Those frequent flyers holding Emerald or Sapphire cards can expect more loyalty benefits rolling out as of today [02Dec14]. The two additional perks are aimed at allowing more baggage on any oneworld member airline and perhaps as crucial, speeding up baggage delivery post flight. These new benefits are available in any booking class on top of what is already offered to Emerald and Sapphire members.
Previously priority baggage delivery was exclusively aimed at passengers travelling in the pointy end, business and first class, but is now offered across any oneworld member holding equivalent status and is not just for the premium class bookings.
Not only will bags meet you off the aircraft quicker, but they will also be heavier to lift off the belts thanks to the increased weight allowances. Those travelling in economy received 15kgs on top of the ticketed allowance. Business class the anti is raised to 23kgs on top of the initial inclusions in the form of an extra piece. First class passengers will be permitted an ever greater free checked baggage allowance again in most cases.
Worth noting is that on domestic routes where no baggage is included on the ticket, this will now be trumped by your Emerald or Sapphire status and one piece at 23kgs allowed. This is a huge win for those going via the US on American Airlines.
A snapshot of oneworld:
- Voted Skytrax’s world best airline alliance 2014 for the second year running.
- Alliance includes 15 of the world’s foremost airlines such as American Airlines (including US Airways), British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN Airlines, TAM Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and SriLankan Airlines, and around 30 affiliates.
- Averages 14,000 daily departures from nearly 1000 global airports across 150 countries. 3,500 aircraft carry 510million passengers annually bringing US$145billion in revenue.