Hi, in the next few months I will hit LTG with Qantas, I still have 30-35 years of a career ahead of me, so possibly lots of flying. I am wondering if I should move from Oneworld to another alliance that can also offer lifetime status. I cant seem to find a definitive answer on which airline program to go with. Most of my flying at the moment is into Asia, and Qantas is good because I can direct flight to most countries, I'm not keen on adding extra flying by transiting through somewhere all of the time. Any thoughts on what people have done next after LTG and with who?
I believe BA has lifetime Gold (OW emerald) to go for at 35,000 tier points. I'm clearly aware it's still the OW alliance, but given you can fly on their metal to Singapore and back, and QF to other cities in Asia it may be worth going for. Qatar Airways currently has a 20% stake in BA's parent company IAG which also owns Iberia and Aer Lingus (among others). Interestingly, Qatar Airways also has a 9.6% stake in Cathay Pacific. So given the common ownership of these airlines, starting with BA may be way to maintain perks on these airlines if there are major changes to the OW group in the future which, incidentally, BA's CEO Willie Walsh has commented on previously.
I believe BA has lifetime Gold (OW emerald) to go for at 35,000 tier points. I'm clearly aware it's still the OW alliance, but given you can fly on their metal to Singapore and back, and QF to other cities in Asia it may be worth going for. Qatar Airways currently has a 20% stake in BA's parent company IAG which also owns Iberia and Aer Lingus (among others). Interestingly, Qatar Airways also has a 9.6% stake in Cathay Pacific. So given the common ownership of these airlines, starting with BA may be way to maintain perks on these airlines if there are major changes to the OW group in the future which, incidentally, BA's CEO Willie Walsh has commented on previously.
Asiana can offer lifetime star alliance gold after 1,000,000 miles collected in their program (and the million miles don't need to be collected on Asiana so airlines like Singapore Airlines or Thai count as well).
BA is a good option as already suggested. The other option would be becoming a member of a Star Alliance airline program. My personal experience goes back to when I lived in the US for a while and flew United a lot and accrued miles on the United mileage plus program. Upon returning to live in Asia and Australia I kept my United FF account active on all my Star Alliance travels and ended up flying over 1,000,000 miles and got lifetime gold. I am on my way to lifetime gold with QF and not far off. This helps keep ones lifetime gold feet in both the Star and OneWorld camps.
Be aware that Lifetime Status goals could change or the goal could be eliminated entirely. Airlines can collapse or sell off their reward schemes and benefits can be eroded over time. Airlines may give some warning about changes related to Lifetime Status but if you're a long way off 6-18 months warning may be way below what you'd need.
I achieved life time gold about 12 years ago and have been retired for four years. I was a platinum until my retirement. My advice is just enjoy it. It was a great asset leading up to retirement and has been a greater asset since.
Asiana can offer lifetime star alliance gold after 1,000,000 miles collected in their program (and the million miles don't need to be collected on Asiana so airlines like Singapore Airlines or Thai count as well).
Unfortunately Lifetime Gold is the end of the road with Qantas. I have over 40,000 status credits with Qantas but any amount above the qualifying amount of 14,000 counts for little, other than showing your loyalty to Qantas when you had options. Lifetime Platinum would have been nice (and appropriate IMHO)
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Hitting Lifetime Gold, what next?
Ff84
Ff84
QFF
Member since 03 Apr 2016
Total posts 12
Hi, in the next few months I will hit LTG with Qantas, I still have 30-35 years of a career ahead of me, so possibly lots of flying. I am wondering if I should move from Oneworld to another alliance that can also offer lifetime status. I cant seem to find a definitive answer on which airline program to go with. Most of my flying at the moment is into Asia, and Qantas is good because I can direct flight to most countries, I'm not keen on adding extra flying by transiting through somewhere all of the time. Any thoughts on what people have done next after LTG and with who?
Theresnormissin
Theresnormissin
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 14 Oct 2016
Total posts 153
I believe BA has lifetime Gold (OW emerald) to go for at 35,000 tier points. I'm clearly aware it's still the OW alliance, but given you can fly on their metal to Singapore and back, and QF to other cities in Asia it may be worth going for. Qatar Airways currently has a 20% stake in BA's parent company IAG which also owns Iberia and Aer Lingus (among others). Interestingly, Qatar Airways also has a 9.6% stake in Cathay Pacific. So given the common ownership of these airlines, starting with BA may be way to maintain perks on these airlines if there are major changes to the OW group in the future which, incidentally, BA's CEO Willie Walsh has commented on previously.
Ff84
Ff84
QFF
Member since 03 Apr 2016
Total posts 12
That is a good option, I work for a British company so I also travel to the UK twice a year.
henrus
henrus
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Oct 2013
Total posts 766
As others have suggested BA is a good option.
Theresnormissin
Theresnormissin
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 14 Oct 2016
Total posts 153
At the OP, sounds like you are pretty methodical in your research, but definitely have a play with BA's calculator to see how long it may take you.
sanj747
sanj747
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 01 Nov 2016
Total posts 146
BA is a good option as already suggested. The other option would be becoming a member of a Star Alliance airline program. My personal experience goes back to when I lived in the US for a while and flew United a lot and accrued miles on the United mileage plus program. Upon returning to live in Asia and Australia I kept my United FF account active on all my Star Alliance travels and ended up flying over 1,000,000 miles and got lifetime gold. I am on my way to lifetime gold with QF and not far off. This helps keep ones lifetime gold feet in both the Star and OneWorld camps.
mviy
mviy
Member since 05 May 2016
Total posts 322
Be aware that Lifetime Status goals could change or the goal could be eliminated entirely. Airlines can collapse or sell off their reward schemes and benefits can be eroded over time.
Airlines may give some warning about changes related to Lifetime Status but if you're a long way off 6-18 months warning may be way below what you'd need.
PB57
PB57
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 08 Nov 2014
Total posts 23
I achieved life time gold about 12 years ago and have been retired for four years. I was a platinum until my retirement. My advice is just enjoy it. It was a great asset leading up to retirement and has been a greater asset since.
asw
asw
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 08 Aug 2012
Total posts 11
Asiana can offer lifetime star alliance gold after 1,000,000 miles collected in their program (and the million miles don't need to be collected on Asiana so airlines like Singapore Airlines or Thai count as well).
Its even easier. Asiana Diamond Plus = *A Gold. Lifetime is reached at 500,000 miles. Asiana Club - Membership Program
Red Cee
Red Cee
Member since 15 Feb 2018
Total posts 151
Enjoy Life Time Gold with Qantas.
petdav
petdav
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 22 Apr 2018
Total posts 3
Unfortunately Lifetime Gold is the end of the road with Qantas. I have over 40,000 status credits with Qantas but any amount above the qualifying amount of 14,000 counts for little, other than showing your loyalty to Qantas when you had options. Lifetime Platinum would have been nice (and appropriate IMHO)