Fiji Airways to become full oneworld member and adpot AAdvantage program

[justinbrett]

Good news. I am aware of minor rifts between QF and FJ, but an airline partly owned by QF is finally coming into the alliance, and it’s a small but important boost to QF’s security in the alliance which is threatened by QR’s internal campaign against QF in oneworld. QF and FJ also have a codeshare agreement in place which can be expanded.

The next step should be QF increasing its stake in FJ (I think it’s only 16%?), and using their privilege as a founding member to veto WY’s application for OW. WY is nothing more than the sidekick of QR.

It’s looking good for Qantas as they are on track to have four US/pacific partners (FJ, AA, AS and HA) through oneworld.

I’ve said it before and apparently I have to say it again.

There are no rifts to speak of between QF and FJ. As airlines they get on like a house on fire.

The issues were from the Fijian government introducing a Fijian nationality requirement for QF’s share of FJ’s board seats.

 

[SYD]

Of course, this latest announcement is mainly for the benefit of FJ Tabua Club members (all 5* of them ) and setting them up for full OW entry (current Tabua works a bit like paid QP and then status through flying).

The down side is they may not get lounge access in the US (unless they setup some reciprocal arrangement like QF has with AA for QP members)?

It will certainly also be handy for AA members who are happy to bounce through NAN on Transpacific flights (and there are are a LOT of options with FJ now) and earn status if they don’t have a US CC…

*obviously tongue in check but I wonder how many TC members there?

 

[moa999]

To some extent Tabua Club is similar to Admirals Club in that you need the paid membership to access home lounges, so maybe this added to the attractiveness of AAs program over say QFs.

And as SYD notes that might extend to US lounges.

Anyhow be interesting to see the full details. Presume it will kick in when FJ joins oneworld.

 

[justinbrett]

Of course, this latest announcement is mainly for the benefit of FJ Tabua Club members (all 5* of them ) and setting them up for full OW entry (current Tabua works a bit like paid QP and then status through flying).

The down side is they may not get lounge access in the US (unless they setup some reciprocal arrangement like QF has with AA for QP members)?

It will certainly also be handy for AA members who are happy to bounce through NAN on Transpacific flights (and there are are a LOT of options with FJ now) and earn status if they don’t have a US CC…

*obviously tongue in check but I wonder how many TC members there?

Actually it raises an interesting question, will FJ elites get AA lounge access on US domestic itineraries? Or will they be treated the same as AA elites?

 

[SYD]

Actually it raises an interesting question, will FJ elites get AA lounge access on US domestic itineraries? Or will they be treated the same as AA elites?

That was the gist of my post.

It appears that this is more than just adopting AAdvantage miles as a FF “currency” (akin to QR and AY adopting Avios). It’s unclear if there will still be a TC or it’s all in with AA or some hybrid?

When the details are published, no doubt there’ll be regular AA frequent flyers looking closely for potential hacks.

 

[justinbrett]

The seeds have been sown for the Pacific Cartel

 

[AV8]

Wow did not see that coming. AA miles have just become even more valuable.

AA have a sale on Purchasing miles and increased purchase up to 400,000 - offer closes June 30.

 

[bdfly]

I have a somewhat-related question to this thread:

Two passengers, both QF WP, travelling together on different tickets, one travelling on a QF codeshare and the other on the FJ code for the same flight (both are 081 tickets issued by Qantas; the former paid and the latter a Classic Reward redemption).

Assuming FJ is a Oneworld Connect partner, can both passengers access the first lounge in Australia?

 

[SYD]

I have a somewhat-related question to this thread:

Two passengers, both QF WP, travelling together on different tickets, one travelling on a QF codeshare and the other on the FJ code for the same flight (both are 081 tickets issued by Qantas; the former paid and the latter a Classic Reward redemption).

Assuming FJ is a Oneworld Connect partner, can both passengers access the first lounge in Australia?

QF codeshare can access the F lounge but for now, FJ code cannot. In fact, unless the FJ is booked in J, there’s no lounge access at all.

Unfortunately, the rules state that the QF code PAX can only guest someone flying on a QF, JQ, EK or OW flight number (not including FJ).

Qantas Lounge Access Eligibility | Qantas

Find out more on Qantas Lounge access eligibility whether your traveling in First, Business; are a Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qantas Club or oneworld member.

www.qantas.com

 

[bdfly]

QF codeshare can access the F lounge but for now, FJ code cannot. In fact, unless the FJ is booked in J, there’s no lounge access at all.

Unfortunately, the rules state that the QF code PAX can only guest someone flying on a QF, JQ, EK or OW flight number (not including FJ).

Qantas Lounge Access Eligibility | Qantas

Find out more on Qantas Lounge access eligibility whether your traveling in First, Business; are a Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qantas Club or oneworld member.

www.qantas.com

Thank you!

 

[Warragul]

Thank you!

If the companion is on QF codeshare (FJ metal) can the WP on the same booking in Y guest them in to the F lounge? I fear not as the note under the table says a "One accompanying guest permitted and must be travelling on QF, JQ or oneworld marketed and operated flight on the same day.".

 

[Isolar]

If the companion is on QF codeshare (FJ metal) can the WP on the same booking in Y guest them in to the F lounge? I fear not as the note under the table says a "One accompanying guest permitted and must be travelling on QF, JQ or oneworld marketed and operated flight on the same day.".

In my experience, you can. We had booked a QF codeshare flight on Bangkok Airways (PG), SIN-USM. I was able to guest my partner (NB) into the QF First lounge at SIN.

Check carefully the qualification on the lounge access page. There is a * next to the "Qantas flight number" heading. Right down the bottom of the page the definition says:

"*The flight can be operated by a non-Qantas carrier, unless travelling with a Qantas Club Flexible membership."

 

[Warragul]

Check carefully the qualification on the lounge access page. There is a * next to the "Qantas flight number" heading. Right down the bottom of the page the definition says:

"*The flight can be operated by a non-Qantas carrier, unless travelling with a Qantas Club Flexible membership."

Thanks, Part of me says that * note refers to the WP gaining entry not the guest. Otherwise, what's the point of the first point re guest eligibility?

Its not like QF to have clear as mud explanatory information contradictions published is it.

 

[Flyfrequently]

In my experience, you can. We had booked a QF codeshare flight on Bangkok Airways (PG), SIN-USM. I was able to guest my partner (NB) into the QF First lounge at SIN.

Slightly OT @Isolar but if I may ask a question please re Blue Ribbon Lounge access in USM.
Were you flying J or Y?
If Y, could you guest your partner into the Lounge at USM? (we have had an aircraft change USM-SIN and downgraded to Y, I am SG but Mr Flyfrequently is silver.)

 

[Isolar]

Slightly OT @Isolar but if I may ask a question please re Blue Ribbon Lounge access in USM.
Were you flying J or Y?
If Y, could you guest your partner into the Lounge at USM? (we have had an aircraft change USM-SIN and downgraded to Y, I am SG but Mr Flyfrequently is silver.)

We were flying Y and not offered lounge access at USM at check-in. I popped into the lounge to see if we might have access and they said no, but we could pay for access if we wanted to.

TBH, it didn't look like anything special and there was plenty of seating at the gate, which while in a hut like structure was airconditioned. They also had free snacks and water, possibly hot drinks too but my memory is not 100% sure.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

Great to see FJ go from strength to strength

 

[Warragul]

In my experience, you can. We had booked a QF codeshare flight on Bangkok Airways (PG), SIN-USM. I was able to guest my partner (NB) into the QF First lounge at SIN.

Check carefully the qualification on the lounge access page. There is a * next to the "Qantas flight number" heading. Right down the bottom of the page the definition says:

"*The flight can be operated by a non-Qantas carrier, unless travelling with a Qantas Club Flexible membership."

The official reply from QF is the partner must be on QF,JQ or oneworld metal to be guested in.

 

[Flyfrequently]

We were flying Y and not offered lounge access at USM at check-in. I popped into the lounge to see if we might have access and they said no, but we could pay for access if we wanted to.

TBH, it didn't look like anything special and there was plenty of seating at the gate, which while in a hut like structure was airconditioned. They also had free snacks and water, possibly hot drinks too but my memory is not 100% sure.

Thanks for that information @Isolar
Will see what happens, 10 weeks away!