Let’s Explore the Oneworld Alliance

We’ve told our Pointsters about the Star Alliance Network in the past, and now we’re diving into our next alliance: the Oneworld Alliance.

About the Alliance

The Oneworld Alliance seeks to “provide the highest level of service and smoothest connections to more than 1,000 destinations around the globe,” according to the alliance’s website.

The alliance is made up of 13 airlines: American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair,  Iberia, Japan Airlines, Latam, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Fiji Airways, and Royal Air Maroc.

Earning and Redeeming

According to the Oneworld website, “Flying with Oneworld is like a gift that keeps on giving.”

When you book a trip with any member airline, you will start earning points. Regardless of what airline you use, you will accumulate points and will be able to redeem them with any eligible member airline or affiliate flight.

To put it simply, whenever you fly with member airlines on an eligible flight, you will earn points towards your tier status.

Tier Statuses

Ruby

Ruby status is the first of the three tier statuses provided through the Oneworld Alliance. Ruby privileges include:

• Access to Business Class priority check-in
• Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating*
• Priority on waitlists and when on standby*

Sapphire 

Sapphire status is the second of the three tier statuses provided through the Oneworld Alliance. Sapphire status gives travelers more privileges than Ruby members. Privileges include:

• 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**

“*In accordance with the individual policy of the Oneworld airline operating the flight.
**Priority baggage handling is not currently available on flights operated by British Airways. ***Extra baggage allowance for Sapphire frequent flyers

As a Sapphire frequent flyer, the following special baggage privileges will apply when you fly on oneworld airlines:

On international or domestic itineraries using the baggage allowance “weight” system – 15 kgs in addition to the ticketed Economy baggage allowance.
On international itineraries, that include domestic sectors, using the baggage allowance “piece” system – one additional bag*, weighing up to 23kgs, up to a maximum of two pieces.
On purely domestic itineraries, using the baggage allowance “piece” system, for tickets with no ticketed baggage entitlement – the assurance of one piece of checked baggage, weighing up to 23 kgs.
Customers travelling in First and Business Class cabins will, in most cases, receive an even greater free checked baggage allowance.

Note: This benefit is not available on British Airways’ ‘Hand Baggage Only/Basic’ fares.”

Emerald

The Emerald tier status is the most prestigious of the three tiers. Emerald members will receive more privileged than both Ruby and Sapphire members. Emerald members will receive:

• 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***
• Priority boarding
• Access to business class lounges
• Priority on waitlists and when on standby*
• Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating*

“***Extra baggage allowance for Emerald frequent flyers

As an Emerald frequent flyer, the following special baggage privileges will apply when you fly on oneworld airlines:

• On itineraries using the baggage allowance “weight” system – 20 kgs in addition to the ticketed cabin allowance.
• On itineraries using the “piece system” – one additional bag for free in addition to your ticketed baggage allowance.

Note: This benefit is not available on British Airways’ ‘Hand Baggage Only/Basic’ fares.

*In accordance with the individual policy of the oneworld airline operating the flight. 
**Priority baggage handling is not currently available on flights operated by British Airways.”

Perks

With more than 650 airport lounges around the world, the Oneworld Alliance gives travelers the opportunity to sit back and relax before their flights. Travelers are able to “unplug, unwind, or keep plugging away” in the Oneworld lounges, where food and beverages are available.

 

While there is no  standalone frequent flyer program for the Oneworld alliance, travelers will be able to earn and redeem miles solely by remaining loyal to the alliance.