Airline Collaborations: Functions and Member Airlines within Various Alliances
In the world of frequent travel, airline alliances play a significant role in providing passengers with a multitude of options. Here's a breakdown of the three major alliances: Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and Oneworld.
Star Alliance
Formed in 1997, Star Alliance boasts 26 member airlines, including United Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines. Frequent Star Alliance travelers might find the New UnitedSM Explorer Card beneficial, offering 2 miles per dollar spent with United and on restaurants and hotel stays, along with 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. New cardholders can also enjoy a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
SkyTeam
Established in 2000, SkyTeam has 19 member airlines, such as Delta Air Lines, Air France, and Korean Air. SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus members can enjoy SkyPriority benefits, which include priority check-in, preferred seating, and priority boarding. Ruby members receive additional perks like priority on standby and waitlists.
SkyTeam members can also redeem miles from one airline's loyalty program for flights with another airline within the same alliance. For SkyTeam members, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card could be a good choice, offering 2 miles per dollar spent on Delta and 1 mile on other purchases, along with a welcome bonus of 60,000 Bonus Miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Oneworld
Launched in 1999, Oneworld has 13 member airlines, including British Airways, American Airlines, and Qantas. Oneworld Emerald members receive all benefits of Sapphire members, plus first class priority check-in and fast-track security. Sapphire members, in turn, receive benefits like priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and business class lounge access.
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is a good option for Oneworld members, offering 2 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else, along with a welcome bonus of 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days. Another option is the British Airways Visa Signature® Card, which offers 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening, and earns 3 Avios per dollar spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and LEVEL, 2 Avios per dollar spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel, and 1 Avios per dollar spent on all other purchases.
One notable feature of Oneworld is the Travel Together Ticket, which can be earned by spending $30,000 in a year with the British Airways Visa Signature® Card. This ticket allows you to book airfare for a companion for just the cost of taxes and fees.
While Oneworld does not have specific benefits mentioned for earning elite status through its alliance, it's worth noting that Oneworld members include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and more.
In conclusion, airline alliances offer a wealth of benefits to frequent travelers, from earning miles across multiple carriers to enjoying priority services and redeeming miles for flights with other airlines within the same alliance. Whether you're a Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld traveler, there's a card that could suit your needs.
