Delta snagged a partnership with LATAM out from under American’s nose. Delta is buying 20% of the South American airline, and LATAM will leave oneworld. It’s not joining SkyTeam but will focus on bilateral partnerships instead.
One of the most frequent questions I’ve gotten over the past couple of months is from American AAdvantage members with tickets for travel on LATAM, wondering whether they’ll be able to credit the flights to their AAdvantage accounts and earn miles. It looks like the ability to do so will continue through September 2020, based on new information about when LATAM will leave the oneworld alliance.
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Fly. Stay. Points. noticed that Qantas is up with the information on when LATAM will depart oneworld.
Note: LATAM has given notice that they will exit oneworld on 1 October 2020. Until this date passengers will continue to receive the oneworld benefits associated with LATAM’s membership. However, Qantas passengers making new bookings for travel from 1 October 2020 will no longer earn Status Credits.
Since Qantas plans to retain a relationship with LATAM outside of oneworld, Qantas Frequent Flyers will still earn miles on LATAM flights it seems but not elite qualifying credit. American AAdvantage members aren’t expected to be able to earn anything on LATAM flights once the South American carrier departs oneworld.
What’s OW and AA’s game plan for South America?
@abc – AA is working on other partnerships, Gol may be what they pick up to feed Brazil, there had been some internal talk of Copa but it seems like United will do a joint venture with them.
Would I be able to book LATAM tix with avios after LATAM leaves oneworld? Prob not? Thank you.
@RYAN YUK – to the extent they keep a codeshare with BA, they may also retain a frequent flyer partnership, and if they do then the answer would be yes based on a potential bilateral agreement (that does not yet exist)
I will be traveling to Argentina In December 2020 and returning via Chile in January 2021. Can I book LATAM flights with AA miles in December 2019 & Jan. 2020 that will be honored by LATAM? And if so, how many days ahead of flights does AA load award tickets?