RTW (oneworld) Hi just have a couple of questions.

RTW (oneworld)

Hi just have a couple of questions. i will be doing a rtw trip in jan-feb next year and plan to get aadvantage gold or plat from that trip.

Just want to ask,

1. How many segments do i need to fly on american airlines own metal. (i think its 4? but im not 100%)

2. Do american airlines have any 5th freedom flights? and if so what routes do they fly?

thanks for your replies :)

hi benjo,

1) You need to fly 4 segments. Can I suggest you try their Platinum Challenge to fasttrack to Platinum (OW Sapphire). Advantage Gold is only OW Ruby - you don't get very much, although you do get a minimum of 1,000 miles for each eligible Qantas flights i.e the same (or more) amount of points you would earn on QFF flying on the cheapest eligible Qantas flight.

2) American mainly operates point-to-point from the US and does hardly any tag flights, where 5th freedom rights are required (I stand to be corrected). Why do you need to know if AA has any 5th freedom rights? 

If you are wanting to maximise the number of AA codes for your RTW sectors, I would suggest, given the nature of your booking (RTW), you wil be able to opt for flights with AA codes, even when operated by other OW carriers without much of a fare difference. Again I stand to be corrected.

Note too, given AA and BA's close working relationship, you earn exactly the same miles, EQM and EQP flying on BA codes. Across the Atlantic the same applies when flying AY codes. This is particularly handy when you're flying in Economy, where the accrual rate is pretty rubbish on other OW carriers like CX, QF, QR, MH etc. If you're flying PE, Business or First then it makes no difference. 

Thanks for the quick reply TRB;

A challenge sounds great but how would one apply to the platinum challenge? Is this posted on there website or you have to request/email? Also how many miles do i need to fly to complete for this fasttrack?

I was just looking at some american airlines 5th freedom flights just incase i dont fly 4segments on american (domesticly). right now im only sked to complete 3 domestic flights in the u.s. all my intl flights are with oneworld i.e Lan, BA, Fin or Qantas.

With regards to codeshare flights. if aa has a code on say qantas flight syd-lax than that would classify as one segment on american air even though its operated by qantas? is that correct? 

I'll be doing most on P.economy (where possible) and 1-2 flights in business class. thanks for your advice im looking forward to my 1st rtw. here is a link of my flight plan/stop. 

http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=syd-akl-scl-dfw-sfo-lax-jfk-lhr-hel-nrt-sin-syd&MS=bm&DU=mi

benjo,

Your 4 segment target can by met flying AA metal with an AA code or by flying any other AA partner airline with an AA code (e.g flying QF metal with AA code or flying EY with an AA code). That means the SYD/LAX segment if booked as an AA code will contribute towards your 4 segment target.

I noticed you'll be flying trans Atlantic, which I presume will be on BA. You can very easily book that as an AA code (BA metal) to add to your target.

The Platinum Challenge requires you to hit 10,000 Elite Qualifying Points (EQP) within 3 months. EQP = miles travelled x 1.5 for travel in First,Business, PE or Full fare Economy(Y or B) booking inventory. For other Economy inventory the multiple is either 1 or 0.5 (Refer to AA's website for the full table). Signing up for the challenge cost USD 240 and can be done by calling Aadvantage Customer Service in Dallas. Their line only operates 9am to 5.30pm central time. The Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) and EQP your earned whilst doing the challenge will contribute towards your 50,000 EQM or EQP target to qualify for Platinum status the year.

As indicated before, while flying EY with an AA code counts towards an AA segment, such flights will not earn you EQM or EQP. Only flights on AA or other OW metal will allow you to earn EQM/EQP. There is however one exception - like it's not confusing already! You will still earn EQM/EQP when flying on a QF codeshare (e.g. EK metal with QF code) that is not Jetstar operated. 

ok great; thanks for all the info. ill call aadvantaqe a week before my flights start. will alsomake sire  that my travel agent books my tickets on an aa code where possible. the 10k eqp seems very easy my up coming trip.

i might give the aa 77w  a try. btw side question... will be flying lan to SCL. does anyone have a idea of when they will be getting there 787-9? i only know its sometime in 2015? thanks all :)

The infirmation provided by TRB is right on,and the best you will get short of plying every site.The great advise is while AA fly there own metal to some asian ports..if its status your after do AA metal where available on your selected route,if it,s comfort do CX or others.

Or fly CX metal on AA code, although AA 77W is pretty awesome!

In order to earn AA status, your must fly at least 4 segments on "marketed" AA (or USAir) flights.

This means that your ticket must show an AA or US flight number, regardless of the airline that operates the flight.

If you are able to book any flight that shows an AA flight number, including codeshares on any other airline (such as BA, Alaska, JetBlue etc), it will count as a segment towards your AA qualification requirements.

Be aware that the opposite also applies - if your ticket shows a BA/CX/QF or whatever other flight number, it will not count even if the flight is operated by AA/USAir.

Clarification:

If you are able to book any flight that shows an AA flight number =on your ticket=, including codeshares operated by any other airline (such as BA, Alaska, JetBlue), it will count as an AA segment towards your AA qualification requirements