Originally Posted by
sfozrhfco
It is not even a possibility through OW Connect. Non sponsoring airlines only provide priority boarding and checkin and that is it.
Let me put it this way: assuming AA would OK OW Connect membership for AS but say “we’re not sponsoring them”, I don’t see them trashing the existing AA earn/burn relationship.
I think there is zero chance AS gets in without AA’s assent, even if there is no AA sponsorship, and zero chance AA is going to let AS members earn domestically and have AS elites be OW Sapphires/Emeralds on AA planes. OW Connect would allow the status quo to be formalized, and for AS to keep being pals with BA/CX/QF/etc. OW Connect lets AA continue to be standoffish since you get ZERO benefit on AA as an AS elite if AA is a non-sponsor. The only one who has to extend benefits is AS.
Originally Posted by
VegasGambler
If the sponsors are already partners... it sounds like AS customers don't get anything new?
Exactly, though I could see AY/CX/JL maybe doing some lounge reciprocity in HKG/HEL/HND/NRT with AS similar to BA at LHR or QF in Australia (and JL and CX could use the Alaska Lounge in SEA). But again, this is small beer. It’s not a bad thing, but it’s not amazing.