QFF or AAFF?

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rosesplus

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Can anybody offer some suggestions on the following? I started flying SYD/IAD regularly last yr (every 2 months) in Econ. I'm a QC member and a silver QFF. If I continue with Q I will be Gold by Oct.
Should I ditch QFF and go to AAFF via the Platinum challenge? Will I be able to maintain Platinum AA with 5 econ flights per yr to IAD? I've been booking 71A or 71K on the Syd- LA leg, does anybody have any other seating preferences in econ?
I just bought a set of Bose QC II headphones for the flights and find them absolutely fantastic in reducing the effects of jet lag!!
 
rosesplus said:
Can anybody offer some suggestions on the following? I started flying SYD/IAD regularly last yr (every 2 months) in Econ. I'm a QC member and a silver QFF. If I continue with Q I will be Gold by Oct.
Should I ditch QFF and go to AAFF via the Platinum challenge?

You are at the crossroads, in my opinion. Being Silver, you are now getting 25% bonus on your flights and some think it's hard to give up - but not when you are going to get 100% mileage bonus over on AA Plat. But whether you change may depend on the fare class that you are flying.
I'm sure you have already read all about the AA Plat (Lack of) Challenge, so I won't put the link here - othewise, go to the ULTIMATE Qantas Guide.

Will I be able to maintain Platinum AA with 5 econ flights per yr to IAD?

Back to the fare classes - looking at the QF Table, are you regularly flying G, N/O, Q or S - it will simply take you longer (perhaps on the return leg of your first trip) before you qualify. If you are on M, V, L or above (H,K, B or Y) - you'll get it on the outbound leg of the first flight.

Now, having assessed that first, the next thing is when to start the Challenge. If you start the Challenge before 1 July 2005 (assuming you will have at least 1 if not 2 flights before then) you'll only get Plat until 28 February 2006.

Sure you'll get Plat on the first return flight and for the rest of 2005 (together with 100% mileage bonus on all those flights in 2005); but then you may drop back to Gold for 2006 (it depends on how many flights you have taken, in what class, as well as the EQM's earned in 2005 - have you earned sufficient to re-qualify Plat for 2006).

However, if you start the Challenge after 1 July 2005, you will get Plat status until 28 February 2007. This means 100% mileage bonus for all flights in 2005 and 2006; without having to worry about the re-qualifying for 2006 - you are still Platinum. With an un-interrupted run of say 5-6 flights SYD/IAD/SYD in 2006; then you'll have a good chance of re-qualifying Platinum again (perhaps Executive Platinum, depending on the fares you buy).

That's my understanding, always ready for NM to counter my arguments and show me the flaws :wink:

It would make life easy to help you further, if we knew the answers to those questions:

1. When are next two flights likely to be?
2. What class of fare do you buy?
 
Lindsay thanks for your reply, I'm flying SYD/LA/IAD regularly in April (booked, waitlisted for an upgrade), June (booked), Aug, Oct and I've booked a Q award 1st class booking for Dec. These flts look like continuing thru next yr every 2 mths, plus a Syd- Port Vila flt every 2 months as well (usually NF but I could go QF). My next 2 flts to Vila are business award flts as I'm trying to use my Q points before May 25th.
How can I work out what class my existing US tickets are? I have the booking ref nu but I'm not smart enough to work out what class they are. I'm 90SC away from a 2nd upgrade credit and I need 460SC for GoldQF which I can do by my rollover date.
I wish I'd found this site earlier as I'd joined the QC last month!!
 
Noticed your other thread about booking class, just as I needed to head off from work - so will go and answer that separately.

rosesplus said:
I'm flying SYD/LA/IAD regularly in April (booked, waitlisted for an upgrade), June (booked), Aug, Oct

Hmm, that being the case, I would put your QF FF number in your June booking but change to your AA FF number for August and October.

How can I work out what class my existing US tickets are? I have the booking ref nu but I'm not smart enough to work out what class they are.

Depends on how you are booking them. If through a TA, then ask them (ut wil be a series of letters adn numbers, like your booking reference, but the first letter in the series is the important one).

If you book them through QF, check out the email confirmations that you are getting, as it may be shown there. As you will want to change your QF FF number to your AA FF number for August and October tickets, then ring up QF and ask them at the same time.

To check what your previous ones were - if you have kept the paper tickets, check the "fare basis" column beside the "time" and "status" of each flight.
 
One thing to bear in mind as a factor is that AA do not grant lounge admission to their Emeralds and Sapphires when flying domestically. If you wish to access AA's "lounges" you will need to either purchase Admirals Club membership, or retain your Qantas Pub membership. Both of these will cost, whereas if you get to QF Gold you will get less miles (and lets face it, most of us have more miles than we can use) but better perks.

Dave
 
rosesplus said:
I'm 90SC away from a 2nd upgrade credit and I need 460SC for GoldQF which I can do by my rollover date.

Okay, SYD/LAX is 7,491 miles and 40SC's in discount Y. LAX/IAD is ~ 2282 and 20 SC's. Thus, total one-way trip is ~9,773 miles and 60 SC's. Return trip is therefore ~ 19,546 and 120 SCs. That will mean 4 return trips to achieve Gold (excluding your next two SYD/VLI flights are award ones). That's a long time to wait...and will mean all four of your upcoming trips will get you there (April, June, August and October). Your SYD/VLI trips only tip in 20 SC's each way, and I assume May and July are award tickets. Only September will therefore count another 40 SC's to your total.

thadocta said:
One thing to bear in mind as a factor is that AA do not grant lounge admission to their Emeralds and Sapphires when flying domestically. If you wish to access AA's "lounges" you will need to either purchase Admirals Club membership, or retain your Qantas Pub membership.

Whilst this is true thadocta, at least rosesplus will have QC access in SYD (QC) and LAX (AC lounge, but will get in on their QC membership) on the outbound legs; whilst only LAX (AC) for the inbound legs. Yes, rosesplus won't get access at IAD. So a joint strategy of QF Silver/QC and AA Platinum will be the best of both worlds (to a point).
 
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Lindsay Wilson said:
Whilst this is true thadocta, at least rosesplus will have QC access in SYD (QC) and LAX (AC lounge, but will get in on their QC membership) on the outbound legs; whilst only LAX (AC) for the inbound legs. Yes, rosesplus won't get access at IAD. So a joint strategy of QF Silver/QC and AA Platinum will be the best of both worlds (to a point).
Access at IAD should not be a problem for an AA Plat member providing there is no stopover in LAX. If on a domestic AA flight that is a direct connection to a OneWorld international flight, access is granted to the Admirals Club lounge for the AA domestic sector.

Also consider if tou can purchase the AA codeshare on the SYD-LAX-SYD sectors. Depending on the fare clase purchased you might find it earns better miles in the AA program.
 
Ok that's great!!

What if I were to persist with QFF until I reach Gold (Oct)thereby suspending my QC (Feb 06), then in Nov doing the PLT AA challenge for status for 06? Will one SYD/LAX/IAD econ return AA codeshare ticket in Nov give me PLT? How many econ SYD/LAX/IAD returns will I need (on AA codeshare) in 06 to reach Elite? Can I get miles on my NF/QF to Vila flights in AA, if I use a Q ticket? The deepest discounted NF/QF ticket doesn't I think offer any points on Q.
This is a fine service you guys provide!!
 
One thing to note- (I have mentioned this in other threads)
I am flying SYD/LAX/JFK return next month. Unfortunately my SYD/LAX is a QF flight number (I could not change to AA as the TA said it is a QF ticket) where as my LAX/JFK is AA. The AA website lists the booking classes in QF that gain FF points and credits and for some reason Q is not included. I called AA sydney and they are not sure. I am going to check with US while I register for the challenge.

So if you are booking Q class, ensure that you have a AA flight number.
 
SYD-LAX is 7499 miles, and LAX0IAD is 2288 miles. So that is 9776 flown miles each way. The AA Plat Challenge requires 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles in 3 months. EQM earning rate is based on the fare class purchased as follows:

AA Flight Number:
  • A, F, P, J, D, I, Y, B all earn 1.5 EQM per flown mile
  • H, K, M, L, W, V all earn 1.0 EQM per flown mile
  • G, Q, N, O, S all earn 0.5 EQM per flown mile

QF Flight Number:
  • A, F, P, C, D, I, J, B, Y all earn 1.5 EQM per flown mile
  • H, K, M, L all earn 1.0 EQM per mile flown
  • G, O, S all earn 0.5 EQM per mile flown

Note that Q and N on QF does not earn any EQM on AAdvantage.

So the QF/AA flight number may not matter, depending on the fare paid. On a B economy fare you will complete the Plat challenge by the time you reach LAX. While on an M fare you get there on the return IAD-LAX flight. On a S fare you will not quite make it after the first complete return journey.
 
rosesplus said:
What if I were to persist with QFF until I reach Gold (Oct)thereby suspending my QC (Feb 06), then in Nov doing the PLT AA challenge for status for 06? Will one SYD/LAX/IAD econ return AA codeshare ticket in Nov give me PLT? How many econ SYD/LAX/IAD returns will I need (on AA codeshare) in 06 to reach Elite? Can I get miles on my NF/QF to Vila flights in AA, if I use a Q ticket? The deepest discounted NF/QF ticket doesn't I think offer any points on Q.
This is a fine service you guys provide!!

rosesplus, you must be careful about using the letter Q in isolation (see highlights above). My reading of your use of the letter in your previous posts make me think you are talking about QF (the airline code for Qantas), for example:

I've booked a Q award 1st class booking for Dec
and
I'm trying to use my Q points before May 25th

...whereas now in your post above I believe others (for example, both arun and NM in their subsequent replies) believe you are talking about a Q class fare.

rosesplus said:
What if I were to persist with QFF until I reach Gold (Oct)thereby suspending my QC (Feb 06), then in Nov doing the PLT AA challenge for status for 06? Will one SYD/LAX/IAD econ return AA codeshare ticket in Nov give me PLT?

Now to answer your question in the way I believe you asked it - it all depends on what class of travel you are buying. Everything hinges on that - so you need to find out what class your tickets are being purchased. We need to know to the class or travel to be able to give you a definitive answer...

NM has given you all the mileage and EQM numbers again (they can also be found in my initial post under the QF Table link).

rosesplus said:
How many econ SYD/LAX/IAD returns will I need (on AA codeshare) in 06 to reach Elite?

Refer back to my previous answer in my first post above -

Lindsay Wilson said:
With an un-interrupted run of say 5-6 flights SYD/IAD/SYD in 2006; then you'll have a good chance of re-qualifying Platinum again (perhaps Executive Platinum, depending on the fares you buy).

rosesplus said:
Can I get miles on my NF/QF to Vila flights in AA, if I use a Q ticket? The deepest discounted NF/QF ticket doesn't I think offer any points on Q.

Yes you can but it depends on the booking class (is this sounding like a broken record yet??? :roll: ). Again, NM and I gave you all the details you need once you know the fare class. It should be booked as a QF flight number though...
 
My understanding of The Plat challenge is that one needs Qpoints and that QMiles have nothing to do with the Challenge. Why is everybody talking about QMiles? Is this correct, if not the Unoffical guide to the Challenge needs updating.

Cheers,
 
That is correct - you need to accrue 5,000 Q-points for the Gold Challenge or 10,000 Q-points for the Platinum Challenge. This is the same qualifying points system used to determine elite status.

As we have mentioned above, the QF Table (as with all other partner airlines) show EQP's per mile flown. That is the calculation used towards status (commensurate with SC's in the QF FF program).

The mileage part of the table is the calculation towards miles earned (exactly the same as the QF FF program), that you can spend on either upgrades or award tickets.

That's why there is some confusion when the lettter Q is used in isolation - people can get confused as to whether one is talking about Q(-points), Q (the fare basis) or Q (QF - the airline code).
 
Thanks, I think I understand!! I few more queries if you please,

I'm booked on a V class Qantas Flight in June Syd- IAD returning in July. Is it possible to fly out as a QFF in June and return (July) doing the PLT challenge as a AA FF? I realise I will have to complete my next flight (late July SYD-LA (V class)) to complete the challenge.

Once a reach AAPLT am I able to upgrade cheap econ AA tickets between SYD- LA to Business class with miles? Are the VIPOW upgrade certificates able to be used for the same purpose (if I can reach AAPLT Elite)?

The AA award flights seem to be miles (lots and lots) cheaper than the QFF programme especially after next month!!
 
I'm booked on a V class Qantas Flight in June Syd- IAD returning in July. Is it possible to fly out as a QFF in June and return (July) doing the PLT challenge as a AA FF? I realise I will have to complete my next flight (late July SYD-LA (V class)) to complete the challenge.

Often it's the first FF number that 's entered into the reservation system that seems to "adhere" to the booking, but it is possible once you're in the USA to ring QF Reservations and cancel your QFF number; then ring again and load in your AAdv number . Generally they are best done as separate phone calls and then log into Check My Trip each time to see that it has worked.

It's hard (but not impossible) to cancel flights once they've hit a FF account. Just have to explain in mono-slyablic terms while producing a copy of the BP showing that it was meant to go to AA and in fact it was incorrectly credited to QF.

Once a reach AAPLT am I able to upgrade cheap econ AA tickets between SYD- LA to Business class with miles? Are the VIPOW upgrade certificates able to be used for the same purpose (if I can reach AAPLT Elite)?

Only if you are flying on AA metal within USA and only when on full-fare [Y or B class] (not the AA codeshare on QF metal).
Upgrade details are here. That's the extent of my knowledge of the AAdv program - I'd recommend you read the AA Platinum Booklet.

Yes, VIPOW's would allow you confirmed upgrades to the next class of travel, when travelling on some Economy fares. Check out the ExPlat Booklet (particularly Pages 2 and 15).

The AA award flights seem to be miles (lots and lots) cheaper than the QFF programme especially after next month!!

Correct !! Make the most of it - always liable to change in the future...
 
rosesplus said:
Once a reach AAPLT am I able to upgrade cheap econ AA tickets between SYD- LA to Business class with miles? Are the VIPOW upgrade certificates able to be used for the same purpose (if I can reach AAPLT Elite)?
The SYD-LA flights are operated by Qantas (even with an AA codeshare flight number). The only ways to upgrade these flights are with Qantas FF points or Upgrade Credits (when using the QF flights number), or to pay the difference in price. No AAdvantage option for upgrades on non-AA operated flights.
 
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