
Aditya Bagaria
Your guide to Oneworld!
Updated: Dec 17, 2020

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!