I fly between NYC and Sydney about once a month, but often fly to other destinations in the United States domestically. I am also in Paris and Hong Kong about once or twice a year. I am currently using the QFF program but wanted to change to AAdvantage without sacrificing my current tier benefits. Can I make bookings using my Aadvantage number during the 'transition year' and still have lounge access and baggage allowance on account of my Platinum QFF status? Or must I begin again with nothing?
Transition is easy. FIrst up, sign up for a Platinum Challenge with AA so you can start getting Sapphire benefits ASAP. This will go someway towards securing travel benefits like lounge access, free baggage allowance and priority baggage to name a few. With Platinum status on Aadvantage, you also get to double your mileage earned.
However in the interim, record your QFF number on your bookings to enable you to obtain all the perks. Once you've entered the lounge, get the agents to issue you boarding passes with your Aadvantage number. This can be done in any lounges operated by the airline you're flying with. Where the lounge is operated by a third party, leave the lounge earlier and get your boarding reprinted at a service desk.
I have quite a lot of Qantas points that I would also like to use this year while making this transition. Could I book an economy ticket, use my points for an upgrade before arriving at the airport, then have my boarding pass changed in the lounge from QFF to AA ? Despite having used points for a cabin upgrade?
On another note, do you think that this change is beneficial to begin with? It seems like you're someone who would know the merits of each program fluently. I was just doing some calculations and I am correct it looks like even in discount economy, only 20,000 elite qualifying points are needed, which is only a few flights to and from the United States.
Finally, do you know if Qantas domestic flights in Australia qualify for the AA platinum challenge? Can't seem to find that information anywhere.
Could I book an economy ticket, use my points for an upgrade before arriving at the airport, then have my boarding pass changed in the lounge from QFF to AA ? Despite having used points for a cabin upgrade?
Yes you can. But I believe you will earn miles and EQM/EQP on the basis of the original tickets purchased.
it looks like even in discount economy, only 20,000 elite qualifying points are needed, which is only a few flights to and from the United States.
I'm not sure where and how 20,000 elite qualifying points (EQP) apply. For the Platinum Challenge you only need 10,000 EQP. To hit/retain Platinum you'll need 50,000 EQM/EQP and for Exec Platinum you'll need 100,000 EQM/EQP. Suffice to say the segment targets are the least effective/efficient way to hit status. Unless you mean you'll need to fly "double" the distance in discount economy to complete the challenge, then yes you are right (terminology: 20,000 miles to achieve 10,000 elite qualifying points (EQP) at a rate of 0.5 EQP per mileage earned).
Finally, do you know if Qantas domestic flights in Australia qualify for the AA platinum challenge?
Yes Qantas domestic flights goes towards completing the platinum challenge. However note that you'll earn pittance by way of EQP. If these trips are incidental to your platinum challenge then that's fine. If however flying Qantas domestic flights is the backbone of your strategy, it's not a very efficient way to do it i.e. a very high $/EQP. If you're desperate BA flights to Singapore from Australia is your best bet. It's a much more cost effective way to hit your target. Earn rates for BA is the same as AA's rate of accrual.
Thanks again for the useful information. I am going to begin the challenge soon.
I am still unclear about what I can use my Qantas points for now though. Even if I wait until after I qualify for Platinum AA, I would still be wanting to fly using my AAdvantage program rather than QFF to maintain my status level.
I wish there was a way of flying Qantas, using my AAdvantage loyalty program on my boarding pass, but still being able to upgrade cabins with Qantas FF points. Is that impossilble?
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QFF / AAdvantage transition
coldam1
coldam1
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 Mar 2015
Total posts 3
QFF / AAdvantage transition
Hi there. New here.
I fly between NYC and Sydney about once a month, but often fly to other destinations in the United States domestically. I am also in Paris and Hong Kong about once or twice a year. I am currently using the QFF program but wanted to change to AAdvantage without sacrificing my current tier benefits. Can I make bookings using my Aadvantage number during the 'transition year' and still have lounge access and baggage allowance on account of my Platinum QFF status? Or must I begin again with nothing?
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
Hi Coldam1,
Transition is easy. FIrst up, sign up for a Platinum Challenge with AA so you can start getting Sapphire benefits ASAP. This will go someway towards securing travel benefits like lounge access, free baggage allowance and priority baggage to name a few. With Platinum status on Aadvantage, you also get to double your mileage earned.
However in the interim, record your QFF number on your bookings to enable you to obtain all the perks. Once you've entered the lounge, get the agents to issue you boarding passes with your Aadvantage number. This can be done in any lounges operated by the airline you're flying with. Where the lounge is operated by a third party, leave the lounge earlier and get your boarding reprinted at a service desk.
coldam1
coldam1
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 Mar 2015
Total posts 3
Thank you for the reply.
I have quite a lot of Qantas points that I would also like to use this year while making this transition. Could I book an economy ticket, use my points for an upgrade before arriving at the airport, then have my boarding pass changed in the lounge from QFF to AA ? Despite having used points for a cabin upgrade?
On another note, do you think that this change is beneficial to begin with? It seems like you're someone who would know the merits of each program fluently. I was just doing some calculations and I am correct it looks like even in discount economy, only 20,000 elite qualifying points are needed, which is only a few flights to and from the United States.
Finally, do you know if Qantas domestic flights in Australia qualify for the AA platinum challenge? Can't seem to find that information anywhere.
Thank you!
TheRealBabushka
TheRealBabushka
Member since 21 Apr 2012
Total posts 2,058
Hi coldam1
Could I book an economy ticket, use my points for an upgrade before arriving at the airport, then have my boarding pass changed in the lounge from QFF to AA ? Despite having used points for a cabin upgrade?
Yes you can. But I believe you will earn miles and EQM/EQP on the basis of the original tickets purchased.
it looks like even in discount economy, only 20,000 elite qualifying points are needed, which is only a few flights to and from the United States.
I'm not sure where and how 20,000 elite qualifying points (EQP) apply. For the Platinum Challenge you only need 10,000 EQP. To hit/retain Platinum you'll need 50,000 EQM/EQP and for Exec Platinum you'll need 100,000 EQM/EQP. Suffice to say the segment targets are the least effective/efficient way to hit status. Unless you mean you'll need to fly "double" the distance in discount economy to complete the challenge, then yes you are right (terminology: 20,000 miles to achieve 10,000 elite qualifying points (EQP) at a rate of 0.5 EQP per mileage earned).
Finally, do you know if Qantas domestic flights in Australia qualify for the AA platinum challenge?
Yes Qantas domestic flights goes towards completing the platinum challenge. However note that you'll earn pittance by way of EQP. If these trips are incidental to your platinum challenge then that's fine. If however flying Qantas domestic flights is the backbone of your strategy, it's not a very efficient way to do it i.e. a very high $/EQP. If you're desperate BA flights to Singapore from Australia is your best bet. It's a much more cost effective way to hit your target. Earn rates for BA is the same as AA's rate of accrual.
coldam1
coldam1
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 Mar 2015
Total posts 3
Thanks again for the useful information. I am going to begin the challenge soon.
I am still unclear about what I can use my Qantas points for now though. Even if I wait until after I qualify for Platinum AA, I would still be wanting to fly using my AAdvantage program rather than QFF to maintain my status level.
I wish there was a way of flying Qantas, using my AAdvantage loyalty program on my boarding pass, but still being able to upgrade cabins with Qantas FF points. Is that impossilble?