Over the next year, Fiji Airways will make American Airlines AAdvantage its loyalty program, both airlines announced this week.
Passengers flying with American and Fiji will enjoy reciprocal loyalty benefits such as priority check-in as well as AAdvantage elite status member benefits such as priority boarding, complimentary checked bags and complimentary access to Preferred and Main Cabin Extra seats.
The announcement comes just weeks after Fiji was approved to become the newest member of the Oneworld Alliance by 2025.
“We are delighted with the positive impact this collaboration will have on our airlines and our customers who will benefit from exclusive advantages,” Fiji Managing Director and CEO Andrew Viljoen said in a statement.
A deepening partnership
The two airlines have a partnership in the past, albeit a more limited one. Previously, American Airlines loyal customers could earn and redeem AAdvantage miles on select Fiji flights. However, Fiji Airways flights did not count toward AAdvantage elite status.
And although their relationship would have already been strengthened with Fiji’s entry into Oneworld in 2025, Fiji Airways’ decision to adopt the AAdvantage frequent flyer program represents a much more significant connection between the two carriers.
“We are taking our partnership with Fiji Airways even further by offering our mutual customers the opportunity to discover more destinations and travel experiences through the AAdvantage program,” U.S. Vice President of Partnerships Anmol Bhargava said in a statement.
Share loyalty programs
It is not uncommon for one airline to adopt another’s loyalty program.
For example, many airlines in Europe and around the world use Avios reward currency, including British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus (all owned by the same parent company, International Airlines Group), as well as Finnair and Qatar Airways.
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In fact, American Airlines made a similar decision not long ago. In March, TPG announced that South American carrier JetSmart would also adopt AAdvantage as its loyalty program.
Travel with Fiji Airways
Fiji currently serves 26 destinations in 15 countries and territories around the world.
In addition to service to Hawaii, the carrier operates contiguous nonstop U.S. flights to West Coast gateways Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), both with an Airbus A350-900.
There is no confirmed date yet for the official merger of the two airlines – the transfer will take place “in the coming year”, the companies said.
Maximize your purchase
Would you like to accumulate AAdvantage miles for a future flight to Fiji? For a limited time, new cardholders who add the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) to their wallet can earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first three month following account opening.
The card, which comes with a $595 annual fee, also includes free access to American’s Admirals Clubs network.
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News Source : thepointsguy.com
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