Has anyone seen any details on the frequent flyer program details planned for oneworld yet? Specifically, I am hoping that they are going to have a miles combination provision (ala US Air and American alliance) allowing you to pool the miles of the various airlines toward awards of any of them, rather than just making persons in each of the various airlines' programs eligible for every award in other lines' programs (ala Delta and United combination). Any details would be appreciated, if anyone has heard anything.
We just went to London last month, and flew British Airways, and now have some orphan British Airways miles that I am not sure we will have any ability to otherwise recover in the near future. Would love to combine them with American mileage.
Thanks.

Hopefully they will have "pooling," as I too have BA miles to combine with AA. (Too bad the current agreement AA&BA has doesn't allow for trans-Atlantic flt miles to count for elite status.) Here's the info from the oneworld home page (www.oneworldalliance.com)
it doesn't really give any specifices, mostly all fluff. Finnair just officially joined the alliance, and Iberia, Aerolineas Argentinas, JAL, Malev, and some others are rumored to be possible future partners also.

WHAT oneworld� WILL OFFER

The key elements of oneworld�: oneworld is a
global brand alliance among five of the world's leading airlines.

oneworld carriers will make it as easy as possible for passengers to connect between one another's flights, effectively creating a worldwide route network that will make global travel more convenient for consumers.

oneworld airlines also intend to enhance existing co-operation in the field of frequent flyer programmes, enabling them in particular to provide more opportunities for mileage awards, wider recognition for top-tier customers and access to more airport clubs and lounges.

oneworld is not a code-sharing alliance, although some oneworld members already code-share with one another, and others may code-share with one another in the future, outside the oneworld agreement. While it does not specifically apply to cargo activities,
the airlines involved are working on a series of initiatives to enable them to offer improved services to their freight and mail customers.

oneworld is about people, not planes: oneworld will provide an unprecedented level of support to travellers through highly-trained employees both on the ground
and in the air. Comprehensive training programmes are being launched today, to ensure customer service staff are equipped to provide oneworld services and care to passengers from all oneworld carriers from the time the new benefits are introduced. Employees will have ready access to oneworld reference material, with information contained in the computer reservations systems of each partner airline. A help desk will act as the central source of information for employees when enquiries can't be handled immediately.

oneworld will offer superior, seamless service: Each oneworld partner already has a reputation for excellence and customer service both in its home region and globally, and the oneworld airlines' route networks and schedules complement one another. oneworld will connect these networks to deliver
"seamless service" to the customer. oneworld will raise the standards of global air travel and make it simpler and more convenient by effectively providing a worldwide route network and global customer support.
Smoother airport connections, and the intention to enhance opportunities to earn mileage awards through frequent flyer programmes, and provide reciprocal access to lounges mean oneworld customers will gain
more rewards, greater recognition, and better value.

The oneworld brand is about bringing people
together: The name oneworld and the oneworld logo represent togetherness and unity. They reflect who we are and what we are doing - airlines working together to bring the peoples of the world closer together. The
simple logo was designed to be easy to spot in crowded airports, and a symbol of worldwide support for oneworld customers.

The business case for oneworld: In today's global economy, customers want to travel worldwide, which makes it harder and harder for any one airline to "go it alone". Since it is not practical or economical for any
one carrier to build a route network that encompasses the entire globe, airlines must form relationships with other carriers to help them expand their networks to remain competitive. Some of the world's largest airlines have expanded their global networks by forming relationships with other major carriers, creating a competitive advantage over airlines that don't have brand alliances.

oneworld's long-term strategy: We expect other airlines with the proper geographic and product fit to join oneworld as time progresses, enabling us to build the world's leading airline brand alliance. Launching
something completely new like this is a complicated matter, requiring coordination between the airlines involved. We think it is sensible to get it off the ground with a handful of participating airlines and then add more later, but we will not speculate about which other airlines might join in the future.

djlawman - BA (US) offers a 'household account' - up to four members of a household may pool their miles. 4 (economy, non-elite ff) return trips from the east coast to the UK will give you between 26 & 27k miles, which are valid for five years. You can get a free economy trip with conUS/Canada on BA or AA for 25k miles. The minimum number of miles for a free trip to Europe in the offseason is 40k miles. You could get a BA visa (probably not ideal if your primary allegiance is to another airline), AT&T gives BA miles, and Diners also allows you to convert points to miles. I believe that Diners have had a 1 point = 1 BA mile special offer each summer for the last few years, so...

maybe those miles will be useful after all?

My understanding is that the first batch of FF integration will be launched in March.

Although this may 'slip' depending on aquisitions/partners over the next couple of months.

Add AerLingus to your list of potential partners!
MF

Told you so!!!

Nick

Nick: if you/I bet an all horses - we will have picked the winner for sure ...

(I know you need a challenge from time to time, and I am only a poor "substitute" for "the tree" here - but because it is your birthday - take it).

Happy birthday to you Nick!

Well because of that I will not tell you my news about SAA or Delta.

I see my bottle of XO is my only real friend....

ok - don't tell just write it down - thank you - and prosit!

Happy Birthday, Merry! Celebrate today and post the news about DL and SAA whenever you've got time. Thanks!

Happy birthday, Nick! - From Cambridge, USA

And from Washington, DC - Happy Birthday Merry!!!

merry, happy birthday!! consider the state of michigan represented in your birthday festivities.

See it's still April 30th here and its long past your bedtime Merry (we can extend your birthday for several hours by getting you up and flying west once in a while).

Ah, Nick, and I thought that I ranked up there with the XO

BB - Rudi and I started Nick's birthday early, by phoning him at midnight Swiss time on Thursday night/Friday morning. I was in London yesterday (Nick's official birthday), in honour of the event. Unfortunately events conspired to make us miss our meeting - bombs can put a damper on things.

Now I shall expect him to show up wherever I may be on my birthday

I promiss not to give that birthday date (baobab's) to anybody (Gisela found out using her secret service abilities).

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 05-02-99).]