American Airlines and US Airways Begin to Align Loyalty Benefits

american airlinesIn another move following their recent merger, American Airlines and US Airways have begun to align their loyalty benefits. This is the first of many actions the airlines will take over the coming months as part of the integration process, the newly combined American Airlines said. 

RELATED: American Airlines and US Airways Merger Completed

Customers traveling on both airlines can now enjoy the following combined benefits:

  • AAdvantage and Dividend Miles members can earn and redeem miles when traveling across either airline’s network. All travel on eligible tickets on both airlines will count toward qualification for elite status in the customer’s program of choice.
  • Elite members of each airline can enjoy select reciprocal benefits of both the AAdvantage and Dividend Miles programs, including First and Business Class check-in, priority security and priority boarding, complimentary access to Preferred Seats, priority baggage delivery, and checked bags at no charge, consistent with the current baggage policies for each carrier.
  • Members of the American Admirals Club or US Airways Club will have reciprocal club benefits, providing them access to the 35 Admirals Clubs and 19 US Airways Clubs. In addition, American AAdvantage Citi Executive cardholders will have access to US Airways Clubs.
  • Airport and Web check-in timeframes will be aligned for both US Airways and American. 
  • Boarding announcements will align to accommodate elites of both carriers. 
  • Airport ticket counters and gates at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport are now co-located.

Employees at American and US Airways have undergone joint training in preparation for these changes. In the coming months, American Airlines expects to add the following additional combined benefits:

  • A codeshare agreement to provide easy access to each airline’s global network. The first phase of the codeshare is expected to be available in the coming weeks. 
  • US Airways’ exit from the Star Alliance on March 30, 2014 and entry into the oneworld® alliance on March 31, 2014. 
  • Co-location of additional ticket counters and gates in key markets, including Miami and Phoenix, as well as other domestic and international stations is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter.
  • Alignment of select frequent flyer program policies, including upgrades.

As American and US Airways work through the integration process, the two airlines will continue to operate separately, with individual loyalty programs, reservations systems and websites. Customers should continue to check in for flights and conduct business with the airline operating their flight just as they did before the close of the merger, the companies said.  

In another move aimed at bringing the newly merged airlines together, American Airlines workers recently voted on the tail paint jobs for the newly combined airline. 

RELATED: American Airlines Workers Vote on Tail Paint Jobs

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