Fiji Airways to become full oneworld member

[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.