AA Marketed, IB Ticketed, Level Operated
Apr 20, 2017 | 11:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AA ExPlat
Posts: 4
AA Marketed, IB Ticketed, Level Operated
Hey all,
Looking at an AA marketed R/T ticket which is AA operated outbound and Level (IAG's soon to be launched low cost, transatlantic airline) operated return on an Iberia codeshare.
My understanding is I should accrue normally to Aadvantage since it is a AA sold ticket, but would any benefits apply via the Iberia codeshare or AA ticket? Or will I be flying Level without any status? I'd imagine I should at least get some baggage benefits on an Iberia ticketed flight - Level's baggage policy is quite restrictive (http://www.flylevel.com/your_journey).
I can't find much info on Level - they haven't flown a flight yet. Technically it isn't even a codeshare because Level will launch using "IB" codes. Does that make it a Oneworld flight?
Thanks!
Looking at an AA marketed R/T ticket which is AA operated outbound and Level (IAG's soon to be launched low cost, transatlantic airline) operated return on an Iberia codeshare.
My understanding is I should accrue normally to Aadvantage since it is a AA sold ticket, but would any benefits apply via the Iberia codeshare or AA ticket? Or will I be flying Level without any status? I'd imagine I should at least get some baggage benefits on an Iberia ticketed flight - Level's baggage policy is quite restrictive (http://www.flylevel.com/your_journey).
I can't find much info on Level - they haven't flown a flight yet. Technically it isn't even a codeshare because Level will launch using "IB" codes. Does that make it a Oneworld flight?
Thanks!
May 2, 2017 | 7:40 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: MR Gold, Hilton Diamond, Mlia Platinum, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 1,197
I know an exception exists for earning mileage on flights marketed by Oneworld airlines but operated by non-oneworld airlines.
See what is written on this page: (highlighted in bold)
As Level is not a OneWorld airline or affiliate airline (exact the same case as Vueling) I don't think you will earn mileage on this flight)
As Level is not a OneWorld airline I suppose none of your status benefits will apply to the booking either. Same is true for Vueling so I don't see a reason this will be different with Vueling.
See what is written on this page: (highlighted in bold)
To earn AAdvantage miles when you fly on Iberia marketed and operated flights as well as Iberia codeshare flights operated by oneworldcarriers and affiliates:
Buy an eligible published fare ticket in an eligible booking code
Fly an eligible route
Buy an eligible published fare ticket in an eligible booking code
Fly an eligible route
As Level is not a OneWorld airline I suppose none of your status benefits will apply to the booking either. Same is true for Vueling so I don't see a reason this will be different with Vueling.
May 2, 2017 | 9:25 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: JAX
Programs: Ex-BA/AA/CP/LY staff, BA Blue, IHG Diamond, Marriott Silver, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 3,756
I think you'll earn AAdvantage mileage, since you're booking the AA code (are there other AA codeshares out there that don't earn when crediting to AA?). AA don't codeshare with VY, so we can't quite compare there.
Although the flight will be IB operated, it'll be LEVEL branded - I wouldn't expect any oneworld benefits here. I would even compare this more to BA's OpenSkies, which although it even looked like BA, wasn't a oneworld affiliate at the time it launched (it is now).
AA miles on LEVEL? Probably. OWE benefits? Probably not.
Although the flight will be IB operated, it'll be LEVEL branded - I wouldn't expect any oneworld benefits here. I would even compare this more to BA's OpenSkies, which although it even looked like BA, wasn't a oneworld affiliate at the time it launched (it is now).
AA miles on LEVEL? Probably. OWE benefits? Probably not.
May 3, 2017 | 6:33 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Japan
Programs: NH Diamond, JL JGC Diamond, BA Gold Guest List(Gold for life), CX Diamond
Posts: 1,580
So, IMHO, this thread had better be moved to AA forum.
For example, JAL FFP earns status qualifying miles and status bonus on JL marketed non oneworld PG/EK/... operating flights.
Jun 24, 2017 | 5:19 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TLV now - formerly LAS
Programs: King of Rental Cars, AA MM Gold, A3 Gold, BA Gold, SK Gold,Virgin Atlantic Gold, Hotel SuperElite
Posts: 7,423
You will earn miles. I can not yet confirm OneWorld benefits.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...nes/iberia.jsp
"On LEVEL flights
Flights marketed by Iberia and operated by Iberia for LEVEL (IB2600 – IB2699) aren't eligible for AAdvantage mileage accrual with the exception of flights between:
Barcelona (BCN) – Los Angeles (LAX)
Barcelona (BCN) – Oakland (OAK)"
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...nes/iberia.jsp
"On LEVEL flights
Flights marketed by Iberia and operated by Iberia for LEVEL (IB2600 – IB2699) aren't eligible for AAdvantage mileage accrual with the exception of flights between:
Barcelona (BCN) – Los Angeles (LAX)
Barcelona (BCN) – Oakland (OAK)"
Jun 26, 2017 | 3:39 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,793
One things to watch out for with the Level options is the class of service vs. the type of reward you are seeking.
I was looking to book SFO-BCN and after seeing reports that IB flights are showing up on AA.com, so I opted to check it out for a business/first award.
I was hoping to see IB flights but instead saw Level flights to LAX from BCN. There is no business/first on the flight. But there would be first to/from LAX from SFO. Totally not worth it.
Unfortunately I have to stick with my flights via LHR that I was able to snag on a J saver award back in February. Trying really hard to avoid the taxes and fees at LHR but don't want to make the trip any longer than it already is going to be at this point.
I was looking to book SFO-BCN and after seeing reports that IB flights are showing up on AA.com, so I opted to check it out for a business/first award.
I was hoping to see IB flights but instead saw Level flights to LAX from BCN. There is no business/first on the flight. But there would be first to/from LAX from SFO. Totally not worth it.
Unfortunately I have to stick with my flights via LHR that I was able to snag on a J saver award back in February. Trying really hard to avoid the taxes and fees at LHR but don't want to make the trip any longer than it already is going to be at this point.
Jun 26, 2017 | 9:03 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG
Posts: 3,583
You will earn miles. I can not yet confirm OneWorld benefits.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...nes/iberia.jsp
"On LEVEL flights
Flights marketed by Iberia and operated by Iberia for LEVEL (IB2600 IB2699) aren't eligible for AAdvantage mileage accrual with the exception of flights between:
Barcelona (BCN) Los Angeles (LAX)
Barcelona (BCN) Oakland (OAK)"
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...nes/iberia.jsp
"On LEVEL flights
Flights marketed by Iberia and operated by Iberia for LEVEL (IB2600 IB2699) aren't eligible for AAdvantage mileage accrual with the exception of flights between:
Barcelona (BCN) Los Angeles (LAX)
Barcelona (BCN) Oakland (OAK)"
"Travel ticketed as an American Airlines marketed flight (booked as an AA flight number) and operated by Iberia will earn AAdvantage award miles, Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs), Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) and Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) according to the American mileage accrual chart."
A quick glance shows that IB2624 LAX-BCN is indeed being offered as AA8724, just as one example.
Jun 28, 2017 | 10:28 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: TLV now - formerly LAS
Programs: King of Rental Cars, AA MM Gold, A3 Gold, BA Gold, SK Gold,Virgin Atlantic Gold, Hotel SuperElite
Posts: 7,423
It doesn't sound like OP's flights were "marketed by Iberia," though -- if it has an AA flight number, it should be credited according to AA accrual rules. From that same page:
"Travel ticketed as an American Airlines marketed flight (booked as an AA flight number) and operated by Iberia will earn AAdvantage award miles, Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs), Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) and Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) according to the American mileage accrual chart."
A quick glance shows that IB2624 LAX-BCN is indeed being offered as AA8724, just as one example.
"Travel ticketed as an American Airlines marketed flight (booked as an AA flight number) and operated by Iberia will earn AAdvantage award miles, Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs), Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) and Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) according to the American mileage accrual chart."
A quick glance shows that IB2624 LAX-BCN is indeed being offered as AA8724, just as one example.