So confused about AA & QFF! Help!

[simongr]

You might have tried this already, but did you check if there was award inventory to/from any Asian destination for a OW award? In the past, often I couldn't find availability through SIN or BKK, but, if I was creative, I could almost always find a couple of biz seats through NRT and LHR, combining QF, CX, and BA availability (and don't forget AY through HEL).

Thanks - yeah this is only the first foray into the planning. As the flights are not until July 2008 I am thinking I wont even be able to see availablity until 330 days out and i migth be setting up quite a few expert flyer warnings - although BA U class is a hidden fare class. Not sure how to deal with that - mind you mrssimongr might prefer CX for the authentic chinese food Mind you I then might need to try for an F award...

Going back OT I think for me AA is a long term benefit rather than short term. If my travel profile keeps up like this for a few more years then I will hit 2MM which is Lifetime Plat - which is lifetime QP. And in the interim I will have have probably enough points each year on AA for two rtw biz seats - unlikely on QFF...

*Note - I accrue only about 100K (max) of CC points a year compared to maybe 300K of FF points this year.

 

[Danger]

Some questions for those who know the ins and outs of the AA Challenge:

1) Once achieving OW Sapphire through the AA Platinum Challenge, does this change my QFF status (ie. to QF Gold)?

2) If I book on an AA codeshare (eg. LAX to SYD AA****) but fly on Qantas metal, do I earn points both towards the AA Challenge and my QFF account?

3) I have a LONE4 coming up (PER-MEL-HKG-SIN-LHR-DUB-LHR-ATH-LHR-JFK-DCA-MIA-ORD~DFW-LAS-LAX-SYD-PER). Is there logic to going for the Challenge and moving all possible QF flights to AA codeshares (I am already QP Silver/OW Ruby)?

 

[serfty]

1. no (However, you get access to QP's in a similar manner to that of SG's)

2. no (for points 'tis one or the other)

3. If you wish to do a challenge, it would make sense.

 

[NM]

3) I have a LONE4 coming up (PER-MEL-HKG-SIN-LHR-DUB-LHR-ATH-LHR-JFK-DCA-MIA-ORD~DFW-LAS-LAX-SYD-PER). Is there logic to going for the Challenge and moving all possible QF flights to AA codeshares (I am already QP Silver/OW Ruby)?

Its a shame you are not going the other way around the world. Going this way you will not complete the challenge until nearing the end of the trip.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

1. no (However, you get access to QP's in a similar manner to that of SG's)

The key difference in lounge access is in Admirals Clubs in USA (as AA PLT you need to be on international trip whereas QF GLD you can access for domestic trips), and possibly Qantas Clubs when flying Jetstar (Jetstar isn't oneworld so in theory only access for QF elites, but in practice, for now, ow sapphire and emerald likely also to have access).

 

[Danger]

Its a shame you are not going the other way around the world. Going this way you will not complete the challenge until nearing the end of the trip.

By my (rough) calculations I would still fall a few hundred points short of 10k points and thus achieving the AA Platinum Challenge. Have I computed wrong?

 

[Dave Noble]

By my (rough) calculations I would still fall a few hundred points short of 10k points and thus achieving the AA Platinum Challenge. Have I computed wrong?

Based on the itinerary posted

LHR-JFK-DCA-MIA-ORD
DFW-LAS-LAX-SYD

which could easily be on AA flight numbers is 14,560 miles and since L class earns 1 point per mile, will easily get you over the threshold

Dave

 

[Danger]

Based on the itinerary posted

LHR-JFK-DCA-MIA-ORD
DFW-LAS-LAX-SYD

which could easily be on AA flight numbers is 14,560 miles and since L class earns 1 point per mile, will easily get you over the threshold

Dave

Sorry for my ignorance but the Qantas website shows L earning 0.5 points per mile. Is it different when flying on L class under the AA Challenge?

 

[Dave Noble]

Sorry for my ignorance but the Qantas website shows L earning 0.5 points per mile. Is it different when flying on L class under the AA Challenge?

The QF site shows earning when collecting to Qantas Frequent Flyer

If you want to do the challenge and credit to AA, then you need to look at the terms as applies to the AAdvantage scheme; L class on AA earns full mileage when crediting to AAdvantage

Dave

 

[Danger]

Thank you. As is mentioned, I don't actually reach Platinum until I get back to Australia (it kicks in on the LAX-SYD leg). What are the benefits of having AA Platinum status if just flying within Australia? I expect to reach QFF Gold this year (by way of domestic flights credited to QF). Is it correct to assume then that I would probably be better off crediting all my points to QF and not completing the challenge? Also, if I was to fly, say PER-HKG with QF (after achieving AA Platinum), as a OW Sapphire member would I be able to access the CX lounge at HKG, rather than the QP, even though flying on a QF ticket?

 

[Dave Noble]

Thank you. As is mentioned, I don't actually reach Platinum until I get back to Australia (it kicks in on the LAX-SYD leg). What are the benefits of having AA Platinum status if just flying within Australia? I expect to reach QFF Gold this year (by way of domestic flights credited to QF). Is it correct to assume then that I would probably be better off crediting all my points to QF and not completing the challenge? Also, if I was to fly, say PER-HKG with QF (after achieving AA Platinum), as a OW Sapphire member would I be able to access the CX lounge at HKG, rather than the QP, even though flying on a QF ticket?

One of the main benefits of AA Platinum would be the cheaper award costs that tends to be a major feature of the AA programme. I don't think that it would be correct to assume that you would be better crediting to QF, you could well be better off crediting all the flights to AA

As a OW Sapphire member, you can use the CX business lounges

Dave

 

[serfty]

As a QF WP, who flys mainly domestic oz in discount WHY, I find the earn/burn point ratio when combined with the benefits of WP make crediting to QFF the better option. If I ever reach Lifetime QF SG this would tilt the balance more towards crediting to AAdvantage (at current rates).

My main reason for this is related to award redemption upgrades; AAdvantage status is of no documented assistance at all in this regard for Qantas operated flights.

 

[Dave Noble]

My main reason for this is related to award redemption upgrades; AAdvantage status is of no documented assistance at all in this regard for Qantas operated flights.

The OP is looking at SG rather than WP from what I can tell anyways and earning in economy as an AA PLT vs QF SG is not that dissimilar.. on short flights, both will earn a min of 1000 , on a longer flight then QF SG earns 1.5 miles per mile flown whilst AA PLT earns 1000 miles per mile flown on cheap fares and 2 miles per mile flown on K and above

When it comes to premium award redemption, there is no difference between AA availability and QF availability; QF only has a documented benefit when redeeming economy awards with the additional T inventory on QF flights

QF does have upgrade awards on QF , which AA does not offer admittedly, but on longer flights the AA business class award can be almost as cheap or even be cheaper than a QF upgrade ( e.g. SYD-PER r/t upgrade costs 32k QF points for a supersaver upgrade vs 35k AA points for the award redemption )

Dave

 

[serfty]

As a QF WP, who flys mainly domestic oz in discount WHY, I find the earn/burn point ratio when combined with the benefits of WP make crediting to QFF the better option. If I ever reach Lifetime QF SG this would tilt the balance more towards crediting to AAdvantage (at current rates). ...

The OP is looking at SG rather than WP from what I can tell anyways ...

As always, individual circumstances vary possible answers/recommendations to many questions including this one.

Hence the common abbreviation: YMMV.

 

[NM]

.. on short flights, both will earn a min of 1000 , on a longer flight then QF SG earns 1.5 miles per mile flown whilst AA PLT earns 1000 miles per mile flown on cheap fares and 2 miles per mile flown on K and above

Geeee. I must be doing something wrong. They have never paid me 1000 miles per mile flown on any fare :shock:

 

[Dave Noble]

Geeee. I must be doing something wrong. They have never paid me 1000 miles per mile flown on any fare :shock:

Hmm.... mebe they do 1 per mile actually .... methunks a typo occurred

Dave

 

[bighdad]

Given that the big guns are watching this thread (probably all threads actually - they're prolific), I want to formally thank them for their advice regarding the AA Plat challenge AKA how to become a candy thief - nice!

Trip from HNL-BWI return YUPP with one way economy loop to JFK, MIA, DCA for conference went well, and got me and Mrs B above 10000 on the return leg as Dave Noble suggested, with a huge bonus in points from Plat and P class.

Program to Date Miles:24,371
YTD Elite Qualifying Points:16,552
YTD Elite Qualifying Miles:12,518
YTD Elite Qualifying Segments:7
Miles Towards Elite Upgrades:5,001

In fact, YUPP HNL-BWI still worth thinking of for Plat challenge to east coast USA, with return fare 1278 USD Dec 07, much keener than farecompare.com suggests.

Presumably, the Miles Towards Elite Upgrades balance above indicates accrual toward EXP?

Now I'm regretting transferring Diners points to QFF prior to finding this website. Anyone know a way to launder points from QFF to AA? I've just done my first transfer to SPG in order to get the bonus 5k.

Are family points transfers valid for AA as they are for QFF?

Once again, this forum is brilliant; the moderators and frequent posters should be congratulated.

Andrew

Edited to remove annoying points table; see serfty's mod below - I'm too tired to make it work, got road-raged this afternoon, and its time for some z's.

 

[serfty]

Tip: Use Code tags for formatting

...

03/22/07 PLT CHALLENGE BONUS-REG MEMBER         0  1,217  1,217
03/22/07 AMERICAN AIRLINES  123 F DFW HNL   3,784  5,676  9,460
03/22/07 AMERICAN AIRLINES  567 F BWI DFW   1,217    609  1,826
03/14/07 AMERICAN AIRLINES  274 Y MIA DCA     920      0    920
03/12/07 AACOM ECONOMY CLASS BONUS              0    125    125
03/12/07 AMERICAN AIRLINES 1999 Y EWR MIA   1,096      0  1,096
03/09/07 AACOM ECONOMY CLASS BONUS              0    125    125
03/09/07 AACOM FIRST/BUSINESS BONUS             0    250    250
03/09/07 AMERICAN AIRLINES 3964 Y BWI JFK     184    316    500
03/09/07 AMERICAN AIRLINES  324 F DFW BWI   1,217    609  1,826
03/08/07 AACOM FIRST/BUSINESS BONUS             0    250    250
03/08/07 AMERICAN AIRLINES    8 F HNL DFW   3,784  1,892  5,676

         TOTAL MILES POSTED                12,202 11,069 23,271

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Once points are credited to QFF there is no way to transfer them out (other than to a QFF account of a relative). I'm afraid you are stuck with spending them as award, upgrade or other redemption - within QFF.

 

[Dave Noble]

Program to Date Miles:24,371 YTD Elite Qualifying Points:16,552 YTD Elite Qualifying Miles:12,518 YTD Elite Qualifying Segments:7 Miles Towards Elite Upgrades:5,001

Presumably, the Miles Towards Elite Upgrades balance above indicates accrual toward EXP?

The Miles towards elite upgrades indicates how many miles you have earned towards earning electronic upgrades for use on AA "domestic" services; you earn 4 Upgrades for every 10,000 earned base qualifying miles once you have elite status

The YTD EQP and EQM and Qualifying Segments are the counters that indicate your progress towards renewing Platinum next year (50,000 EQM or EQP or 60 sectors) or attaining EXP ( 100,000 EQM or EQP or 100 sectors )

Dave