QR or Emirates FF Program

[LAH]

just seeking opinions. I have lifetime gold with QF. (currently AA gold and Krisflyer silver). LONG term future : alot less flights to and within the USA. Some flights in Asia. More flights to Europe. So, last couple of years I have flown more and more with Qatar and with Emirates : there's been some very good deals and connections and destinations work better for me. Just had a great offer from EK to Europe later this month - but I still have my QF ff number in the booking - obviously not a good earn. Qatar airways is often very convenient for me. But, I need to start earning real points as the next couple of years are going to be busy for my company now that things are starting to open up. It's only me travelling. I can use either QR or EK on most flights that I will take. Love SQ, but stopovers and destinations often don't work for me, and cost is often better on either QR or EK for premium product. Thanks for any advice in advance.

Oh, I'll never reach lifetime platinum with QF so I'm not going to even try.

 

[Mattg]

Both Emirates and Qatar are good airlines, but have relatively poor frequent flyer programs.

If you'll be flying Emirates regularly and want to make them your main airline, perhaps Skywards might work.

If you'll be flying Qatar Airways mostly, perhaps look at British Airways Executive Club? IMHO a better program than QR Privilege Club and unlike Qantas, BA doesn't penalise you for flying with Oneworld partner airlines.

Obviously Qantas partners with both QR and EK, so could be another option if you'll be using a mixture of both EK and QR - but again, earn rates on Qatar aren't typically very good when crediting to QFF.

As a left field alternative, have you looked at Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan? Alaska partners with Emirates and is in Oneworld, so also partners with Qatar Airways. Although, I think you would need to do some actual flying on Alaska to make the most of Alaska status.

Lots of options... Sorry if my response creates more new questions than it answers! Just trying to point your enquiries in the right direction...

 

[andye]

You can earn BA tier points (or QF status credits) on Emirates planes if you book ones with QF flight numbers-often pricier though

 

[LAH]

Both Emirates and Qatar are good airlines, but have relatively poor frequent flyer programs.

If you'll be flying Emirates regularly and want to make them your main airline, perhaps Skywards might work.

If you'll be flying Qatar Airways mostly, perhaps look at British Airways Executive Club? IMHO a better program than QR Privilege Club and unlike Qantas, BA doesn't penalise you for flying with Oneworld partner airlines.

Obviously Qantas partners with both QR and EK, so could be another option if you'll be using a mixture of both EK and QR - but again, earn rates on Qatar aren't typically very good when crediting to QFF.

As a left field alternative, have you looked at Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan? Alaska partners with Emirates and is in Oneworld, so also partners with Qatar Airways. Although, I think you would need to do some actual flying on Alaska to make the most of Alaska status.

Lots of options... Sorry if my response creates more new questions than it answers! Just trying to point your enquiries in the right direction...

Thanks so much for the detailed response. I need to think more laterally, so really appreciate all your comments.

 

[Mattg]

You can earn BA tier points (or QF status credits) on Emirates planes if you book ones with QF flight numbers-often pricier though

Is that definitely the case? I wasn't aware you could earn BA TPs on QF-marketed Emirates flights (or flights operated by non-Oneworld airlines generally). That's good if so.

@JessicaTam

 

[JessicaTam]

You can earn BA tier points (or QF status credits) on Emirates planes if you book ones with QF flight numbers-often pricier though

Is that definitely the case? I wasn't aware you could earn BA TPs on QF-marketed Emirates flights (or flights operated by non-Oneworld airlines generally). That's good if so.

@JessicaTam

I believe that QF codeshares earn with BA. So on an EK (or even JQ) flight with a QF flight number.

I have yet to put this to the test, and it may be fare bucket dependent.

 

[andye]

I believe that QF codeshares earn with BA. So on an EK (or even JQ) flight with a QF flight number.

I have yet to put this to the test, and it may be fare bucket dependent.

Headforpoints as usual very good for all things BA

Can I earn Avios points if I fly with Emirates?

Amazingly, yes. We show you a loophole that allows you to earn Avios points and British Airways Executive Club tier points when flying with Emirates.

www.headforpoints.com

 

[andye]

Headforpoints as usual very good for all things BA

Can I earn Avios points if I fly with Emirates?

Amazingly, yes. We show you a loophole that allows you to earn Avios points and British Airways Executive Club tier points when flying with Emirates.

www.headforpoints.com

Also worth remembering that status with BA would count for little if flying EK. QF Platinums have reported free cabin upgrades in the past

 

[JessicaTam]

Also worth remembering that status with BA would count for little if flying EK. QF Platinums have reported free cabin upgrades in the past

Agreed. And if with BA, 4 BA flights or codeshares are also required.

 

[jakeseven7]

Also worth remembering that status with BA would count for little if flying EK. QF Platinums have reported free cabin upgrades in the past

Yes good point, as a QF WP I’ve had 2 upgrades with EK.

 

[LAH]

You can earn BA tier points (or QF status credits) on Emirates planes if you book ones with QF flight numbers-often pricier though

Normally I am not flying Emirates out of Australia, so sometimes difficult to get the code share flights. And, you are right, they are often pricier.

Also worth remembering that status with BA would count for little if flying EK. QF Platinums have reported free cabin upgrades in the past

hmm, have had quite a few flights with EK as a QF WP but no luck with an upgrade. However, who knows in the future? So, worth remembering. thank you.

 

[JessicaTam]

Normally I am not flying Emirates out of Australia, so sometimes difficult to get the code share flights. And, you are right, they are often pricier.

hmm, have had quite a few flights with EK as a QF WP but no luck with an upgrade. However, who knows in the future? So, worth remembering. thank you.

Anecdotally EK doesn't give upgrades to women.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Anecdotally EK doesn't give upgrades to women.

Evidence? They do for us.

PS: While transfers between members of Skywards is rediculously expensive EK have a family pooling scheme, unlike most FF programs, which is quite attractive for use in upgrades etc.

 

[henrus]

You can earn BA tier points (or QF status credits) on Emirates planes if you book ones with QF flight numbers-often pricier though

This is something I've wondered as well. The website currently lists the following:


It'd be rather crazy if true given that it'd mean you could earn Avios on a host of other other carriers with a QF flight number like Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Calin, Air North, Asiana, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, El Al, Emirates, KLM, LATAM and Westjet.

It makes me wonder if it's a typo given the old website used to have this table which clearly shows it's not eligible.



The easiest way to put this to the test would be an Air North flight, these have a QF code and should meet the criteria.

 

[http_x92]

After Lifetime Gold on QF is attained (not reaching Lifetime Platinum realistically lol), seems like either Lifetime Gold on Avios or Lifetime Gold Flying Blue would be another goal to hit.

 

[andye]

This is something I've wondered as well. The website currently lists the following:

View attachment 264255
It'd be rather crazy if true given that it'd mean you could earn Avios on a host of other other carriers with a QF flight number like Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Calin, Air North, Asiana, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, El Al, Emirates, KLM, LATAM and Westjet.

It makes me wonder if it's a typo given the old website used to have this table which clearly shows it's not eligible.

View attachment 264256

The easiest way to put this to the test would be an Air North flight, these have a QF code and should meet the criteria.

The QF codes on EK metal appears to be a unique exception
The Flyertalk BA Sticky is usually a reliable source of information. The text in post #6 on this link seems to suggest your scenario is plausible but the table of partner earn specifically mentions EK only

Your guide to the Executive Club, attaining status and earning Avios | 2021 edition - FlyerTalk Forums

British Airways | Executive Club - Your guide to the Executive Club, attaining status and earning Avios | 2021 edition - i Preface Firstly, we'd like to extend a warm welcome to our new members. We've created this short guide with you in mind which we hope covers all the basics you need to know...

www.flyertalk.com

 

[henrus]

The Flyertalk BA Sticky is usually a reliable source of information. The text in post #6 on this link seems to suggest your scenario is plausible but the table of partner earn specifically mentions EK only

Wow that's very detailed.

I did some more googling and found the following:

You can no longer earn Avios and BA tier points on Emirates

A recent Executive Club rule change means that you can no longer earn Avios and British Airways tier points on Emirates flights when booked under a Qantas code.

www.headforpoints.com

They've even got a screenshot of a BA account statement (dated back to 2015) so it must be possible and opens up a range of additional airlines you can fly on and earn BA points.

 

[jase05]

This is something I've wondered as well. The website currently lists the following:

View attachment 264255
It'd be rather crazy if true given that it'd mean you could earn Avios on a host of other other carriers with a QF flight number like Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Air Calin, Air North, Asiana, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, El Al, Emirates, KLM, LATAM and Westjet.

It makes me wonder if it's a typo given the old website used to have this table which clearly shows it's not eligible.

View attachment 264256

The easiest way to put this to the test would be an Air North flight, these have a QF code and should meet the criteria.

Doesn’t that table say that they are eligible or am I misreading it?

 

[JessicaTam]

Evidence? They do for us.

PS: While transfers between members of Skywards is rediculously expensive EK have a family pooling scheme, unlike most FF programs, which is quite attractive for use in upgrades etc.

Purely anecdotal. The WP women I have spoken to have never had an upgrade, yet many (not all) male WPs have.

Edit: I am referring to 'beep at the gate upgrades' as opposed to using points.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Purely anecdotal. The WP women I have spoken to have never had an upgrade, yet many (not all) male WPs have.

Edit: I am referring to 'beep at the gate upgrades' as opposed to using points.

Hmm. We’ve seen a number of single women given upgrades, but YMMV.