Yesterday, I wrote about the ability to redeem AAdvantage miles on US Airways and vice versa (read more here), but those were not the only benefits introduced.
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January 7, 2014, was the customer day one. American Airlines and US Airways frequent fliers are now able to collect award and elite qualifying miles on each others flights.
Here are the benefits launched on January 7, 2014:
- Earning (award & elite qualifying) and using award miles on both airlines.
- Elite member benefits such as priority check in, boarding and baggage. Access to preferred seats but not to upgrades. Complimentary checked bag(s) per policies of each carriers.
- American Airlines AAdmirals Club and US Airways Club members have reciprocal access to each others clubs.
The following benefits will be implemented in the coming months:
- A codeshare agreement to provide easy access to each airline’s global network. The first phase of the codeshare is expected to be available in the coming weeks.
- US Airways’ exit from the Star Alliance on March 30, 2014 and entry into the oneworld® alliance on March 31, 2014.
- Co-location of additional ticket counters and gates in key markets, including Miami and Phoenix, as well as other domestic and international stations is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter.
- Alignment of select frequent flyer program policies, including upgrades.
Conclusion
It is going to be a long process before this merger of airlines and frequent flier programs is all said and done.
For both American Airlines and US Airways frequent flier, the ability to get upgrades on both airlines must be the top priority (it is at least for me).
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
