Summary
- The AAdvantage loyalty program offers perks not only with American but across the oneworld network.
- Different levels of AAdvantage status correspond with oneworld Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald tiers.
- Oneworld elite perks include priority check-in, lounge access, and upgrades on select airlines like Qantas and British Airways.
For 43 years, American Airlines has run its AAdvantage loyalty program, making this the oldest airline loyalty program that still exists today. For 25 years, American has also been one of the leading partners of the oneworld global airline alliance.
As of July 2024, oneworld has 13 member airlines (which will grow to 15 next year) that carry over 500 million travelers annually to over 900 destinations in over 170 nations and territories globally.
As you rise through the ranks of the American AAdvantage food chain, you may wonder, “Where else can I use this?”. Fortunately, a higher American AAdvantage status can also score perks and rewards across the oneworld network. Here’s a quick primer on what American AAdvantage status can do for you elsewhere in oneworld.
How it all works
Like other major airlines, all you have to do to begin your American AAdvantage (and oneworld) journey is to sign up for the program. From there, it’s all about the math: The more miles you fly, the more points you earn.
To accelerate your path to higher status, you can sign up for and use an American-branded credit card. American awards an AAdvantage point for every dollar you spend elsewhere and 5 to 11 points for every dollar you spend directly with American.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Since American is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, the points you earn with American not only help you achieve higher AAdvantage tiers, but also to ascend into higher oneworld tiers.
It works like this: Once you hit AAdvantage Gold, you also automatically become oneworld Ruby. Once you hit standard Platinum status, you also become oneworld Sapphire. And when you reach the highest American AAdvantage tiers of Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum, you also reach the highest oneworld tier of Emerald.
As of July 2024, here are the 12 other oneworld airlines (besides American) that honor oneworld status:
- Alaska Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Finnair
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian
- Sri Lankan Airlines
By 2025, Oman Air and Fiji Airlines will also be oneworld partners, and Fiji has already adopted AAdvantage as its own loyalty program.
Related
How To Upgrade Your Next American Airlines Flight Using Frequent Flyer Miles
Perhaps the most straightforward way, though not the easiest, to score an upgrade is by earning miles and using them for the upgrade.
Here are your oneworld elite perks
So, now that you know how oneworld works alongside American AAdvantage and who else honors oneworld status, what can you expect when you use your status with other oneworld airlines?
No matter which oneworld airline you use, you can expect certain benefits from your elite status. For instance, oneworld Ruby status instantly unlocks priority check-in, preferred or pre-reserved seating, and waitlist/stand-by priority on all oneworld member airlines.
oneworld Sapphire status offers all the Ruby benefits in addition to business class airline lounge access, guaranteed priority boarding, and extra checked baggage allowance. At the highest oneworld status of Emerald, you enjoy all Ruby and Sapphire level benefits plus expedited security lane access, first class priority check-in, and access to first class lounges.
Image: American Airlines
Beyond the standard oneworld elite benefits, some oneworld partners provide additional benefits to American AAdvantage members. If you fly with Alaska, British Airways, and/or Iberia, these airlines let you use AAdvantage points to upgrade to premium economy or business class. If you fly to and/or from Australia with Qantas, they will allow you to use AAdvantage miles for business class upgrades on select flights.
Related
American Airlines Announces Additional Benefits For Frequent Flyers
Members of the carrier's AAdvantage loyalty program will soon be able to redeem miles for concerts and First Class dining in the Flagship Lounges.
9
Always check the fine print
While American AAdvantage elite status instantly unlocks benefits throughout the oneworld network, keep in mind that it won’t automatically give you all the benefits everywhere. Unlike the specific airlines listed above, neither Cathay Pacific nor Qatar allows AAdvantage points to score upgrades. As noted by The Points Guy, Alaska is currently the only oneworld airline offering a full status match to American AAdvantage elite members.
Whenever you decide to fly with another oneworld airline, always check with them and with American to get a better idea of what exactly they will provide for AAdvantage members. When you book directly with them, check their respective websites to see what they offer in addition to the baseline oneworld elite benefits.
Even when you book codeshare flights via American, check in advance for the operating airline’s individual policies on matters like checked baggage and passport/document checks.
Photo: oneworld
With all this said, you can rest assured that your hard-earned American AAdvantage status will take you far throughout oneworld. From guaranteed priority check-in to easier opportunities for business class upgrades, a high status with American really can help you travel across the oneworld network in true style.
AAdvantage
- Participating Airlines:
- American Airlines
- Owner:
- American Airlines
- Region:
- North America
- Countries:
- United States
- Established Date:
- 1981-05-01
- Airline Loyalty
- Worldwide
- Guides
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