Is there a need for a new Oneworld tier above Emerald?

[RooFlyer]

These spring to mind:
- anytime access to QF lounges
- extra legroom/front seat selection for free
- top pecking order for QF CRs

And consistent access to the Hobart call Centre.

 

[tdimdad]

If we turn this around, what would be the extra benefits offered to OWD's alliance-wide over and above OWE benefits?

Free extra legroom / preferred seat selection is offered for free by some airlines to OWE's, making this available at the "base" Emerald level (though, being dwindled down by some airlines), some offer proper priority call centre, etc.

What's something that you'd like to see and think could be delivered consistently to OWD's across the alliance that's not available to OWE's (at least partially)?

 

[I love to travel]

No. Platinum becomes the new Gold etc...

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Yeah, I can't see oneworld going out of its way to create a tier above Emerald to grant access to lounges that are specifically excluded from all oneworld agreements anyway, like Concorde Room. If the airlines wanted to, they could strike bilateral agreements for access to those lounges and for higher level treatment - like how AA ConciergeKey can access Concorde. Given BA booted Chairman's Lounge from Concorde access back when Qantas cosied up with Emirates though, it's fair to say, if BA wanted highest-tier Emerald members in its best lounge, they wouldn't have kicked them out.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

New tiers = someone gets devalued.

Less than 0.5% of frequent flyers have top-tier status, and even fewer % are in that ultra-top tier.

If anything - alliances could introduce a new lower tier.

 

[Forg]

If anything - alliances could introduce a new lower tier.

Now there’s a product a few of us AFF’ers should offer … it’s applicable across all airlines, it only costs $113.50 per year, and it doesn’t actually get you anything at all (not even a membership card).

 

[Mwenenzi]

If we turn this around, what would be the extra benefits offered to OWD's alliance-wide over and above OWE benefits?

Free extra legroom / preferred seat selection is offered for free by some airlines to OWE's, making this available at the "base" Emerald level (though, being dwindled down by some airlines), some offer proper priority call centre, etc.

What's something that you'd like to see and think could be delivered consistently to OWD's across the alliance that's not available to OWE's (at least partially)?

Preferred seat selection is for OW Ruby and above. Frequent Flyer Perks: oneworld Emerald & oneworld Sapphire

<snip>
Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating*
<snip>
* In accordance with the individual policy of the oneworld airline operating the flight.

Other than for CX have never seen in writing what that is for each OW airline. Does vary a lot.
AA have more "Preferred seat selection" for JV partners. MCE.

 

[leadman]

No!

 

[outthere1000]

I'm waiting for Star Alliance to recognise that some airlines have more than three tiers, eg, Air Canada. I'm SA Gold but Air Canada lifetime 75K and SuperElite this year (equivalent to QF lifetime Plat and P1). I understood some time ago that SA was thinking about it, but evidently went no further.

 

[aus_flyer]

AA Plat Pro used to OW Sapphire, but was upgraded.

Not quite. AA Plat Pro is (fairly) new and has always been Emerald. AA Platinum remains OW Sapphire.

 

[RooFlyer]

SuperElite this year (equivalent to QF lifetime Plat and P1)

Nice one! I had that for a couple of years and it was by far the best status level I have ever had. From what I've read on the Qantas P1 thread, Super Elite is much superior - but it may have been enhanced since I had it, a few years ago.

 

[outthere1000]

Nice one! I had that for a couple of years and it was by far the best status level I have ever had. From what I've read on the Qantas P1 thread, Super Elite is much superior - but it may have been enhanced since I had it, a few years ago.

SE is indeed a valuable status. Apart from the usual stuff most airlines offer (3 x 32kg checked bags; priority everything), there are helpful extras such as using the J-only United Arrivals Lounge at Heathrow even if not travelling in J, access to a Concierge via a dedicated phone number as well as via a worldwide toll-free phone number (concierge available 24/7, and it's rare to wait more than 20 seconds to be answered); even small but nice things such as being given first choice of meal in international J, etc). Dedicated SE check-in counter, but in Toronto one can check in at the Concierge's office for even more personal service. Other goodies include eUpgrade credits (used, obviously, for upgrades); Priority Rewards used for half-price points rewards tickets; Gold status passes to give away to others, as well as lounge passes to give away; also generous treatment with hotel quality etc when volunteering to get off an oversold flight, etc. In general, one gets very helpful and generous service all round (especially if you're also a 2-million miler, as I am).

 

[Isolar]

Not quite. AA Plat Pro is (fairly) new and has always been Emerald. AA Platinum remains OW Sapphire.

AAdvantage Platinum Pro was introduced in the 2017 membership year and was equivalent to OWS, the same as AAdvantage Platinum.

The upgrade to OWE took place on 30/6/2021. Good summary here: Platinum Pro Upgraded

 

[JohnK]

Ohi! Mai chai! Non! Nein!

 

[samh004]

I could see it being called Diamond, much to the chagrin of CX, but the issue really comes down to numbers of users in those levels at each airline as to what benefits could be expected/access to the best experiences. Think of it like the CL lounge or P1/CL getting reserved spots in the F lounge. What happens when there's a few dozen extra flyers, who with a different carrier are also able to access that benefit... it suddenly doesn't become a benefit anymore

 

[sudoer]

The following are the OW airlines I am aware of with an uber Emerald tier:
...
JL Diamond

JL has an incredibly complicated FF program but as I understand it, JL Diamond and JGC Premier are practically equal in terms of benefits. The key difference is JGC Premier has a reduced qualification target. Eligibility for JGC is holding a JAL co-branded credit card

JL's uber Emerald is Diamond Metal.

There's also AY Platinum Lumo, IB Plus Infinita, and AS MVP Gold 100K

 

[JessicaTam]

JL has an incredibly complicated FF program but as I understand it, JL Diamond and JGC Premier are practically equal in terms of benefits. The key difference is JGC Premier has a reduced qualification target. Eligibility for JGC is holding a JAL co-branded credit card

JL's uber Emerald is Diamond Metal.

There's also AY Platinum Lumo, IB Plus Infinita, and AS MVP Gold 100K

Thanks. Updated post #1.

 

[QPProletarian]

Just alliance-wide phone priority would be a big help.