Over the past 1.5 years I've had significant exposure to and use of AAdvantage frequent flyer program. Upon a comparison to the QFF program, AAdvantage awards require significantly less points for international fares on Qantas metal. In addition, applicable taxes when redeeming through AAdvantage are substantially less then on QFF, and that's when flying on Qantas metal.
By way of example, I recently flew Qantas first class from Dublin - Sydney (via London) for 80,000 AA miles plus AU$87.90 taxes and charges. The exact same award seat on the Qantas site (at the time I booked it) required 192,000 QFF miles plus approx AU$630.
I picked up the 80,000 AA miles through a heavily discounted points purchase and was able to redeem immediately, which worked out extremely well for me on that occasion. I've also since amassed some AA miles through crediting AA when flying AA's partners.
With a view to increasing my AAdvantage mileage balance, I'm wondering if anyone among us is aware of tricks, means, ways to earn in the AAdvantage program from Australia other than through flying.
The only method I'm aware of is by getting miles into Starwood and then transferring 1:1 to AAdvantage. From Australia, it's possible to transfer from AU American Express Rewards to Starwood at 1:0.5. The David Jones AMEX cards provide a neat way of getting AA miles through the Starwood program.
Are there any others? I'd be grateful for any input or tips.
Hi Matthew, can you explain your question a bit more? The rewards you earn from DJ Amex will be either Amex Rewards points or Qantas Rewards points. I’m confused by your reference to ‘AA’. Do you mean ‘AA’ as in AU American Express? AA is also commonly used to refer to American Airlines and their program called AAdvantage.
Jack - your note on the David Jones Amex route is very appropriate, a great secret that this earns at 2 MR : 1 SPG and offers 4 MR points at DJ’s, 3 at Supers/Fuel, 1 elsewhere.
Other than hotel stays and accruing your Qantas flights to AAdvantage, there’s not many other options.
A small other earner for me - Europcar car rentals. They earn 50 AAdvantage miles per day, which on a longer term rental can add up to a larger earn than you would get from other programs.
A good way of getting more AA miles is varying your hotel booking methods. Use Rocketmiles at least once which often has a 3000-5000 first bonus.Long term I find it overpriced.
AA shopping portal has Accor, Crowne Plaza, and Choice (quality inn etc) at 3 miles a dollar. Book when there is a 500 or 1000 mile bonus for spending on the portal. In my experience all IHG brands earn miles, even if the link only specifies Crowne Plaza.
If flying in Europe pick BA or Iberia, whose cheapest economy fares earn 100% and 80% respectively on AA. If flying to Dublin regularly, SYD-SIN-LHR-DUB on BA would be a tidy earner at nearly 22,000 miles return even in discount economy.