The alliance includes Qantas, which has over 900 destinations spread across 170 territories. Travel-worn road warriors have a good reason to stay loyal to their Oneworld airline partners year after. For frequent flyers, the perks can be rewarding.
In this guide, we will look at oneworld Credit Card, which is a global alliance of airlines founded in 1999. Oneworld doesn’t have a frequent flyer programme. It’s a partnership of partner airlines with interlinked frequent flyer programmes that provide reciprocal rewards. Qantas’ Gold-level membership is required. Business Class lounge access, priority airport benefits, and more are available to you when you fly any of our member airlines in any cabin class.
What is oneworld?
The Oneworld Alliance, alongside Star Alliance and SkyTeam Alliance, are three of the largest global airline alliances. The Oneworld alliance is the smallest but has the best selection of partners.
The alliance has 13 members, of which 8 fly to Australia. These are bolded:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Finnair
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian
- SriLankan Airlines
This list will soon be expanded to 15 airlines. Oman Air, a current Oneworld Connect Partner, Fiji Airways, should become a member of the Oneworld Connect network in 2025.
Hawaiian Airlines might also join Oneworld after ‘s merger with Alaska Airlines. However, the US Department of Justice is yet to approve. Noteworthy, an earlier proposed merger between JetBlue Airlines & Spirit Airlines was rejected.
Frequent flyers from Oneworld member carriers can earn points, miles, and status credits by flying with another Oneworld carrier. The alliance spans over 1,050 locations in 181 nations, so there are plenty of chances to earn points and redeem them within the alliance.
There’s more to the world than just London, Paris or New York. Why not travel to exotic and less-travelled destinations such as Havana, Sebastian, Ketchikan or Ketchikan?
What is oneworld Priority?
Members of the elite programs in Oneworld enjoy a set of standardised benefits, dubbed ‘oneworld priority’. There are three tiers common to all Oneworld member airlines. Each corresponds to an individual status level.
Ovals in different colours represent the three tiers of Oneworld.
- Red
- Sapphire
- Emeraude
Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald are all status levels in Qantas Frequent Traveler. Sapphire corresponds to Silver, Sapphire and Emerald to Gold and Platinum. They differ by airline. Find out about the Oneworld tiers and other member airlines.
When travelling on any Oneworld Alliance airline and in any travel classes, you can enjoy these benefits with Oneworld Priority. These include:
Ruby, Sapphire or Emerald members
- Priority Business Class Check-in
- You can reserve or choose your preferred seat.
- Priority for those on the waitlist or standing by
Sapphire and Emerald members
- Priority boarding
- Priority baggage handling
- Extra baggage allowance
- Access to International Business Class lounges, including domestic Qantas Qantas Clubs
Emerald members
- First Class Check-in Priority
- Fast-track security lines
- Access to International First Class lounges, including domestic Qantas Qantas Business lounges
You can read more about Priority benefits on the Oneworld website.
No, there is no ‘oneworld program for frequent flyers’. For (one) worldwide benefit, you must join a member airline’s program such as Qantas’ Frequent Traveler.
What are the best oneworld lounges?
In Oneworld, every member airline has its lounge. In some cases the airlines combine forces to operate a combined business lounge, like the Oneworld Lounge at LAX. The alliance plans to open Alliance-Wide Lounges at some point in the future. Perth T1 International would be a great candidate for an alliance-wide lounge in Australia. Qantas has closed its International Business Lounge in Sydney, so all Oneworld members are no longer able to use the lounge.
You can often access the lounges of any partner airline in that terminal. You could, for example, have access to the following Oneworld lounges if you fly Qantas Business class from Singapore into London.
- Qantas Singapore International Business Lounge
- Qantas Singapore International First Classe
- Qatar Airways Premium Lounge
- British Airways Lounge
Here’s an overview of some of the best lounges from Oneworld Airlines.
Qantas International First Lounge, Sydney
This beautiful lounge is not only one of Australia’s best but also among the best in the whole world. All Oneworld First Class Passengers, Platinum One, Platinum, and Oneworld Emerald frequent flyers have access to the Qantas International First Lounge.
You will feel completely relaxed when you enter this lounge. Enjoy a sumptuous dining experience, and don’t forget to try the fruit-strewn Pavlova or signature calamari. Perhaps you would like to enjoy the amazing views of the tarmac at the airport or perhaps read a book quietly in the library.
Oneworld Los Angeles Business Lounge, Los Angeles
The lounge will be most useful to Australians returning from The Americas and the US via Qantas American Airlines or another Oneworld flight. Enjoy the large lounge and the Neil Perry-designed menu. The fireplace is the main attraction. The fireplace is a nice touch but can feel out of place, especially in LA’s hot and humid climate. The lounge is equipped with fast, reliable internet access, a bar staffed by a staff member, and a kids’ play area.
Cathay Pacific The Pier, Business Class Lounge Hong Kong
If you have the privilege of accessing this lounge in Hong Kong, then it’s definitely worth a visit. The main lounge will be used by passengers leaving Hong Kong and transiting through the city with destinations other than China as of December 20, 2022. The stylish lounge includes a full-service bar, showers, a spa and yoga and mediation space. The lounge’s Noodle Bar features 8 different kinds of noodles.
American Airlines Flagship Lounge, Miami
The American Airlines Flagship is a step above the traditional Admirals Club Lounges. The newly-renovated lounge features a range of hot and cold food, a self-service bar, and ultra-fast wireless Internet. You can also find two coffee and dessert stations. If you are flying First Class and have access to the Flagship First Diner, it is a great place to enjoy a la carte meals.
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge, Doha
The lounge is so big that you may need directions from the staff to make sure you don’t lose your way! The huge lounge features high ceilings, a design that is unique and worth seeing. Unlike the other Oneworld lounges, you will not be able to gain access to this lounge if your Emerald status is a frequent flyer and you are travelling in Economy, Premium Economy, or Business Class. The only way to add your name to the hallowed guestlist is if you are travelling in First Class, such as with Qatar Airways or British Airways.
How do I earn oneworld points?
Remember that there is no combined Oneworld frequent-flyer program’. Therefore, there are no Oneworld points. Earning points or miles is possible with any of the Oneworld member airlines by flying or with their respective air partners. It’s also possible to boost your account by doing business with their ground partner.
You can flexibly earn miles through American Express as well as Marriott Bonvoy. The programs include Cathay Asia Miles or Malaysia Airlines’ Enrich.
Qantas has the only direct-earning credit cards among all Oneworld airlines that fly to Australia.
What is the best frequent flyer program for Australia-based travellers to join?
The value of different Oneworld frequent-flyer programs depends on the route that you wish to redeem. You should always be aware of the program expiry policy to avoid losing any hard-earned points and miles.
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Qantas’ extensive domestic network and its position as Australia’s leading carrier allows it to offer the most flights into and out of Australia.
Earning QantasPoints is easy to do in Australia. However, redemption rates for award seats can be quite high. In premium cabins, however, it isn’t easy to find reward seats.
American Airlines Advantage
American Airlines offers an excellent redemption value for business class domestic and trans-Tasman flights. The program includes:
- Qantas flights.
- Business Class to Fiji flights on Fiji Airways.
- As well as flights to Asia with Oneworld partners.
Buying miles is the easiest way to earn an Advantage mile.
British Airways Executive Club
Qantas and American Airlines are both within Australia. Business Class is also available on Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines intra-Asia. Buying miles in frequent bonus point promotions is another way to earn Avios. You can also swap British Airways Executive Club Avios 1:1 for American Express Member Rewards points.
Cathay Pacific Asia miles
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles may offer better value for money than Qantas Frequent Flier on certain Qantas flights, so consider signing up for this program.
You can also take note of the fact that Qantas as well as Asia Miles both offer reward tickets with competitive round-theworld prices. Do you want to find out more? You can learn all about RTW fares for Qantas and Asiamiles by reading our guides.
How to search availability of Oneworld
You can use the Qantas website to search for availability. The airlines you can search for are American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qatar Airways, in addition to other partner carriers such as Jetstar and Emirates Fiji Airways.
It is very helpful to search for rewards faster using the American Airlines Advantage website.
British Airways offers another way to find seats for most airlines. Click for more information about finding award flights. If you want to start from a place that doesn’t appear on Qantas’ website, take a look at our guide here.
Summing Up
You’ll be able to join the Oneworld Alliance if you live in Australia. It includes Australia’s largest airline, Qantas. Consider joining one of the many Oneworld frequent-flyer programs in order to benefit from special reward pricing on selected routes.
One of the strengths of Oneworld lies in its ability to offer a wide variety of airlines, where you can earn points or miles by partnering with non-airline companies such as financial lenders and hotel chains. Qantas, the dominant airline in Australia, is so dominant that you can accumulate points even while sleeping.
