like mine, except I've only been here for 2 years. At this stage, all roads are pointing to the AA Plat Challenge.

Does anyone know the answers to the following:

(i) I see that there are warnings on the AA.com website suggesting that BA flights between UK and US result in no mileage credit. Is this true? Why is this the case? If so, this is a grave disadvantage of the AA program as I take several US-UK flights each year.


Thanks

(i) yes - no points for ba flights (BA does the same in its programme for AA flights). This is so that they don't cannibalise sales off each other. Solution is to either fly AA (end try to use your EXECPLAT eVIPs to uprgrade), or fly BA and credit the points to QF.
 
adrian said:
(i) yes - no points for ba flights (BA does the same in its programme for AA flights). This is so that they don't cannibalise sales off each other. Solution is to either fly AA (end try to use your EXECPLAT eVIPs to uprgrade), or fly BA and credit the points to QF.
Or if you really want to fly BA and earn to AA then route via MEX or somewhere in Canada.
 
Chris_Leo said:
(ii) re: US-Australia QF flights, will these flights (even if on sale) contribute to the elite qualifying miles required to get Exec Plat status with AA? e.g. will a typical LAX-SYD return flight (approx 15k miles, or 30k if already a Plat member) in a discount economy seat, still contribute to the number of elite miles you need to get to exec platinum? I was confused on the AA.com site by some wording suggestsing that elite qualifying miles are only attainable by flying on AA operated flights (or code-share with AA).
it all depends on the booking class. See the Sticky on AA PLat Challenge in the AA Forum on this site for details of what classes are eligible for earning in the AA program. And better still, try to book the AA Codeshare whenever possible to maximise the earning value.
 
Chris_Leo said:
... (ii) re: US-Australia QF flights, will these flights (even if on sale) contribute to the elite qualifying miles required to get Exec Plat status with AA? e.g. will a typical LAX-SYD return flight (approx 15k miles, or 30k if already a Plat member) in a discount economy seat, still contribute to the number of elite miles you need to get to exec platinum? I was confused on the AA.com site by some wording suggestsing that elite qualifying miles are only attainable by flying on AA operated flights (or code-share with AA). ...
Since the beggining of this year, only flights booked on AA flight numbers count toward platinum challenges. So for SYD/LAX you need to flyin on an AA flight number. e.g. AA7365 SYD to LAX is a codeshare flight number for QF107.

If you do fly on the AA flight number, Elite qualifying miles toward your platinum challenge are earned a a rate dependent on the booking class as listed on the table here: Qualification Requirements.

Specifically, G/Q/N/O/S classes earn at ½ a Qpoint per mile, H/K/M/L/WV at 1 per mile and A/F/P/D/I/J/B/Y AT 1½ per mile.

GCM is showing 7488 miles for SYD-LAX so a booking on N class would earn 3744 Qmiles one way and 7488 for the return.
 
Last edited:
I've never tried this - cause i know it is wrong, but I'm just wondering, what happens when someone double dips and claims points at both ends. e.g. claims points with Qantas and AA for the same flight?

Does one airline have precedence over the other? Do you get penalized and they take away all your points?

Just wondering....
 
They have ways to check this - I would assume if you tried once they wouldnt do much other than taking away the points for the flight. if this was repeated they have the option of cancelling your FF accounts....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Enhance your AFF viewing experience!!

From just $6 we'll remove all advertisements so that you can enjoy a cleaner and uninterupted viewing experience.

And you'll be supporting us so that we can continue to provide this valuable resource :)


Sample AFF with no advertisements? More..
Back
Top