Upgrade on a OW partner airline?

[JetLagged]

Sorry if this question is covered elsewhere or else is too obvious to ask, but the different airline website information seems to be contradictory.

As a member of the QFF programme, and hence OneWorld - can I use points to upgrade on a partner airline? The Cathy site seems to indicate yes, while the Qan site says no.

OR

Do I need to join Asia Miles or something and transfer points - if that is allowed as well.

A friend of mine is with Star Alliance and has used points to upgrade on some of their flights - so any clarification on this would be very much appreciated.

PS plan buying I class Business ticket for travel next month to and from the UK.

 

[Ewing]

A few months back I enquired about upgrading to J from Y on AA32 (LAX-JFK) in the Admirals Club.

The agent assumed that I meant using points and very apologetically explained that unless I had miles with AA directly that I was unable to do so.

Note that this was booked with AA directly, on an AA flight number. Not sure what the status would have been if I was on the codeshare (QF3103).

That's the only time I've checked.

 

[JohnK]

Unfortunately QFF points can only be used to upgrade QF flights. No codeshares either.

You cannot transfer QFF points to CX Asia Miles so you will need to have points in Asia Miles if you want to upgrade CX flights.

 

[trooper]

And while "Star Alliance upgrades" are possible.. many of us consider them a waste of points..

The points cost tends to be very high, AND one can only upgrade from VERY high Economy fare classes! :shock:

 

[JetLagged]

Unfortunately QFF points can only be used to upgrade QF flights. No codeshares either.

You cannot transfer QFF points to CX Asia Miles so you will need to have points in Asia Miles if you want to upgrade CX flights.

I had been afraid of that, many thanks Jto members who respinded. Looks like I'll have to join either AsiaMiles or Marco Polo in order to acrue points there - worth it as Cathay is $3000 cheaper than dear (in both senses of the word) Qantas - can't afford to miss that much of a saving.

Any suggestions on relative merits of AsiaMiles over MP?

 

[JohnK]

Any suggestions on relative merits of AsiaMiles over MP?

Here is a relevant quote from GK on Flyertalk back in 1999! Here is a link to the acrhived thread.

To put it simply.. AsiaMiles is a Cathay scheme which awards miles only. There are no elite status levels. The asiamiles site is fairly straightforward, and has most information. The scheme started in February 99, prior to this CX operated 'Passages' with Malaysian and SQ, and didn't give miles for economy. So think of AsiaMiles as a slight improvement. If you are based in Asia, you can have flight mileage credited to AsiaMIles, and also earn BA Exec Club (Global) status points.

Marco Polo is CX's elite scheme. There is a minimum CX milegae threshold in a short time frame to qualify, and from then on it is just like any other FFP - miles and elite status points.

To be honest, this inconsistency is a little confusing. They should really just operate the one scheme !

Note that it does cost money to join Asia Miles (USD50 from memory). Why not fly CX and credit to QFF program? It would be a lot easier to attain and retain Platinum status (Oneworld Emerald) on QF than Diamond status on CX.

 

[JetLagged]

Why not fly CX and credit to QFF program? It would be a lot easier to attain and retain Platinum status (Oneworld Emerald) on QF than Diamond status on CX.

My sole idea was to try and obtain enough for upgrades on CX - usually from J to F - any flights on CX accrue to retaining my OW Emerald but the opportunity to upgrade on both QF and CX is what I am looking to retain/gain.

 

[JetLagged]

Here is a relevant quote from GK on Flyertalk back in 1999! Here is a link to the acrhived thread.

Thanks for that info, JohnK - I knew it would be easier to work out the realities from the knowledgeable AFF members than try and sort of website semantics!

 

[JohnK]

My sole idea was to try and obtain enough for upgrades on CX - usually from J to F - any flights on CX accrue to retaining my OW Emerald but the opportunity to upgrade on both QF and CX is what I am looking to retain/gain.

I think it will be possible to join Asia Miles and receive miles for the flights and also credit to QFF to be able to accrue status.

 

[serfty]

CX "Asia Miles" is free to join, but is only good for earn/burn.

If you want Status earning as well, then you need to join the "Marco Polo Club" which indeed costs USD50.

 

[JohnK]

If you want Status earning as well, then you need to join the "Marco Polo Club" which indeed costs USD50.

You can't earn miles in Asia Miles and accrue status on QFF? I guess that may not be possible but seemed to indicate it could be possible in the post from Flyertalk.

 

[serfty]

Apologies; I was referring to CX earn/burn/status.

I have no information or thoughts about Asia Miles earn combined with Status earn on other oneworld carriers.