which OneWorld FF program to join??

[sm]

I have booked a round the orld ticket with One World but have not joined a FF program yet. I notice that some of the partner airlines offer free membership while others (like Qantas) charge a fee.

Is there any disadvantage to joining a program like Cathay's? ...and does anyone have advice on which One World partner's FF program is the best?

 

[Rossmurdoch]

If you are an occasional flyer who does not expect to get status bonuses with Qantas, Asia Miles is a good choice if you don't want to pay a joining fee. Remember that you are unlikley to be able to tie your AUD credit cards into the program.

 

[shillard]

I have booked a round the orld ticket with One World but have not joined a FF program yet. I notice that some of the partner airlines offer free membership while others (like Qantas) charge a fee.

Is there any disadvantage to joining a program like Cathay's? ...and does anyone have advice on which One World partner's FF program is the best?

Amazing, you'll spend $2K or more on plane tickets, but baulk at $60 for a FF programme fee......

QF offers the best programme in the world, not just in OneWorld, particularly if you dish out for QF Club membership. You'll get full points and status credits for all OneWorld flights with QF membership - something you DON'T get with BA.

If you do achieve Elite (Gold or Platinum) status with QF, you will also get complimentary lounge access - no such luck with AA.

 

[dajop]

QF offers the best programme in the world, not just in OneWorld, particularly if you dish out for QF Club membership. You'll get full points and status credits for all OneWorld flights with QF membership - something you DON'T get with BA.

If you do achieve Elite (Gold or Platinum) status with QF, you will also get complimentary lounge access - no such luck with AA.

Totally agree.

Even if you only fly occasionally and have no hope of reaching Gold or Platinum (or even Silver), if you live in Australia you'd be mad to consider anything else. The redemption "bar" starts at a mere 3,000 points for one-way upgrades, or 20,000 points for return domestic flights. This probably makes it easier to achieve awards. And provided you do not want to fly at peak times of the day or peak times of the year, usually you can find a redemption seat.

 

[icemann]

If you have an overseas address, (NOT NZ), you can skip the one time payment of $60-70 for the joining fee. I know people who have done that because they had an overseas address and they frequently travel back home on business.

 

[wleong]

The best time to get free membership was last year when the ANZ Telstra Visa was closing down and replaced by the ANZ Qantas Visa card. If you were holding onto the Telstra Visa card (or applied for one before the cut off date) and you did not have a FF account, you would have got one for free. It took them (Bank/Qantas) around 8 months before they set up the account and transferred the points over.

 

[QF WP]

So sm, have you taken the flight yet?? Which program did you join?? What do you think now of the benefits you got??

(Edited due to poor proof reading)

 

[shillard]

So sm, have you taken the flight yet?? Which program did you join?? What do you think now of the benefits you got??

(Edited due to poor proof reading)

I thought poor proof reading usually showed up as paw poof reading?

 

[QF WP]

Scott, if I was using a spell checker - sometimes my typing leaves a little to be desired...

 

[thadocta]

You and NM have a LOT in common - both WP, both in BrisVegas, both extremely poor spellers.

Dave

 

[straitman]

Its mazing wot a god spell chequer ill duo four yaw.

 

[QF WP]

But Dave I don't use a spell checker here, but my trping leaves a little to be desired. Hey, I don't claim to be perfect (Mrs LW is, so is my mum!!)