Article: Oneworld Connect is a Confusing Arrangement for Passengers

[AFF Editor]

Oneworld Connect: A Confusing Arrangement for Passengers is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

Oneworld Connect: A Confusing Arrangement for Passengers

When you fly a Oneworld Connect airline like Fiji Airways, you only get a limited and confusing sub-set of the usual Oneworld alliance benefits.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[SYD]

The OW CEO is on record suggesting FJ will be the first and last OWC airline.

Oneworld’s CEO on new members, a digital platform and interest in Indian and Latin American markets – Business Traveller

Business Traveller attended a roundtable discussion with Nat Pieper to discuss the alliance’s past, present and future.

www.businesstraveller.com

It certainly was a dog’s breakfast of an arrangement.

At least the Oz lounge access has improved ahead of full OW membership has improved.

Curious if that memo has reached the QF F lounges in LAX and SIN?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A way to remove the confusion is to expect nothing, and then be pleasantly surprised when you get benefits.

Don’t expect to use the lounge, but be happy if you can. Don’t expect priority baggage, but be happy if it is, etc.

Same with Star Alliance connecting partners… expect nothing as the starting point and build up from there

There are some codeshare arrangements that can be a lot more confusing!

 

[Scarlett]

Is oneworld connect more or less confusing than VAs hodgepodge set up?

I’ve not used FJ since the ‘connect’ was established, but I’d have thought there would just be a single page explanation, but then of course you get how each other *O airline applies benefits.

 

[serfty]

Is oneworld connect more or less confusing than VAs hodgepodge set up?

It's probably more confusing given the little info available and inconsistency of application of that information. At least VA's lounge access guide is pretty definitive.

 

[AFF Editor]

I’ve not used FJ since the ‘connect’ was established, but I’d have thought there would just be a single page explanation, but then of course you get how each other *O airline applies benefits.

Not quite a single page - the FAQs document on the Fiji Airways website is 11 pages long! And it left me more confused than when I started reading it...

https://www.fijiairways.com/sites/default/files/2020-05/fj-oneworld-connect-faqs-v20.pdf

 

[easypete]

Agree, quite confusing. Just this week in Nadi was limited to one guest (wife) as a Qantas Gold travelling on QF ticket and metal. However, had kids in tow, any child over 3 they considered a guest. Never had that problem in other OW member lounges.

I later noticed no guests are permitted on FJ ticketed flights too.

 

[SYD]

Agree, quite confusing. Just this week in Nadi was limited to one guest (wife) as a Qantas Gold travelling on QF ticket and metal. However, had kids in tow, any child over 3 they considered a guest. Never had that problem in other OW member lounges.

I later noticed no guests are permitted on FJ ticketed flights too.

That’s probably a local crowd control measure - there are A LOT of kids going back and fourth to NAN (especially during school hols).

 

[elanshin]

Agree, quite confusing. Just this week in Nadi was limited to one guest (wife) as a Qantas Gold travelling on QF ticket and metal. However, had kids in tow, any child over 3 they considered a guest. Never had that problem in other OW member lounges.

I later noticed no guests are permitted on FJ ticketed flights too.

Do you mean you never had any problems at AA/QF lounges? You most certainly would have had problems at other OW lounges like CX and JL as kids count as guests.