Latest news with #Oneworld


The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
British Airways reveals how you can use your Amex to earn points in new loyalty scheme
British Airways has revealed how passengers can now use their American Express credit card to earn points within its new loyalty scheme. In December, British Airways announced a huge shake-up to its loyalty programme, shifting its reward system from one based on distance flown to one based on the amount spent. Since its launch in April, passengers have been able to earn the new 'tier points' on flights with BA and Oneworld partners, BA Holidays and additional baggage payments, to name a few. The airline has now announced that passengers can also earn tier points with their British Airways American Express (Amex) Premium Plus credit cards. Passengers who hold this card and enrol on the offer before 25 January 2026, will be able to earn tier points when spending with their Amex until 1 February 2026. The new tier points unlock bonus Avios points, as well as different member statuses that will provide passengers with lounge access, additional baggage allowances and exclusive seats in the front rows of the plane. To unlock 750 tier points, £15,000 must be spent on the card. Another 750 tier points will be earned when spending a further £5,000, then an additional 1,000 tier points when spending a further £5,000. The total amount of tier points that can be earned through this offer is 2,500 after spending a total of £25,000. The relevant amount of tier points will be awarded once each spend threshold is met. After this offer expires in February, British Airways said there will be another opportunity to earn tier points using the credit card starting in April, although it has not announced any further details. Those who are enrolling for a BA AMEX Premium Plus card will also be able to collect a 50,000 Avios Welcome Bonus when applying through its website and spending £6,000 in the first three months. The BA Executive Club was renamed The British Airways Club on 1 April 2025, with the announcement drawing criticism from those who say they will not be able to spend the amount needed to reach higher statuses. The old system would allow passengers to earn tier points according to the number of miles flown; under the reimagined British Airways Club, passengers will now earn points based on the amount they spend. The new British Airways Club allows all those who join to achieve an entry-level Blue status, which allows for free wifi onboard and the ability to earn Avios. Higher status will then be achieved based on how much the passenger is spending: Bronze (3,500 tier points): seat selection from a week ahead of travel, preferential check-in and priority boarding Silver (7,500 tier points): Club lounge access, free choice of seats at the time of booking and additional baggage allowance with a weight limit of 32kg per checked bag Gold (20,000 tier points): access to First lounges; exclusive access to seats 1A and 1K when travelling in First, dedicated phone line Tier points are different from Avios, which is a frequent flyer currency used by British Airways and other airlines to earn flights, upgrades, seats and baggage perks. Passengers will be able to use their tier points to exchange them for Avios points, starting at 5,500 tier points, which can be transferred into 2,500 Avios.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
After flying with 40 different airlines, one consistently stands out as my favorite
After flying with 40 different airlines, Qantas stands out as my favorite. In my opinion, the airline offers great customer service and in-flight perks. Overall, I think Qantas offers the best combination of value, service, and reliability. When I first started traveling internationally, I wasn't loyal to any one airline. I simply chose whichever flight could get me to my destination at the lowest price. However, in my 30 years of flying with 40 different airlines in seats ranging from business to economy, I've learned that the cost of a ticket isn't everything. Oftentimes, the key to having a great trip is booking with the right airline. And after hundreds of flights, I have one carrier I'll choose every time I can: Qantas. From the friendly staff to the included perks, here's why I love flying with the Australian airline. When flying with Qantas, I always find the staff to be friendly and welcoming. In some cases, they'll even go out of their way to make my trips even better. Once, after a long layover in Europe and a delayed flight with another airline, I was feeling exhausted and disheveled. When a Qantas crew member came by my economy seat with water, we started chatting and I explained my situation. Later, they returned with a first-class amenity kit and pajamas so I could freshen up and change out of my travel-worn clothes. This small, thoughtful act made a big difference for me on a tough travel day, and is something I'll always remember. I love that even on the shortest domestic flights, Qantas offers a free meal or snack and nonalcoholic beverages. This means I never need to arrive early to buy overpriced airport food. Qantas also provides complimentary beer and wine on domestic flights after 12 p.m. — a nice touch that makes even short flights more enjoyable. One of my favorite perks, however, is that baggage is included in the ticket price on all domestic and international flights. This isn't the case on most major airlines (even Southwest famously ended its free baggage policy earlier this year). In my opinion, it's just another thing that makes flying with Qantas pretty great. Another significant advantage of flying with Qantas is the airline's membership in the Oneworld alliance — a global network of 14 airlines that makes connections easier and offers benefits across carriers. The perks are especially great for passengers who have a frequent flyer account with one of the participating airlines. For example, my Qantas gold status grants me priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and access to over 600 Oneworld lounges globally. The lounge access is one of my favorite perks, since I can grab a decent meal before boarding a meal-free US domestic flight. Sometimes, I even shower after a long-haul journey from Australia, arriving at my final destination refreshed and for the day. No airline delivers perfect service 100% of the time. After all, delays and cancellations happen. However, after hundreds of flights, I've found that Qantas offers the best combination of value, service, and reliability. Although I may occasionally find cheaper fares elsewhere, the overall experience makes Qantas my go-to option whenever possible. Read the original article on Business Insider

Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
After flying with 40 different airlines, one consistently stands out as my favorite
After flying with 40 different airlines, Qantas stands out as my favorite. In my opinion, the airline offers great customer service and in-flight perks. Overall, I think Qantas offers the best combination of value, service, and reliability. When I first started traveling internationally, I wasn't loyal to any one airline. I simply chose whichever flight could get me to my destination at the lowest price. However, in my 30 years of flying with 40 different airlines in seats ranging from business to economy, I've learned that the cost of a ticket isn't everything. Oftentimes, the key to having a great trip is booking with the right airline. And after hundreds of flights, I have one carrier I'll choose every time I can: Qantas. From the friendly staff to the included perks, here's why I love flying with the Australian airline. I always feel at home on Qantas flights When flying with Qantas, I always find the staff to be friendly and welcoming. In some cases, they'll even go out of their way to make my trips even better. Once, after a long layover in Europe and a delayed flight with another airline, I was feeling exhausted and disheveled. When a Qantas crew member came by my economy seat with water, we started chatting and I explained my situation. Later, they returned with a first-class amenity kit and pajamas so I could freshen up and change out of my travel-worn clothes. This small, thoughtful act made a big difference for me on a tough travel day, and is something I'll always remember. I never worry about hidden costs — or pay for airport food I love that even on the shortest domestic flights, Qantas offers a free meal or snack and nonalcoholic beverages. This means I never need to arrive early to buy overpriced airport food. Qantas also provides complimentary beer and wine on domestic flights after 12 p.m. — a nice touch that makes even short flights more enjoyable. One of my favorite perks, however, is that baggage is included in the ticket price on all domestic and international flights. This isn't the case on most major airlines (even Southwest famously ended its free baggage policy earlier this year). In my opinion, it's just another thing that makes flying with Qantas pretty great. The Oneworld alliance makes US travel more seamless Another significant advantage of flying with Qantas is the airline's membership in the Oneworld alliance — a global network of 14 airlines that makes connections easier and offers benefits across carriers. The perks are especially great for passengers who have a frequent flyer account with one of the participating airlines. For example, my Qantas gold status grants me priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and access to over 600 Oneworld lounges globally. The lounge access is one of my favorite perks, since I can grab a decent meal before boarding a meal-free US domestic flight. Sometimes, I even shower after a long-haul journey from Australia, arriving at my final destination refreshed and for the day. When I'm able to, I always book with Qantas No airline delivers perfect service 100% of the time. After all, delays and cancellations happen. However, after hundreds of flights, I've found that Qantas offers the best combination of value, service, and reliability. Although I may occasionally find cheaper fares elsewhere, the overall experience makes Qantas my go-to option whenever possible.

Travel Weekly
20-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
American Airlines opens new lounges in Philadelphia
American Airlines on May 21 will open its fifth Flagship Lounge, at Philadelphia International Airport. The Flagship Lounge will share an entranceway with a new Admirals Club. Combined, the two lounges occupy a former Terminal A-West Admirals Club space that closed for a renovation in 2019. The new lounges will replace the Admirals Club lounge in the A-East Terminal. The 12,500-square-foot Flagship Lounge has a seating capacity for 200. Amenities include a self-service wine station, a full-service bar, six shower suites, and dishes by local chef and James Beard Award semifinalist Randy Rucker. There's also a unique-to-Philadelphia a la carte dining experience that customers can order via QR code. The Flagship Lounge will cater mostly to international flyers, along with customers flying select transcontinental routes. The lounge will be open to American and Oneworld alliance travelers in first class and business class, as well as international economy flyers with high-level AAdvantage or Oneworld status. Single-visit passes can be purchased for $150. American's other Flagship lounges are in Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago. The bar in the new Admirals Club at Philadelphia's airport. Photo Credit: American Airlines The adjacent 11,000-square-foot Admirals Club will seat 181 people. Amenities include a kids room, a full-service bar and two shower suites. It's the fourth Admirals Club with a revamped, more modern look, following Denver, Newark and Washington Reagan National. Admittance is mostly geared toward premium flyers or flyers with AAdvantage and Oneworld status on domestic flights.


Zawya
10-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman Air announces resumption of double-daily flights to London
Muscat: Oman Air will resume double-daily flights between Muscat and London starting October 26, in response to growing demand and the strong and sustained operational performance of this vital route. The additional flight will be operated four days a week—Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays—providing Oman Air passengers with more flexibility and options to suit their travel plans. It will also enhance seamless connectivity with many destinations served by our Oneworld partners, particularly in North America. By summer 2026, the airline will operate approximately 14 return flights per week from Muscat. Con Korfiatis, CEO of Oman Air, said, "The introduction of the double-daily flights to London reflects the airline's commitment to meeting strong passenger demand, especially as London is a strategic hub in our international network and the United Kingdom is one of the airline's most important inbound tourism markets." He said that strengthening Oman Air's presence on this vital route not only contributes to supporting its operations, but also aligns with the Sultanate of Oman's efforts to stimulate the tourism sector and continue its commitment to achieving sustainable growth, especially as it prepares to join the Oneworld alliance. CEO of Oman Air emphasized the company's keenness to explore market potential and provide an exceptional and distinguished travel experience for its guests. The new schedule will include two daily flights on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, providing passengers with more seamless and convenient connections to their destinations in the United States and other long-haul destinations. These flights will be operated using the fleet's latest Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring spacious cabins featuring three award-winning cabins: Business Studio, Business Class, and Economy Class. © Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (