Regular SYD-DAR: Stay QF or switch to EK?

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So my new job involves regular travel from SYD-DAR (at least six return flights a year). I am currently QF SG, and about 500 SCs from life silver after five years business travel in Australia.
Now unfortunately my first SYD-DAR flight was booked by new new firm as a straight EK ticket not a codeshare. This is when I discovered EK flights only gives miles, no SCs, unless code shared. To make matters worse the DXB-DAR leg cannot be codeshared at all(though bizarrely some tiny North African cities are). I have looked at Qatar airlines, but the return flight on my schedule blows out to 41 hrs with a stop over, so not attractive. Flying through JNB would be nice, but still no OW connection to DAR

Which brings me back to switching my loyalty to EK. I can still change allegiance for my return flights in Jan and would make skywards silver quickly and then gold by June at least.

So the main upside is that EK do seem to give upgrades more frequently and I find their service generally better.

Downsides: Internal Australian EK codeshare flights not linked to international flights don't earn status credits.
EK isn't part of proper alliances, only get status on codeshares.
Not 100% sure that if I fly EK and claim points with them that they still allow me access to their lounges with my QF SC card?

To throw fuel in the fire I may be moving to London later in the year...

So what would you guys do in my situation stay QFF and prob not get platinum back, or take a punt on EK?
 
If you have to fly those long haul routes many times a year and in economy, I would build up EK status so that you get more benefits into the future to make those trips more bearable.

If your work flights are in J I see no huge benefit in EK status, so would concentrate on building Life Time QF status.
 
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When does your frequent flyer year end with QF and how many SC are you sitting on now? If you're not far off the 600SC to requalify for SG I would maybe self fund the travel to get you to the 600 SC needed then reassess again in a years time as you may be residing in the UK by then possibly.

I wouldn't just automatically credit your upcoming flying to EK on the hope of getting op-ups with them. A friend who used to do FIFO to KBL is Skywards Gold with EK and to the best of my knowledge only received one upgrade the whole time. You'll still be ale to access EK lounges with your QF SG card no matter which airline you credit the flights to.

You could always consider signing up for the Alaska Mileage Plan as you can credit EK flights to AS. Check the link below for earning rates and ask the TA who books your flights what fare bucket they book into so you can double check that the class booked are earning ones.

Another thing to note is that when it comes to redeeming EK flights for award travel their fees and charges are very expensive whereas AS are very cheap. You can redeem AS points for awards on QF and CX and also buy unlimited points with AS which makes it an inexpensive way of travelling in premium cabins. You can also do OW award redemptions as IIRC do a stopover eg BNE/HKG/JFK.

https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mileage-plan/how-to-earn-miles/airline-partners/emirates.aspx
 
If you have to fly those long haul routes many times a year and in economy, I would build up EK status so that you get more benefits into the future to make those trips more bearable.

If your work flights are in J I see no huge benefit in EK status, so would concentrate on building Life Time QF status.

Thanks Juddles, I'd need a promotion to get J, not going to happen for at least a year. bloody downturn belt tightening! Otherwise I'd definitely stay with QF to close on life gold.
 
When does your frequent flyer year end with QF and how many SC are you sitting on now? If you're not far off the 600SC to requalify for SG I would maybe self fund the travel to get you to the 600 SC needed then reassess again in a years time as you may be residing in the UK by then possibly.

I wouldn't just automatically credit your upcoming flying to EK on the hope of getting op-ups with them. A friend who used to do FIFO to KBL is Skywards Gold with EK and to the best of my knowledge only received one upgrade the whole time. You'll still be ale to access EK lounges with your QF SG card no matter which airline you credit the flights to.

You could always consider signing up for the Alaska Mileage Plan as you can credit EK flights to AS. Check the link below for earning rates and ask the TA who books your flights what fare bucket they book into so you can double check that the class booked are earning ones.

Another thing to note is that when it comes to redeeming EK flights for award travel their fees and charges are very expensive whereas AS are very cheap. You can redeem AS points for awards on QF and CX and also buy unlimited points with AS which makes it an inexpensive way of travelling in premium cabins. You can also do OW award redemptions as IIRC do a stopover eg BNE/HKG/JFK.



Thanks OzBeachbabe, I'm on about 95 at the moment with Qf and requalify end of September. I took a month off before starting my new role so haven't been earning recently.

I'll definitely look at the Alaska option, I just worry they might stop doing deals with EK, or change the deal drastically like EK did with QF regarding SCs...


Is EK also expensive to use points to upgrade?

Talking to colleagues they seem to be very generous on this route, but I will make more inquiries. I do know I have only received 2 freebies from Qantas in 8 years, four of which I was WP getting the 4 bonuses a year...
 
Thanks OzBeachbabe, I'm on about 95 at the moment with Qf and requalify end of September. I took a month off before starting my new role so haven't been earning recently.

I'll definitely look at the Alaska option, I just worry they might stop doing deals with EK, or change the deal drastically like EK did with QF regarding SCs...


Is EK also expensive to use points to upgrade? Talking to colleagues they seem to be very generous on this route, but I will make more inquiries. I do know I have only received 2 freebies from Qantas in 8 years, four of which I was WP getting the 4 bonuses a year...[/QUOT

Crediting EK flights to Alaskan may be a better option if you prefer to book premium travel with low taxes for your holidays because EK are pricey in taxes for award tickets similar to those charged by SQ and QF.

If using your points to upgrade from Y to J is your preference then crediting your EK flight to Skywards is a better option however you've got to get the runs on the board first. You might earn approximately 17K Skywards points for a round trip ticket eg BNE/xDXB/MXP/xDXB/BNE but the $64K question is what does that get you in terms of upgrading from Y to J and how many flights you need to sit in economy to earn those points that give you the chance? Essentially you'll be doing the majority of your flying in Y with the occasionally opportunity to do a points upgrade.

Emirates business class upgrade guide - Australian Business Traveller
 
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