Relocating to Sydney from US: which frequent flyer program is best for me?
12 replies
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Relocating to Sydney from US: which frequent flyer program is best for me?
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Relocating to Sydney from US: which frequent flyer program is best for me?
kwons9
kwons9
Member since 24 May 2018
Total posts 1
Hi, Thanks a lot in advance for the advice!
I'll be relocating to Sydney from New York in few months for my work assignment. I'll be definitely staying at Australia for the next 3-5 years.
Can I get an advice for which FF programs to rack up my miles from my future trips?
I'll be traveling to US (New York) at least once a year and may be APAC (HK, Tokyo and Seoul) few times as well for work.
During my stay in AU, my plan is to explore Asia as much as I can with my family for vacation.
I don't have any status from any airline network now. Just have 200K miles with ANA and ~200K miles with Alaska Airline (Excellent redemption value with many transfer partners).
With my travel needs for both work and fun, could you advise me what FF program should I put my future miles to in terms of perks, choice and redemption value?
Any advice will be highly appreciated!
pab2025
pab2025
Member since 25 Jun 2012
Total posts 132
Don't switch to any Australian program - they all have huge taxes and fees and the amount of points required for redemption bookings is often 50% more than in the US.
Michael Kao
Michael Kao
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 06 Nov 2014
Total posts 164
It depends on which airline you'll be flying with for those trips.
whoppersandwich
whoppersandwich
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Dec 2017
Total posts 125
If you’re chasing status I would recommend joining Qantas’ FF scheme (tho I’d suggest utilising Alaska to make award bookings to avoid the costs mentioned above). Status credits are easy to come by, particularly on the routes you mentioned - and when you make trips back stateside having OW Sapphire/Emerald status is a godsend for lounge access with AA.
New Mint
New Mint
Member since 24 Feb 2012
Total posts 66
I tend to agree. Having status with Qantas and One World is definitely the way to go. However if you are only travelling between Asia and USA, gaining status with VA might be sufficient for your needs. You only need 500 status credits with VA for gold and 1000 for Platinum. VA has alliances with Singapore and Hong Kong Airlines for Asia (As well as their own Melb/Syd to HK services) and Delta for USA. Perhaps the choice will come down to where in Asia you will most likely be flying but given you are going to be here for 3-5 years I think it’s definitely worth achieving status with one of either Qantas or Virgin.
xtfer
xtfer
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 14 Mar 2017
Total posts 159
Nobody has mentioned the class of travel you're choosing... With the few trips you are doing, you will probably not make Gold with Qantas if you travel in Premium Economy or below. However, given that Virgin has a great family pooling option and lower status requirements, you will probably make Virgin Gold, giving you lounge access and other benefits on Singapore Airlines, Delta, Hong Kong Airlines, Etihad and a few others.
west49th
west49th
Member since 11 Aug 2017
Total posts 5
If you're already with American Airlines, keep it - a one way flight between any two cities in Australia (including Brisbane - Perth, a flight of 6 hours) only costs 10,000 miles one way for Economy or 20,000 for Business Class. No Aussie FF programme can match that.
stmaus
stmaus
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 20 Nov 2017
Total posts 45
I would say Qantas has huge taxes and fees, but Virgin Australia significantly lower.
Reg
Reg
American Airlines - AAdvantage
Member since 20 Jun 2012
Total posts 4
Keep AA membership, accrue any Qantas flights to it in pursuit on OW status and with your resident / citizen status you are the envy of many Australians, in that you can operate US credit cards and avail yourself of the sign up bonuses / bonus offers etc.
Andrew Barkery
Andrew Barkery
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Mar 2011
Total posts 433
Andrew Barkery
Andrew Barkery
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Mar 2011
Total posts 433
Put into your possible Air NZ booking, your ANA FF# if you do want to go and see NZ, esp the Southern Alps, I saw them several times flying Au - NZ, amazing for a person who has never seen snow capped mountains before!
BRCW
BRCW
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 Oct 2016
Total posts 13
+1 for AA. You'll earn on Qantas in Australia and Qantas/Cathay Pacific in Asia. As someone else mentioned, AA redemptions are very good value in Australia (including Australia-New Zealand). If you request a Platinum Challenge with AA, you should achieve Plat one-way from NY to Sydney. (Did this is the opposite direction 10 years ago). AA Plat is Oneworld Sapphire which will give you free access to all Qantas lounges in Australia and Cathay Pacific lounges in Asia.
ptambrosetti
ptambrosetti
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
Member since 21 May 2018
Total posts 6
Was very interested to hear everyone's answers as I'm somewhat in this boat as well. I'm approaching Gold Status with United (which puts me at Gold for Star Alliance too). Will definitely be holding on to both of my credit cards that earn United/SA Miles. Signed up for a Platinum Amex here to transfer to Emirates for other flights & everyday spend. Not impressed by Qantas or Virgin's loyalty schemes in the slightest.