Fiji Airways - new BAEC partner incl. earn/burn and status benefits (start date TBC)
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2013
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Fiji Airways - new BAEC partner incl. earn/burn and status benefits (start date TBC)
Fiji Airways (FJ) is to become a BAEC partner under a new oneworld connect programme.
This will be a 'light' version of oneworld membership with limited benefits for most alliance members, but BA will be one of FJ's four sponsors, along with AA, CX and QF. This means BAEC members will be able to earn and spend on FJ and get status benefits including lounge access. No start date has been given yet.
FJ has direct flights to six BA gateways - see map below - and also serves several destinations in Aus and NZ, so this may open up some interesting redemption opportunities to that part of the world, subject to availability of course.
For revenue fares, BA currently codeshares on FJ's SIN-NAN service only - to be seen if codeshares will expand. FJ will also be included in oneworld explorer RTW fares.
Press release here: <link>
AusBT article here: <link> (this doesn't mention CX as one of the sponsors)
oneworld says it's also in discussion with other carriers interested in participating in the connect programme "from various parts of the world including the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe".
Note: One feature mentioned in the PR is through-check of baggage between FJ and its sponsors. Given BA's no through-check on separate bookings policy, I don't think this adds much since BA already interlines to FJ on single tickets. The rather niche difference is it (presumably) means BA will through-check on separate tickets under the same PNR, which it wouldn't do currently.
BA-FJ connections:
This will be a 'light' version of oneworld membership with limited benefits for most alliance members, but BA will be one of FJ's four sponsors, along with AA, CX and QF. This means BAEC members will be able to earn and spend on FJ and get status benefits including lounge access. No start date has been given yet.
FJ has direct flights to six BA gateways - see map below - and also serves several destinations in Aus and NZ, so this may open up some interesting redemption opportunities to that part of the world, subject to availability of course.
For revenue fares, BA currently codeshares on FJ's SIN-NAN service only - to be seen if codeshares will expand. FJ will also be included in oneworld explorer RTW fares.
Press release here: <link>
AusBT article here: <link> (this doesn't mention CX as one of the sponsors)
oneworld says it's also in discussion with other carriers interested in participating in the connect programme "from various parts of the world including the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe".
Note: One feature mentioned in the PR is through-check of baggage between FJ and its sponsors. Given BA's no through-check on separate bookings policy, I don't think this adds much since BA already interlines to FJ on single tickets. The rather niche difference is it (presumably) means BA will through-check on separate tickets under the same PNR, which it wouldn't do currently.
BA-FJ connections:
Last edited by Ldnn1; Jun 3, 2018 at 3:22 am
#2
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Thanks for posting this, it will fill an interesting gap in the Pacific route options. Air Fiji refurbished their Premier Lounge in Nadi a few months ago, it's still in the basement. but it's a very pleasant spot with good Indian heritage food. It is one of the stronger Priority Pass lounges (and was open to Qantas status passengers subject to various conditions).
https://www.fijiairways.com/about-fi...remier-lounge/
The Connect idea is interesting. It would seem an obvious route for Aer Lingus too.
https://www.fijiairways.com/about-fi...remier-lounge/
The Connect idea is interesting. It would seem an obvious route for Aer Lingus too.
#3
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https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...rline-partners
From the email
<snip>
oneworld is in discussion with other carriers interested in participating in the programme, from various parts of the world including the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe.
<sanip>
oneworld is in discussion with other carriers interested in participating in the programme, from various parts of the world including the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe.
<sanip>
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
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#5
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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I bet Air Italy (formerly Meridiana) is banging on this door already. Its second largest shareholder is also IAG's largest shareholder. Meridiana Club is based around Avios.
#7
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,660
And Alaska given its a ff partner of BA, CX, QF, FJ, JL, LA, AY, Aer Lingus and limited partner of AA
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...rline-partners
From the email
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...rline-partners
From the email
Back to FJ, as I was curious to see what partnerships they have, I went to their web site to look at FQTV program. They don't really seem to have one... rather, they have paid-for membership in "Tabua Club" which brings a host of benefits normally reserved for elite level FQTV members (priority reservations, priority check-in, lounge access, extra baggage allowance, upgrade credits...). Under "Earn frequent flyer points or status credits" it says you can credit to QF/AA/AS schemes when flying FJ as a Tabua Club member.
Last edited by Schultzois; Jun 3, 2018 at 4:06 am
#8
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Join Date: Aug 2013
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And Alaska given its a ff partner of BA, CX, QF, FJ, JL, LA, AY, Aer Lingus and limited partner of AA
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...rline-partners
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...rline-partners
#9
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Join Date: Aug 2013
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IAG formally stated in its bid for Aer Lingus that the intention was for it to join oneworld: IAG - International Airlines Group - News Release
However more recently the people in charge have poured cold water on that. As c-w-s says, this new connect programme would seem to provide a good solution.
However more recently the people in charge have poured cold water on that. As c-w-s says, this new connect programme would seem to provide a good solution.
#11
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#12
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I was hoping that it would be possible to originate in SIN but I can’t find the fare loaded in ba.com - else it will be another interesting opportunity for the annual 4 BA qualifying flights for residents in Asia / Singapore.
#13
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one major exception are EI flights between DUB and the UK which are bookable on BA.com as standalone BA codeshares, but EI being part of IAG is in a very different position compared to most codeshare agreements.
#14
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Good spot, although as above what may change is that some of those flights may become eligible to earn in BAEC where previously they weren't, e.g. AA*FJ LAX-NAN. (The T&C of Global Explorer are a bit unclear but as far as I'm aware the earning rules for Global Explorer flights are no different to other flights.)
#15
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Is this codeshare fare only if SIN-NAN is added to a LHR-SIN segment?
I was hoping that it would be possible to originate in SIN but I can’t find the fare loaded in ba.com - else it will be another interesting opportunity for the annual 4 BA qualifying flights for residents in Asia / Singapore.
I was hoping that it would be possible to originate in SIN but I can’t find the fare loaded in ba.com - else it will be another interesting opportunity for the annual 4 BA qualifying flights for residents in Asia / Singapore.