Your guide to Oneworld!

Whenever you have traveled on American Airlines within the States, you may have noticed the purple button logo signifying American’s partnership with the Oneworld alliance.

Airlines:

1. American Airlines

2. British Airways

3. Cathay Pacific

4. Finnair

5. Iberia

6. Japan Airlines

7. Malaysia Airlines

8. Qantas

9. Qatar

10. Royal Air Maroc

11. Royal Jordanian

12. S7 Airlines

13. Srilankan Airlines

Status:

If you hold qualifying status with any Oneworld member, you will have either Oneworld Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald Status. For this example, let’s assume I am an American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum member which grants me Emerald Oneworld Status. If I book a flight on British Airways, I am sure to put my AAdvantage number into the booking (done at the time of booking or on the reservation page). As soon as I link my British Airways reservation with my American AAdvantage number, British Airways verifies the number with the Oneworld server and recognizes my Emerald Status. This is extremely valuable as it lets every Oneworld member know I am a special customer and allows me to access lounges, priority boarding, etc.

Benefits:

Oneworld Emerald

• Access to First and Business Class lounges

• Access to First Class priority check-in

• Fast track at select security lanes

• Priority baggage handling

• Extra baggage allowance (extra 20 kg if “weight system” used or extra piece if “piece system” used)

• Priority boarding

• Priority on waitlists and when on standby

• Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating

Oneworld Sapphire

• Access to Business Class lounges

• Access to Business Class priority check-in

• Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating

• Priority on waitlists and when on standby

• Priority boarding

• Extra baggage allowance

• Priority baggage handling

Oneworld Ruby

• Access to Business Class priority check-in

• Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating

• Priority on waitlists and when on standby

Bottom Line:

The benefits really begin with Oneworld Sapphire. I would suggest that lounge access is one of the most valuable benefits given that you can save money on drinks and expensive airport food! Keep in mind that Oneworld is one of the smaller alliances so if you are a frequent-flier, it may be better to give your business to Star Alliance or Skyteam. Alliance status is a major perk when traveling abroad or in economy class. It can get you free upgrades, lounge access, and more!