Stay with QFF or Switch to AA??

[madmat777]

Hi All,

I've been QFF Platinum for seven years and also QFF life-time gold. I've just been demoted to gold because I was 280 status credits short this year for renewal (I only had 920 credits and the required 4 flights on QF metal). This year was a lower travel year for me.

You would think that for a life-time Gold they would reduce the requirement to renew for Platinum to keep them engaged! Anyway, I digress.

I live in the US now (at an AA hub), and will continue to do so for the next three years at least. I do several US trips a year and at least 1 trip to Europe and 2 back to Aus a year.
I've been thinking that there is no point adding more status to QFF because I can not go lower than gold and there is no life-time Plat to go for.

Should I go for AA? It will be a pain to start from scratch, but should not take long as I have a lot more travel planned this year and the AMEX lounges to fall back on.

Is there a reason to stay with QFF that I am not thinking about?

Appreciate any thoughts and suggestions you may have.

Mathew.

 

[Steady]

Is there a reason to stay with QFF that I am not thinking about?

Mathew.

IMO no, move along.

 

[opusman]

LTG will get you lounge access in North America so I'd say no reason to keep crediting to QF.

 

[madmat777]

LTG will get you lounge access in North America so I'd say no reason to keep crediting to QF.

Can you access a lounge with the QFF card even though you are booked on a flight with an AA Frequent Flyer number?

 

[opusman]

Can you access a lounge with the QFF card even though you are booked on a flight with an AA Frequent Flyer number?

I don't see why not.

 

[serfty]

Can you access a lounge with the QFF card even though you are booked on a flight with an AA Frequent Flyer number?

Absolutely!

 

[madmat777]

Perfect - thanks for that. That solves the one thing that was stopping me.

It does seem a bit silly to build status in another OW carrier, but being in the AA hub makes it seem like an obvious choice.

 

[TonyHancock]

My long held philosophy is to hold status with the airline you fly the most. Switching to AA, whilst holding OWS in another airline, is a huge bonus because of the lounge access.

 

[Danger]

It sounds like you're in a very good position to be able to leverage AA status. Do be aware, however, that the program isn't as great as it once was. There is a not insignificant minimum spend for status levels now. Ditch QF, yes, but also consider Alaska's Mileage Plan FF program.

Can you access a lounge with the QFF card even though you are booked on a flight with an AA Frequent Flyer number?

As stated, yes. Of course, if you were in Australia flying Qantas and wanting to do that (ie. access a QF lounge with your AA number in the booking) you'll most likely encounter resistance. But that's not an issue for you fortunately.

 

[drron]

It is just J lounge domestically that would be out.My AA plat card gets me into QPs with no questions ask if I am flying on an AA codeshare with AA number in the booking.Also gets me priority security and boarding.Besides the OP is LTG so no probs.
As has been said AA is not as good as it used to be.Premium redemptions which previously were easy to get have virtually disappeared on many routes.

 

[mviy]

If you have QFF points make sure you have some QFF earn still every 18 months e.g. from credit card spend to keep them from expiring.

 

[wandering_fred]

With QFF LTG, I see no reason not to open an AA account.
However, be aware that AA no longer has "soft landings". The EQD requirements may be better solved by flying your overseas trips on a OW partner airline in a premium cabin (PE counts). And award tickets may be more readily available on partner airlines than AA (unless you are super flexible)

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[QF WP]

You are at a perfect position to use AA as your main program and your QFF Gold card for access to the Lounges. Happy days. I switched back in 2003 but have only come back to QF when AA ceased the CC earn for lifetime status, so I switched back to QF to achieve Lifetime Gold and will switch back to AA (in order to achieve Lifetime Gold there).

 

[madmat777]

Thanks everyone - I really appreciate the input.

Do you think it is worth signing up to a Platinum Challenge? I have Europe, Aus and a couple domestic US trips to make in the next 3 months. Most will be in J, so not sure there is any benefit in the challenge.

 

[wandering_fred]

Thanks everyone - I really appreciate the input.
Do you think it is worth signing up to a Platinum Challenge? I have Europe, Aus and a couple domestic US trips to make in the next 3 months. Most will be in J, so not sure there is any benefit in the challenge.

In your situation, it would depend on whether the status bonuses on the reward miles were worth more than the cost of the Platinum challenge and potentially additional assistance for IRROPs.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[QF WP]

What wandering_fred said. The good thing is that it is easier to get than it was previously. Put the lack of a soft landing aside, as it sounds like you'll easily re-qual Platinum. Whether you make it (and retain) ExecPlat will be intereting to calculate.