When it comes to choosing a frequent flyer programme within the Oneworld alliance, travellers have a variety of options, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Whether you’re based in Europe, North America, or Australasia, selecting the right programme can make a significant difference in how you earn miles, achieve elite status, and redeem rewards. In this review, we’ll take a deep dive into the top three Oneworld frequent flyer programmes – British Airways Executive Club, American Airlines AAdvantage, and Qantas Frequent Flyer. We’ll examine how easy it is to obtain status, the cost of earning that status, and how user-friendly each programme is when it comes to redeeming points for business and first class travel. Join us as we explore which programme truly stands out as the best option for frequent flyers within the Oneworld alliance.
British Airways Executive Club
How easy is it to obtain status with lounge access?
British Airways Executive Club offers three elite status tiers with lounge access: Silver (Oneworld Sapphire) and Gold (Oneworld Emerald). Reaching Silver status, which grants lounge access, requires 600 Tier Points in a membership year—achievable with a few long-haul business class flights or several short-haul trips in higher fare classes.
How much would it typically cost to obtain this tier?
To achieve Silver status, it would typically cost around £2,500-£4,000 depending on the fare classes and routes chosen. For instance, a return business class flight from London to New York on a flexible ticket could earn around 280 Tier Points, bringing you nearly halfway to Silver in just one trip. There are also clever shortcuts available on partner airlines.
How easy is it to redeem points for business and first class?
Redeeming Avios for business and first class can be straightforward, especially if you plan well in advance. British Airways releases award seats 355 days before departure, with the best availability right when booking opens. However, availability can be competitive on popular routes, and hefty taxes and fees can diminish the value of redemptions.
Do points expire? If so, how long?
Avios do not expire as long as your account is active, meaning you must earn, redeem, or purchase Avios within a 36-month period to keep them from expiring.
Where in the world is it best to be based to take advantage of the programme?
The British Airways Executive Club is most advantageous for travellers based in the UK or Europe, particularly near London Heathrow, Gatwick, or other major hubs where British Airways operates a large number of flights.
Who is the programme best for?
This programme is ideal for frequent business travellers who often fly from the UK or Europe and value easy access to a vast network of Oneworld airlines. It’s also great for those who can make the most of British Airways’ extensive route network.
Who is the programme worst for?
It’s less suitable for those who primarily fly economy, as the Tier Points earning rate can be slow. Additionally, the high taxes and fees on award tickets make it less attractive for those seeking low-cost redemptions.
Are there other ways to earn points, such as a credit card?
Yes, there are several ways to earn Avios outside of flying. British Airways has partnerships with various credit card providers, including the British Airways American Express cards, which offer Avios for everyday spending. Additionally, you can earn Avios through hotel stays, car rentals, shopping with partners, and by using the BA eStore.
American Airlines AAdvantage
How easy is it to obtain status with lounge access?
AAdvantage offers three elite tiers with lounge access: Platinum (Oneworld Sapphire), Platinum Pro (Oneworld Sapphire), and Executive Platinum (Oneworld Emerald). To achieve Platinum status, you need 30,000 Loyalty Points within a membership year, which is relatively accessible for frequent flyers.
How much would it typically cost to obtain this tier?
Achieving Platinum status could cost anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000, depending on the fare classes and distance flown. For example, flying transatlantic business class round-trip multiple times would easily get you to Platinum status.
How easy is it to redeem points for business and first class?
AAdvantage is known for its relatively generous award availability, especially for business and first class on American Airlines and partner airlines. However, some popular routes and peak travel times can be more challenging to secure. Taxes and fees are generally lower than those imposed by British Airways.
Do points expire? If so, how long?
AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months of inactivity. However, any activity, such as earning or redeeming miles, will reset the clock.
Where in the world is it best to be based to take advantage of the programme?
The AAdvantage programme is best suited for travellers based in North America, particularly those near American Airlines hubs like Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, Miami, or Los Angeles.
Who is the programme best for?
This programme is perfect for North American travellers who frequently fly domestically or internationally with American Airlines and Oneworld partners. It’s also beneficial for those who appreciate lower taxes and fees on award redemptions.
Who is the programme worst for?
It’s less ideal for travellers based outside North America, where American Airlines has fewer direct routes. Additionally, those who don’t frequently fly or engage in other mileage-earning activities may struggle to keep their miles from expiring.
Are there other ways to earn points, such as a credit card?
Yes, American Airlines has partnerships with various credit card providers, including Citi and Barclays, which offer AAdvantage miles for everyday spending. The AAdvantage Aviator and Citi AAdvantage cards are popular choices, offering significant sign-up bonuses and additional miles for purchases. Miles can also be earned through hotel stays, car rentals, and shopping with partners.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
How easy is it to obtain status with lounge access?
Qantas Frequent Flyer offers Silver (Oneworld Ruby) as the first tier, but you need to reach Gold (Oneworld Sapphire) for lounge access. Achieving Gold requires 700 Status Credits in a membership year, which is moderately challenging but attainable with regular international travel or frequent domestic flights in premium cabins.
How much would it typically cost to obtain this tier?
Earning Gold status typically costs between AUD $5,000 and $8,000, depending on the routes and fare classes. For example, a round-trip business class flight from Sydney to London could earn over 400 Status Credits, getting you more than halfway to Gold.
How easy is it to redeem points for business and first class?
Redeeming Qantas Points for business and first class seats can be difficult, particularly on popular international routes. Award availability on Qantas flights is limited, especially in premium cabins, so booking well in advance or being flexible with dates is crucial. Partner awards, particularly with airlines like Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines, offer better availability.
Do points expire? If so, how long?
Qantas Points expire if there is no activity on your account for 18 months. As long as you earn or redeem points, your balance remains active.
Where in the world is it best to be based to take advantage of the programme?
The Qantas Frequent Flyer programme is most advantageous for travellers based in Australia or New Zealand, where Qantas dominates the market and offers extensive domestic and international routes.
Who is the programme best for?
This programme is ideal for Australians and New Zealanders who frequently travel domestically and internationally, particularly with Qantas and its Oneworld partners. It’s also beneficial for those who value access to Qantas’ excellent lounges.
Who is the programme worst for?
It’s less suitable for those based outside Australasia, where Qantas flights are less frequent and Status Credits are harder to earn. Additionally, the limited award availability can be frustrating for those looking to redeem points for premium travel.
Are there other ways to earn points, such as a credit card?
Yes, Qantas Frequent Flyer members can earn points through a variety of credit cards offered by banks such as ANZ, Westpac, and Commonwealth Bank. These cards often come with generous sign-up bonuses and earn points on everyday spending. Qantas Points can also be accumulated through partnerships with hotels, car rental companies, and by shopping with Qantas-affiliated retailers.
What about the others that didn’t make the top 3?
While the British Airways Executive Club, American Airlines AAdvantage, and Qantas Frequent Flyer programmes make the top 3 for our review of Oneworld frequent flyer programmes, several other’s also deserve mention. For example, the Cathay Pacific Marco Polo Club and Japan Airlines Mileage Bank offer competitive benefits, particularly for those based in Asia, with strong networks and decent redemption opportunities. However, their relatively high thresholds for elite status and limited availability of premium awards can make them less attractive for travellers outside their home regions. Additionally, some smaller Oneworld programmes like Finnair Plus and Malaysia Airlines Enrich offer niche advantages, such as easier access to upgrades and lower-tier elite status, but they often lack the global reach and versatility of the top three. These factors ultimately kept them from ranking higher in our review.
Which is the worst Oneworld programme?
SriLankan Airlines’ FlySmiLes programme is often regarded as one of the weaker options within the Oneworld alliance due to its limited earning and redemption opportunities. With a relatively small route network, earning miles largely depends on flying with SriLankan or its Oneworld partners, where the earning rates are often lower. Redeeming miles can be tricky, with limited availability, particularly in premium cabins, and high mileage requirements. Additionally, the surcharges and fees on award tickets can further reduce the value of redemptions, making the programme less rewarding overall.
FlySmiLes also lacks the strong partnerships and non-flight earning opportunities that you find in other Oneworld programmes, like British Airways Executive Club or American Airlines AAdvantage. With fewer co-branded credit cards and partner options, it’s harder for members to accumulate miles through everyday activities. For our review of Oneworld frequent flyer programmes, these factors, combined with the programme’s limited benefits, make FlySmiLes less appealing for frequent flyers who prioritise flexibility, easy redemptions, and a wide range of earning opportunities.
BG1 Verdict
After comparing the top three Oneworld frequent flyer programmes in our review, it’s clear that each has its strengths depending on your location and travel habits. British Airways Executive Club is best for those based in the UK or Europe who value extensive network access, despite high taxes on redemptions. American Airlines AAdvantage stands out for North American travellers, offering easy status earning, relatively low redemption fees, and multiple ways to earn miles beyond flying. Qantas Frequent Flyer is ideal for Australasians but falls short on award availability. Overall, American Airlines AAdvantage edges out the others due to its balance of ease in earning status, generous award availability, lower redemption costs, and multiple earning opportunities, making it the best Oneworld programme for the majority of travellers.
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