Okay I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, I did a quick Google but couldn't find the answer.
So I'm flying to the UK in July with Cathay pacific. As they are part of the one world group, do I earn FF points on both Asia Miles and qantas or I need to choose who I want to earn points with? I currently don't have either membership numbers against my booking so want to find out the best way before I add anything. Thanks.
I never fly qantas as they always work out more expensive. Usually fly with Singapore or Cathay. So guess that answers that, Asia Miles it is! Thanks for you answer :)
Qantas and Cathay codeshare - so theoretically, it's possible to use the points from from Qantas to book Cathay and vice versa. But in practice, it's not as easy since each program gives priority (and makes more reward seats available) to their own members.
Asia miles is best. Less miles and less fees for redemptions than QFF.
Agree! There's also less competition (in Australia) for their reward seats too - every time I've wanted to use it (about 10-15 times) on quite short notice, there's been seats available on the exact days I've wanted to fly.
Out of interest, were you redeeming for Economy or Business seat?
I did economy most of the time because I found that I got upgraded on 90% of my flights - regardless of my seat being a reward seat or a paid seat. I only did business a few times (in instances where I knew I was landing early in the morning and heading straight to the office!).
It was nice and easy each time.
@bobbified: What do think you reason is for your 90% upgrades? Status, frequent paying customer, handsome man/well dressed, early/late checkin, day of the week, sheer luck? I used to get upgraded a lot with Emirates. Their flights were heavily/over booked in Economy and not Bus. I had status and was a frequent buyer/flyer. No status now :((
@Peck: I had gold status at the time (which I now haven't had for about two years) from a credit card, rather than from flying a lot. The amount I was flying (3-4 times/year) was barely enough to qualify for silver. To be honest, I was actually surprised by the number of times I was upgraded. Between MEL<>HKG, I'd get upgraded to Premium or Business and within Asia where there's no Premium, I'd go straight to Business.
I used to select the seats online through Manage my Booking, but I thought it was pointless actually checking in online (and never did) because I'd need to take my check-in luggage to the counter anyway. Gold status meant that I could go check-in at the Business line so there was never much of a queue.
I haven't flown with Cathay much over the past couple of years since I lost my Gold, but the last time I did in January this year, I didn't have status and still got upgraded.
I honestly don't know why I get upgraded. I'm the last person you'd expect to see in Business - I'm always in shorts, singlet and thongs with bright coloured hair and a backpack. And I have an ugly mug. It seems to have been decided before I even get there. They only upgrade one leg at a time, so often I'd get off my flight in HKG for a connecting flight and there's someone already waiting at the end of the air-bridge with my new upgraded boarding pass.
Do you fly solo? You've got a slightly higher chance of getting an upgrade if you're flying solo compare to flying with a companion.
Do you fly solo? You've got a slightly higher chance of getting an upgrade if you're flying solo compare to flying with a companion.
I definitely agree with you. I do fly solo most of the time - except my last trip in January - I was flying with a mate (who's a gold qantas member) and he got left in economy on all 6 flights that we travelled on together. (We were on different reservation numbers (the computer would see me as a lone traveller), but checked in together at the same time at the desk (which further reinforces my thought that the upgrades are allocated before I even show up). Needless to say, I gave him a lot of cr*p! (although, I did kind of feel bad!) haha.
Must be the bogan look then. Guess I'll have to throw away the suits and business shirt as that hasn't been working for me lately. :D
You need to choose, you don't get both.
Really depends who's program you would benefit most from