The Oneworld Alliance (also stylized “oneworld”) is one of the largest airline alliances in the world. Member carriers of the alliance include American Airlines, British Airlines, Aer Lingus, Iberia, and Cathay Pacific. Learn more about the third-largest alliance with our ultimate guide to the Oneworld Alliance.
What is Oneworld?
Oneworld is the third-largest international alliance of leading airlines in the world. The airlines owned and operated coalition was founded in 1999 and currently consists of 15 member carriers, as well as numerous associate carriers that operate under the umbrella of at least one of the alliance members. Oneworld offers service to over 1,000 select airports and destinations across 150 countries worldwide and provides travelers with a seamless and pain-free travel experience when switching between connecting carriers.
As with other airline alliances, Oneworld offers a unified membership scheme for frequent travelers, which is equivalent to a status with members’ frequent flyer programs. These Oneworld member statuses offer perks across all partner carriers, including access to lounges, priority check-in and baggage handling, and extra luggage allowances.
Partner Airlines
The following airlines are members of the Oneworld alliance, meaning account holders of airline rewards credit cards from one of these partner carriers can earn miles when flying with any other Oneworld global partner carrier:
| American Airlines | Cathay Pacific | Malaysia Airlines | Qatar Airways |
| Alaska Airlines | Finnair | Qantas | Japan Airlines |
| British Airways | Iberia | Royal Air Moroc | Royal Jordanian |
| Sri Lankan Airlines | Fiji Airways | Oman Air |
Partner Affiliates
The following airlines are affiliates of Oneworld partner carriers, meaning cardholders can earn miles when booking through these affiliates:
| Carrier | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| American Airlines | AE – American Eagle |
| American Airlines Shuttle | |
| British Airways | BA CityFlyer |
| ComAir | |
| Sun Air | |
| Cathay Pacific | Cathay Dragon |
| Fiji Airways | Fiji Link |
| Finnair | Nordic Regional Airlines |
| Iberia | Regional |
| Express | |
| Japan Airlines | J-Air |
| Japan Transocean Air | |
| Malaysia Airlines | Firefly |
| MASwings | |
| Qantas | QantasLink |
| Qatar Airways | Qatar Executive |
| Royal Air Maroc | RAM Express |
Earning Oneworld Frequent Flyer Miles
After you join Oneworld, the easiest way to earn miles with Oneworld is by making bookings with a Oneworld member airline, or one of their associate airlines. All passengers need to do is provide their frequent flyer number when making their booking or checking in.
To earn miles the airline shown on the ticket, as well as the operating airline, must be a Oneworld member carrier. Additionally, the fare purchased must qualify for earning miles.
Miles are also applicable retroactively, provided the traveler has already flown, and the miles weren’t credited to the account.
Earning Bonus Miles with Airline Partners
Oneworld member credit cardholders can earn additional points or miles when making purchases with partners of Oneworld carrier partners – both in their home country and around the world. For more information regarding earning points with Oneworld alliance partners, please see each airline’s official site.
Do Oneworld Miles Expire?
Miles earned with Oneworld partner airlines are subject to the terms and conditions of each member carrier. As such, some miles expire more quickly than others. Here is what you need to know about miles expiration with member carriers:
| Carrier | Expiration |
|---|---|
| American Airlines | Miles expire after 18 months of inactivity on the account |
| Alaska Airlines | Miles expire after 24 months of inactivity on the account |
| British Airways | Miles expire after 36 months of inactivity on the account |
| Sri Lankan Airlines | Miles expire after 24 months of inactivity on the account |
| Cathay Pacific | Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of account activity |
| Finnair | Miles expire after 18 months of inactivity on the account |
| Iberia | Miles expire after 36 months of inactivity on the account |
| Fiji Airways | Miles expire after 24 months of inactivity on the account |
| Malaysia Airlines | Miles expire after 36 months |
| Qantas | Miles expire after 18 months of inactivity on the account |
| Royal Air Moroc | Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of account activity |
| Oman Air | Miles expire after 36 months, regardless of account activity |
| Qatar Airways | Miles expire on 06/30 or 12/31 that occurs more than 36 months after they were earned, regardless of activity |
| Japan Airlines | Miles expire on the last day of the 36th month following the month earned |
| Royal Jordanian | Miles expire after 18 months of inactivity on the account |
Redeeming Miles with Partner Airlines
How to Redeem Miles
Miles gained with member carriers are applicable for the following:
- Purchasing flights with a member airline
- Upgrading to the next class of service on a member flight
Restrictions on Redeeming Miles
- Miles or points earned with one partner carrier’s frequent flyer program cannot be combined with points or miles earned through the frequent flyer program of another Oneworld partner carrier.
Transferring Miles
- Miles or points earned with a Oneworld member carrier’s frequent flyer program are not transferable to the frequent flyer program of another member carrier.
- Miles earned with any Oneworld member carrier are transferable to another family member, although additional fees or surcharges may apply.
Oneworld Status Levels
While every Oneworld partner carrier has its own unique frequent flyer program, the various levels in these membership programs also relate to Oneworld status qualifications. Each status qualification allows customers certain perks. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect from the Oneworld program’s elite tiers:
| Ruby | Sapphire | Emerald | |
| Priority check-in | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Preferred seating | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Priority wait-list | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Priority baggage handling | – | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Extra baggage allowance | – | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Business class priority check-in | – | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Business lounge access | – | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| First-class lounge access | – | ✔️ | |
| Security lane fast track | ✔️ |
Ruby Status
Ruby status is the lowest tier of membership in the Oneworld alliance. This status can generally be achieved when a frequent flyer with any member carrier amasses somewhere between 15,000 and 30,000 qualifying miles (though the exact amount varies with each airline). This status also can be attained with the accumulation of between 14 and 34 qualifying flight segments.
Ruby Perks
This status offers some perks not available to regular passengers. These benefits include:
- Business class priority check-in
- Preferred seating
- Priority wait-list
Sapphire Status
Sapphire status is the middle tier of membership in the rewards program. This status is typically achieved by earning double the qualifying miles or segments needed to reach Ruby status.
Sapphire Perks
Sapphire status offers some impressive perks not available to Ruby status members. These benefits include:
- Priority standby and wait-list
- Preferred or pre-reserved seating
- Priority boarding
- Priority baggage handling
- Extra baggage allowance
- Access to business class priority check-in
- Access to business class and frequent-flyer lounges
Emerald Status
Emerald status is the highest tier in the membership program. Achieving Emerald status, however, is no easy feat – requiring more than the total qualifying miles or segments of Sapphire and Ruby statuses combined.
Emerald Perks
Emerald status offers the most perks, including some perks not available to Sapphire status members. These benefits include:
- Security lane fast track
- First class check-in
- Access to first class lounges
Oneworld Lounges
Lounge Access Policy
- First Class Passengers: First class passengers departing on any Oneworld partner airline can access the first class lounge at all available airports, including London Heathrow, regardless of their Oneworld or partner airline frequent flyer status.
- Business Class Passengers: Business class passengers departing on any Oneworld partner airline can access Oneworld or partner airline business class lounges – regardless of their Oneworld frequent flyer status – by presenting their boarding pass.
- Oneworld Emerald Status Members: Oneworld Emerald members have access to either the first class, business class or frequent flyer lounges. Emerald members may also bring one guest, provided they are also on a Oneworld partner flight departing on the same day (regardless of ticket class).
- Oneworld Sapphire Status Members: Oneworld Sapphire members have access to either the business class or frequent flyer lounges. Sapphire members may bring one guest, provided they are also on a Oneworld partner flight departing on the same day (regardless of ticket class).
Browse Airline Alliance and Codeshare Guides
Looking for a comprehensive guide to your favorite airline alliance or loyalty program? Chances are that we have it! Browse our Ultimate Guides:
 |
 |
 |
Browse Frequent Flyer Program Guides
Looking for a comprehensive guide to your favorite airline loyalty program?
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Check out more
Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Editorial Disclosure – The opinions expressed on BestCards.com's reviews, articles, and all other content on or relating to the website are solely those of the content’s author(s). These opinions do not reflect those of any card issuer or financial institution, and editorial content on our site has not been reviewed or approved by these entities unless noted otherwise. Further, BestCards.com lists credit card offers that are frequently updated with information believed to be accurate to the best of our team's knowledge. However, please review the information provided directly by the credit card issuer or related financial institution for full details.
