AS as Potential oneworld Connect Member?
Nov 28, 2018, 10:44 am
#47
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP , Delta Gold Medallion, "Credit Card" status for various hotels
Posts: 672
Oneworld connect membership seems quite possible since that would essentially add a nice looking title to Alaska’s current Oneworld partnerships while likely changing very little. I don’t see how this would influence devaluations to mileage plan that wouldn’t have happened anyway.
I have a hard time seeing why Alaska would be interested in a full Oneworld membership. I also can’t see AA supporting it.
I have a hard time seeing why Alaska would be interested in a full Oneworld membership. I also can’t see AA supporting it.
Nov 28, 2018, 11:25 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Oneworld connect membership seems quite possible since that would essentially add a nice looking title to Alaska’s current Oneworld partnerships while likely changing very little. I don’t see how this would influence devaluations to mileage plan that wouldn’t have happened anyway.
Two similar questions:
1. Would Alaska have to change its one partner per redemption policy if they were to join oneworld connect?
2. Even if they wouldn't have to, would Alaska do it?
Alaska is already a bit limited (especially for people who live in places not served by Alaska) because of that one partner redemption rule, but it would become even more limited if booking all OW alliance airlines (some of whom I think don't connect to Alaska anywhere) were possible.
Nov 28, 2018, 12:02 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,389
Really, this is going to be small beer for AS MP members; we’ll get some things from partners like BA (which we already have) but if everyone is thinking they’ll be sipping champagne in the AA Flagship Lounge as a OWE via MVPG75K, or cashing in for QR redemptions, it’s not happening. This is tailor-made to be low-impact and opt-in.
Nov 28, 2018, 12:28 pm
#50
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
Nov 28, 2018, 12:48 pm
#51
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
The Connect partner provides that to non-sponsor OW airlines’ elites but I’m not seeing anything in the press release (and on FJ’s website for that matter) that non-sponsor airlines provide any benefits, including those above, to Connect partner’s elites. The only clearly reciprocal benefits are between the sponsors and the Connect partner.
Nov 28, 2018, 3:15 pm
#52
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,848
True, it looks like the other airlines are not under any obligation to recognize the Connect partner at all but the Connect partner must give those benefits to OW elites. Seems to be skewed towards benefiting OW more than the Connect partner as very few benefits accrue from the Connect partner going in the other direction.
Nov 28, 2018, 3:25 pm
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,846
Nov 28, 2018, 3:32 pm
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Nov 28, 2018, 3:34 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,389
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.
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.
Last edited by eponymous_coward; Nov 28, 2018 at 3:41 pm
Nov 28, 2018, 4:44 pm
#58
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Programs: A3 *G, AA exePlat, AS MVP 75k Gold, JL sapphire, UA silver
Posts: 4,035
For self interest, it is better AS wont join oneworld connect as I have oneworld emerald status already. so AS joining wont gain for me at all. however, it seems that AS is keen to join.
Nov 28, 2018, 4:53 pm
#59
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
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.
Unfortunately, my 45 mile transfer from Toyko to NRT took 4 hrs 30 mins (1 hr 35 mins to travel 1 mile onto the freeway) and I arrived at the airport 35 minute before departure so I wasn't able to enjoy the QF Lounge there. Check-in had already been closed for 25 minutes but an amazing JAL staff of 4 processed my ticket, provided my boarding pass, wheeled my bag across the floor for direct delivery to the plane, escorted me through "staff only" security to the front of the line ahead of pilots and FA's, got me through immigration and ran with me to the plane where they were anticipating my arrival. Something special on the west shores of the Pacific.
James
Nov 28, 2018, 4:54 pm
#60
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 659
So basically, if AS joined OWC, we'd get priority boarding & priority check-in for the all OW airlines, but no ability to earn EQM on the 6 that are not AS partners?
So all we're really getting is priority check-in and boarding for the 7 OW AS partners (AA, BA, CX, AY, JL, LA, QF)?
I mean... it's not nothing, I'll take it... but it's not Earth shattering news.
So all we're really getting is priority check-in and boarding for the 7 OW AS partners (AA, BA, CX, AY, JL, LA, QF)?
I mean... it's not nothing, I'll take it... but it's not Earth shattering news.