Another 'Which FFP?' Thread
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,945
Another 'Which FFP?' Thread
My son will turn 18 this year and I've offered to pay for a mileage run so he can earn a shiny FFP card of his own.
For the following itinerary, which FFP would be best? He will be flying F to maximize the miles.
HKG-NRT-DEL-NRT-SIN-SYD-AKL-SYD-JFK-LAX-DFW-ANC/SEA-DFW-PHX-LHR-MCT-LHR-CPT-JNB-HKG
My thoughts:
Thank you!
For the following itinerary, which FFP would be best? He will be flying F to maximize the miles.
HKG-NRT-DEL-NRT-SIN-SYD-AKL-SYD-JFK-LAX-DFW-ANC/SEA-DFW-PHX-LHR-MCT-LHR-CPT-JNB-HKG
My thoughts:
- BA - The trip should get him to Gold/OW Emerald.
- CX - The trip will only have him reach Gold/OW Sapphire, but he flies CX the most.
- QF - Not sure about this program.
Thank you!
#4
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,620
You will reach QF Platinum (OW emerald) after the LAX-DFW flight. That will allow access to all AA lounges, including the Flagship lounges at LAX/ORD/JFK. However, the earn/burn rate in the QF FFP is among the worst. You could then do an AA Platinum challenge for the remaining flights (except PHX-LHR) and earn a bunch of miles.
#5
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
What will he be using his card for? That probably decides which programme is the best.
I think he is not looking for award travel. (For award travel, AA is the best, but he cannot use it for non-AA upgrades. If he is flying CX, AA miles cannot be used for upgrades.)
If he wants lounge access:
* AA is the worst. He cannot gets into an OW lounge when traveling domestically.
* BA will put him in the EM category, but if he flies between US and UK, he cannot get BA miles & tier points on AA flights.
* If he can eventually end up in the CX DM tier, then he should go for CX. He has more flexibility when he flies CX, and even when he is flying CX.
I think he is not looking for award travel. (For award travel, AA is the best, but he cannot use it for non-AA upgrades. If he is flying CX, AA miles cannot be used for upgrades.)
If he wants lounge access:
* AA is the worst. He cannot gets into an OW lounge when traveling domestically.
* BA will put him in the EM category, but if he flies between US and UK, he cannot get BA miles & tier points on AA flights.
* If he can eventually end up in the CX DM tier, then he should go for CX. He has more flexibility when he flies CX, and even when he is flying CX.
#7
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,419
QF platinum earns points when travelling AA trans-atlantic. On some itineraries BA earns status quicker and on others QF earns status quicker.
BA has 2-4-1 which QF does not have.
BA has 2-4-1 which QF does not have.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,945
If my estimations are correct, QF status is easier to retain, but 2-4-1 is certainly attractive. ^
#9
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold(OWE), QF LTG, MR Plat, IHG Spire, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,156
With your contacts within CX (which I assume you have considering your CX "Invitation" status), any chance you could ask them to fast track your son's status? Gold status alone would ensure that he would get domestic lounge access in the US. Also sticking with CX means that should anything happen you again can use your contacts higher up the food chain to sort things out.
#10
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
It is very unlikely that CX will fast track anyone from nothing to a Gold status. CX does not even often comp people unless they flew CX/KA a lot. They may do that for some corporate deals. It may be easier to ask for special consideration for a DMP member.
The biggest problem for OP's son is that, if nothing can be arranged, it will take him at least 210K miles from nothing to Diamond. Perhaps if his son has already flown CX/KA very frequently before he turns 18, it may be possible for MPC to recognise that and perhaps comp him based on his pre-18 flights.
The biggest problem for OP's son is that, if nothing can be arranged, it will take him at least 210K miles from nothing to Diamond. Perhaps if his son has already flown CX/KA very frequently before he turns 18, it may be possible for MPC to recognise that and perhaps comp him based on his pre-18 flights.
#11
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold(OWE), QF LTG, MR Plat, IHG Spire, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,156
It is very unlikely that CX will fast track anyone from nothing to a Gold status. CX does not even often comp people unless they flew CX/KA a lot. They may do that for some corporate deals. It may be easier to ask for special consideration for a DMP member.
The biggest problem for OP's son is that, if nothing can be arranged, it will take him at least 210K miles from nothing to Diamond. Perhaps if his son has already flown CX/KA very frequently before he turns 18, it may be possible for MPC to recognise that and perhaps comp him based on his pre-18 flights.
The biggest problem for OP's son is that, if nothing can be arranged, it will take him at least 210K miles from nothing to Diamond. Perhaps if his son has already flown CX/KA very frequently before he turns 18, it may be possible for MPC to recognise that and perhaps comp him based on his pre-18 flights.
As the OPs son is most likely to travel on CX, considering CX has apparently dropped OW Emeralds to below CX Gold, it might be best for the OP to go for CX Gold if they are largely travelling on CX as opposed to getting Emerald with someone else.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,485
Given your proclomation of flying F a whole lot, I presume you usually fly your son F too? In which case what's the need for status?
If it is for lounge access in the US then just buy an Admirals Club membership, or even give him an Amex Platinum chargecard. I don't think AC staff are going to recognise a HK issued one versus a US based one...if they even care.
If it is for lounge access in the US then just buy an Admirals Club membership, or even give him an Amex Platinum chargecard. I don't think AC staff are going to recognise a HK issued one versus a US based one...if they even care.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Given your proclomation of flying F a whole lot, I presume you usually fly your son F too? In which case what's the need for status?
If it is for lounge access in the US then just buy an Admirals Club membership, or even give him an Amex Platinum chargecard. I don't think AC staff are going to recognise a HK issued one versus a US based one...if they even care.
If it is for lounge access in the US then just buy an Admirals Club membership, or even give him an Amex Platinum chargecard. I don't think AC staff are going to recognise a HK issued one versus a US based one...if they even care.
You are very correct that status is not quite useful if flying F all the time.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,945
With your contacts within CX (which I assume you have considering your CX "Invitation" status), any chance you could ask them to fast track your son's status? Gold status alone would ensure that he would get domestic lounge access in the US. Also sticking with CX means that should anything happen you again can use your contacts higher up the food chain to sort things out.
And INs below Diamond Plus!