Sometime next year, Fiji Airways will replace American Airlines Advantage their frequent flyer programs, the two airlines announced this week.
Passengers flying on both American and Fiji will be able to enjoy reciprocal loyalty benefits such as priority check-in as well as AAdvantage elite status member perks such as priority boarding flights, free checked baggage and free access to Priority and Extra Cabin seats.
The announcement comes just weeks after Fiji received approval to become the newest member of the Oneworld Alliance in 2025.
Fiji Managing Director and CEO Andrew Viljoen said: “We are excited about the positive impact this partnership will have on both our airlines and our customers who will benefit from exclusive privileges.” in a statement.
The partnership is deepening
The two airlines do have a partnership, albeit a more limited one. Previously, American Airlines loyalists could earn and redeem AAdvantage miles on select Fiji flights. However, Fiji Airways flights do not count towards AAdvantage elite status.
And while their relationship was supposed to be cemented when Fiji joins Oneworld in 2025, Fiji Airways’ decision to adopt the AAdvantage frequent flyer program is a much more important link between the two carriers.
American Vice President of Partnerships Anmol Bhargava said in a statement: “We are taking our partnership with Fiji Airways one step further by offering our mutual customers the opportunity to opportunity to discover more destinations and travel experiences through the AAdvantage program.”
Share your loyalty program
It is not unheard of for an airline to adopt another airline’s loyalty program.
For example, many airlines in Europe and around the world use bonus coins. Hello, including British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus (all owned by the same parent company, International Airlines Group), as well as Finnair and Qatar Airways.
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In fact, American Airlines made a similar move not long ago. In March, TPG reported South American airline JetSmart will also adopt AAdvantage as its loyalty program.
Fly on Fiji Airways
Fiji currently flies to 26 destinations in 15 countries and territories worldwide.
In addition to service to Hawaii, the airline operates adjacent nonstop U.S. flights to West Coast gateways Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) — both using Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
There is no official date yet confirmed for the two airlines to join forces – the companies say the move will take place “in the coming year”.
Maximize your purchases
Hoping to earn AAdvantage miles for a future flight to Fiji? For a limited time, new cardholders add Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see prices and fees) into their wallet can earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 within the first three months of opening the account.
This card has an annual fee of $595 and includes free access to American’s network. Admirals Club.
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