It’s a big day for both Alaska Airlines and the oneworld alliance, as the Seattle-based airline has officially joined a global alliance today. This plan was initially announced in February 2020, just over a year ago. Let’s take a look at what we know about Alaska Airlines’ new membership in oneworld, as there are still…
Continue reading: Alaska Airlines Joins Oneworld Alliance: What You Need To Know
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
AS and AA move a small step closer to eventually merging. DL's aspirations in SEA will come under increasing pressure but I don't see DL giving up on the SEA gateway.
Fiji Airways is Oneworld Connect!! Who are you and what have you done with Ben?
I wouldn’t rule out a merger between AA and AS, but it won’t be anytime soon. AA is broke, and deeply in debt. Alaska still trying to make sense out of that overpriced VX acquisition. One thing is for sure they hate DL, and they gonna be a thorn on its side.
To confirm an MVP Gold can now access oneworld Sapphire lounges and AA Admirals Clubs, but only on an international ticket? So I can’t access these lounges when flying domestically?
A mostly good day for AS elites. Want to highlight that AS did also release details of status reciprocity with AA today as well: https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mileage-plan/how-to-earn-miles/airline-partners/american-airlines/elite-benefits
As a note, there are now earning charts posted for every oneworld partner. They seem to be distinct per-partner.
How soon will it be that American forces Alaska to move Mileage
Plan earning from the current true mileage based system to the AA revenue based system? It has got to be inevitable.
Once it does happen, my current high opinion of Alaska's FFP will be lost forever. In the meantime, given the same cheap fares, I will fly AS and get 5000+ FF miles for a transcon R/T, instead of AA for 300 FF miles.
@Ben, I would agree, a merger between AA and AS isn't on the immediate horizon but it is likely to be down the road. AA isn't broke. If they were, they'd file Chapter 11 and perhaps they will again and not hold off like they did post 9/11, which hurt them in many ways and allowed DL and UA to achieve far lower operating costs. AA has been doing a lot of things right in the last year and the rap they get isn't fully deserved. They're no better or worse than UA and slightly behind DL whose halo effect is more perception than reality. The hard truth is the industry cannot afford another year of billions in losses. The government isn't likely to step in again. The outcome of a further drop in travel demand is a series of government induced mergers, similar to what has happened in the financial services sector in 2008 in the name of too big to fail. AA/AS, UA/B6, DL/WN. The ULCCs can combine into one.
I'm an AA EXP and often fly AS on short hops from SFO -> SEA, so this is great news for me! Especially once reciprocal upgrades are rolled out.
Seems like the functionality isn't fully rolled out. I have my AAdvantage # in all my upcoming alaska reservations and it still shows Premium class as a $25 upgrade.
Hi Ben
Presently their are no award booking using Alaska miles on Alaska booking site from Toronto, Canada to Johannesbery, South Africa.
It with be interesting to see how much miles required to book on Qatar Airlines
as compared to Emirates
Ismail
Ben I get the potential of American expansion in Seattle but they are committed to LAX long term. American is building a $1.5 billion dollar renovation at LAX. I believe Delta committed to something similar.
I do not see the point of joining an alliance if you do not release any award space to partners! I have been looking for several trips for months with no luck (booking alaska flights with BA avios...have yet to see a single alaska flight be available on American's website). Starting to regret my decision to credit international flights to avios in hope of flying with alaska.....
So if I’m AS MVP and want to use these benefits on an only AA metal routing, where do I book? On AS.com I must fly one leg on AS and that can’t happen (flying PBI to KOA) I just want to fly AA. Do I book on AA.com and input my AS credentials? Seems to make zero sense to me.
@ Kyle -- Yep, just book through American and enter your Mileage Plan number, and you'll have access to these benefits.
Oneworld may be an alliance, but try interlining bags. Not required. Maybe AA will do it with AS though.
I'm just wondering when they'll update their booking codes look-up for JAL to re-enable redeeming for JAL F.
So there are no AS flights available for reward booking for AUS/ANC on the AA.COM site.
Is this a ramp-up problem or will they never show those on AA? If so what's the point of OneWorld membership?
They are now part of a worldwide alliance yet they match ONLY to us residents! Very limited view that people who live abroad cannot and will not fly AS?! Really.... Makes sense to go out of ones way to avoid AS flights if they think this way.
Not a big loss but you would think a DL elite or UA elite member is likely to also fly domestic flights
This might be a dumb question but my work travel is split almost 50/50 between American and Alaska and I’m wondering if I should be banking all miles with one airline to achieve higher status vs. gaining mid tier status with both. Is this possible? Would I simply list one frequent flyer number on all bookings? Thanks for any suggestions…
Well, I don't have many ways to get to Africa other than BA......and pay their horrible tax fees....anyone have any great ideas on how to get to Kenya other than using BA?