In March we learned about LEVEL, the new longhaul low cost carrier being launched by IAG, the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Vueling.
LEVEL A330
The airline is IAG’s response to competitors like Norwegian and WOW Air, which have been giving them a run for their money in the transatlantic market.
WOW Air A330
LEVEL’s first four routes, all operated by A330s, include the following:
- Flights to Los Angeles started on June 1, 2017 and operate twice per week
- Flights to Oakland started on June 2, 2017 and operate three times per week
- Flights to Punta Cana start on June 10, 2017 and operate twice per week
- Flights to Buenos Aires start on June 17, 2017 and operate three times per week
LEVEL A330 economy
As you can see, LEVEL just started service a couple of days ago, so I’m sure a lot of people are booked on them and trying to decide where to credit their miles. We’ve know that it’s possible to collect British Airways and Iberia Avios, but what about partner currencies?
How many Avios do you earn for flights on LEVEL?
As a starting point, here’s how many Avios you’d earn directly with the British Airways and Iberia programs for travel on LEVEL:
You’ll see that at the bottom it says you can’t earn miles with oneworld airlines for travel on LEVEL, but that’s not actually true.
You can earn American AAdvantage miles for travel on LEVEL
American AAdvantage has just published a mileage earning table for travel on LEVEL. You can earn AAdvantage redeemable miles for travel on LEVEL, but you can’t earn elite qualifying miles. Furthermore, only the flights between Barcelona and the US are eligible for mileage accrual, and not LEVEL’s other flights.
With that in mind, you earn the following number of AAdvantage miles for LEVEL flights:
- Premium Economy (W) — 110%
- Premium Economy (E, T) — 100%
- Economy (Y, B, H) — 100%
- Economy (K, M, L) — 50%
- Economy (V, S, N) — 25%
- Economy (O, Q, A) — 10%
Obviously these totals aren’t all that generous, but then again, I wasn’t expecting them to be, given that this is an ultra low cost carrier. So on the cheapest transatlantic flights you’d just earn a bit over 1,000 miles for a roundtrip ticket, which isn’t much, but is better than nothing.
As you can see, the mileage earning rates are mostly the same with American and British Airways/Iberia. The only difference is that the latter collects 150% miles for the most expensive premium economy fares, while AAdvantage only earns 110% miles.
LEVEL A330 premium economy
What about elite benefits on LEVEL?
Unfortunately you won’t get any oneworld perks for travel on LEVEL, including lounge access, priority check-in, etc. LEVEL is being treated similarly to Vueling for those purposes, as it’s another way they’re saving on costs as much as possible.
Unfortunately oneworld Emerald members flying LEVEL out of LAX can’t use the Qantas First Lounge
Bottom line
While you won’t earn a ton of miles for discounted flights on LEVEL, the earnings rates are actually better than I was expecting. Initially they said you wouldn’t be able to earn miles with oneworld partners, though at least you can earn American AAdvantage redeemable miles for these flights.
Have you booked a ticket on LEVEL? Which program do you plan on crediting to?
I booked two American Airlines Award Tickets using miles round trip JFK to Barcelona. Outbound on American but returning on Level. American booked seats for me on the Level flight with no extra charge. American is also telling me I will get two free checked bags per person on Level...which is usually only the case for Premium Class on Level. Does that sound right, or will I get stuck paying to get my bags home?...
I booked two American Airlines Award Tickets using miles round trip JFK to Barcelona. Outbound on American but returning on Level. American booked seats for me on the Level flight with no extra charge. American is also telling me I will get two free checked bags per person on Level...which is usually only the case for Premium Class on Level. Does that sound right, or will I get stuck paying to get my bags home? No luck getting answers from Level. My booking doesn’t even show up on their website.
I've booked my ticket through Orbitz. Traveling from Boston to Barcelona And I thought I was traveling through Iberia not level since I never heard of it . Anyways I tried claiming my miles with royal Jordanian and my claim was rejected . I found that interesting that I flew on a one world flight that is operated by another airline . Common sense says I should get my miles .
Just taken Level flights and now over 7 days have passed and no points on BAEC. Very disappointed. Submitted a claim through BAEC, no option to select Level Airlines. Claimed under Iberia (as flights still operated under IB flight number) and claim was rejected. They said we are not eligible for any avios for these flights (booking class A). What utter bull. Tried calling BAEC, waited for over 1hr on the phone, no answer. I am a bronze member.
How do you even credit to AA on Iberia's site? I can't see any option for another airline besides Avios with my reservation or under account preferences.
Anyone know if BAEC members receive tier points?
@mkcol The wording does not make it clear that BCN is their hub.
@Adam and @Flyingfish: BCN is indeed LEVEL's hub.
@Adam & @Flyingfish
But Lucky does say they go from Barcelona, I guess you just didn't read that. And I'm sure it couldn't have been too hard for you to Google the answer to check. Unless you need spoonfed everything.
Yeah, was wondering where is the base hub too.
Not much point telling us where the flights go to if you're not going to tell us where they leave from.
LAX-BCN RT 12,050 miles * 10% = 1,205
Hypothetical AA $369 fare * 5 miles = 1,845
Almost as generous, but also revenue based earning sucks.
I thought that you don't get any elite benefits whatsoever... But I just discovered in my reservation that you can select seats for free (including exit rows) even on the lowest fare (A Class) if you are a AA Plat/EP member... Too bad it doesn't work for AA Gold (also tried that). So maybe on paper you don't get any elite benefits, but you actually get some if the ticket is purchased as IB. We'll find out... maybe I can get free checked luggage also.