RTW Status Credits

[NM]

It may not be that far away if Virgin joins star alliance or at least codeshares flights with star alliance carriers.

Don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen. As much as I am sure DJ would love to be a member of Star Alliance, the costs involved and their operating model to not lend themselves to that happening any time soon.

Having some UA codeshares is a long way from being a member of Star Alliance.

 

[JohnK]

Don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen. As much as I am sure DJ would love to be a member of Star Alliance, the costs involved and their operating model to not lend themselves to that happening any time soon.

Having some UA codeshares is a long way from being a member of Star Alliance.

Not disputing what you are saying NM.

My gut feeling tells me that it will not be too far away. It will start with a codeshare here and a codeshare there and before you know it they are part of the star alliance. I am sure the star alliance would love to have a partner in the Australian domestic market and virgin would be the perfect vehicle for that to happen.

Stranger things have happened!

 

[QF WP]

To answer your first re: Corporate TA, we have no one - so it's up to me to find a corporate TA (any sugestions?)

In BNE, I see. Actually, I use QF website for my easy Red e-deals and Super Saver fares - there's no saving in going to TA (most don't earn commission on domestic anymore). You could head to the QF Travel Centre, 247 Adelaide Street.

For your Intl travel or dometic Flexi Saver & Fully Flexible fares...a couple of us use AA UK or USA for making the bookings and AA SYD for ticketing. That way the savings are worthwhile (saving on the fuel surcharges)

I'm a 10 year old start-up

At least you're not a 10 year old up-start :twisted: :roll: ...there are a couple of those on BB's not much older than that :wink: ...

AA here I come - Thank you all so much for your freely given advice.

madmat777, that's the beauty of these BB's. There are always people out there willing to share - it doesn't cost us anything and we all benefit. I have learnt soo much from people like NM, Dave Noble and others. There is still much to learn and share...

 

[serfty]

... I am sure the star alliance would love to have a partner in the Australian domestic market and virgin would be the perfect vehicle for that to happen.

Stranger things have happened!

More like DJ is the only option for *A (ATM)!

 

[JohnK]

... I am sure the star alliance would love to have a partner in the Australian domestic market and virgin would be the perfect vehicle for that to happen.

Stranger things have happened!

More like DJ is the only option for *A (ATM)!

Still, I think Virgin will be involved with Star Alliance in one form or another in the near future. No other choice really. We have seen the failure of Ozjet so i don't think there will be too many carriers challenging the QF stranglehold on the Australian market.

Time will reveal all.

 

[traveloguy]

Remember that there are more than 2 alliances. Dare I say it, but Scary Team could also benefit from an Australian partner. Also remember that DJ whilst affiliated with VS is not part owned by SQ as is VS.

 

[beardoc]

As has been mentioned, you can launder from AMEX to AA at 1 AMEX point to 0.4125 AA points; if you have an AMEX card that gives 1.5 points per dollar spend, that does work out at 0.61875 AA points per $ spend , which isnt that bad compared to US cards to AA miles. US CCs seem to give 1 AA point per US$ , this works out at 0.847 AA points per US$

I noticed on the SPG website that there is a bonus of 5000 points per 20000 points transferred - does this apply to your transfers through to AA, Dave?

 

[NM]

I noticed on the SPG website that there is a bonus of 5000 points per 20000 points transferred - does this apply to your transfers through to AA, Dave?

The extra 25% bonus is included in Dave's calculations. You get 330 SPG points per 1000 Amex MR points. And then you get 25,000 AA miles for each 20,000 SPG points.

 

[JohnK]

Remember that there are more than 2 alliances. Dare I say it, but Scary Team could also benefit from an Australian partner. Also remember that DJ whilst affiliated with VS is not part owned by SQ as is VS.

Yes there are more than 2 alliances but for some reason I don't see the other(s) as a threat.

One would think that it can only be beneficial to domestic travellers and airfares if Virgin is able to hook up with either Star Alliance or Sky Team in the near future.

 

[QF WP]

Just a beautiful system, isn't it beardoc. The best way to actually get non BIS miles onto AAdv and accrue towards Lifetime statuses over there (unlike the QF program, which is solely BIS miles towards status). The only non BIS miles that will continue to accrue in my QFF account is the QANZ Visa (not that we spend a lot on that, usually <$2,000 per month).

Currently have 48,750 Plat Amex points (accrued in 6 months) that I will continue to keep there until I need to transfer them to AA. Also have 24,000 SPG points that need a better home. Have just transferred 20,000 of them to a brand new 25,000 point AA home

Now to work out how to get my 81,150 Citibank CC points to AA (via another conduit program) and 144,000 HH points...plus I've changed my earning on all Hotel & Car Rental programs to AA miles

 

[Dave Noble]

I think that if DJ was to join up with any other airline, my bet would be that it would join up with VS rather than Star.

Dave

 

[beardoc]

What would be the chances of getting a more direct route from Amex to AA? I realise that it's different here, but in the US, you can redeem rewards in 11 different programs. Here it's QF and Malaysian Airlines only.

 

[JohnK]

What would be the chances of getting a more direct route from Amex to AA?

Buckley's and none spring to mind. I may be mistaken but there maybe others.

I realise that it's different here, but in the US, you can redeem rewards in 11 different programs. Here it's QF and Malaysian Airlines only.

No. If you browse the Amex website you will find that Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways are also program partners, but not at a tranfer of 1:1!

Amex Membership Rewards Partners

 

[beardoc]

But why not AA, even at a spend 2 to 1, would be handy. I'd love to send my points to a program that counts all points (not just flights) as credit towards status (i.e. the AA Million Miler stuff).

 

[JohnK]

But why not AA, even at a spend 2 to 1, would be handy. I'd love to send my points to a program that counts all points (not just flights) as credit towards status (i.e. the AA Million Miler stuff).

Dave Noble has already mentioned a way to launder Amex to AA at 1 to ~0.4125

As has been mentioned, you can launder from AMEX to AA at 1 AMEX point to 0.4125 AA points; if you have an AMEX card that gives 1.5 points per dollar spend, that does work out at 0.61875 AA points per $ spend , which isnt that bad compared to US cards to AA miles. US CCs seem to give 1 AA point per US$ , this works out at 0.847 AA points per US$

If you are happy with 2:1 then ~2.42:1 is not that bad.

Somethings we are not meant to know. The creator will reveal all when the time is ready.