American Airlines announced back in December that its AAdvantage Platinum Pro Oneworld status mapping would change from Sapphire to Emerald in early 2021.
It turns out that AA’s meaning of “early 2021” is the last day of the first half of 2021. As a result, platinum Pro members are eligible for Oneworld Emerald benefits from today when flying on alliance airlines.
You can access AA’s page for updates here.
Here’s the announcement from American:
Platinum Pro members get an upgrade
Starting June 30 2021, AAdvantage® Platinum Pro members will be upgraded from oneworld® Sapphire to oneworld® Emerald status. This allows you to enjoy more benefits when traveling on oneworld® airlines, including:
- First Class priority check-in
- First and Business partner lounge access
- Extra bag allowance
- Higher priority for waitlists and standby
Priority boarding upgrade
Along with this update, AAdvantage® Executive Platinum members are now invited to board in Group 1, while Platinum Pro members may board in Group 2.
Oneworld Emerald benefits:
***Extra baggage allowance for Emerald frequent flyers
As an Emerald frequent flyer, the following special checked baggage privileges will apply when you fly on oneworld airlines:
- On itineraries using the baggage allowance “weight” system – 20 kgs in addition to the ticketed-cabin allowance.
- On itineraries using the “piece system” – one additional bag for free in addition to your ticketed baggage allowance.
Note: This benefit is not available on British Airways’ ‘Hand Baggage Only/Basic’ fares.
*In accordance with the individual policy of the oneworld airline operating the flight. **Priority baggage handling is not currently available on flights operated by British Airways.
Exceptions may apply.
Conclusion
The main benefit of Emerald over Sapphire is the first-class check-in and lounge access with airlines that have a first-class cabin.
You mainly benefit when flying on Qantas, JAL, Cathay, and British Airways that have first-class lounges at their main hubs. However, Finnair and Malaysia Airlines have had Platinum/First Class lounge despite business being their highest class of service.
Americans made this change to better map their frequent flier tiers with Alaska, whose 75K fliers are now Emerald members.
![Airfare of the Day [Business Class] AMERICAN AIRLINES New York to Zurich from $1,828](https://cdn5.loyaltylobby.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/xbridge-g520bbd023_1280-ZURICH-350x250.jpg.pagespeed.ic.xHkH85qCvF.jpg)
![Airfare of the Day [Business Class] AMERICAN AIRLINES New York to Zurich from $1,828](https://cdn4.loyaltylobby.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/xbridge-g520bbd023_1280-ZURICH-120x86.jpg.pagespeed.ic.ibz9Tbl7KK.jpg)
![Airfare of the Day [Business Class] FINNAIR Barcelona to Bangkok from 598€ OW](https://cdn3.loyaltylobby.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/xboat-gd237054bb_1280-BANGKOK-120x86.jpg.pagespeed.ic.I0r7bR-CZs.jpg)
Nice but won’t do me much good if I can’t really fly international. I am keeping my fingers crossed for next year. Had to cancel my trip in September to Japan on JAL, it would have been nice to have the lounge access. If I do end up flying through Heathrow next year it will be great to use the first class lounge. Also, the option to check a third piece of luggage is a bonus if needed.
@Robin Alton The BA first lounge in Heathrow is poor.
The CX First lounge and Qantas lounge are excellent though.
If transiting through HKG, make sure to have a long enough layover to enjoy all the great lounges offered to Emerald Members (Wing, Pier, Qantas, Deck)
Wow sorry to hear that the lounge is not good. I thought the business class lounge was decent enough for breakfast or lunch so I figured the first class lounge would be better. Don’t know when I would be transiting through HKG but I will keep that if mind if I ever do.
HKG? One word…Cabana
Fly with an intimate partner!
That won’t happen because my husband would never fly that far. He hates to fly.
Sad! Of course, the cabanas used to (pre-covid) have a waiting list. You could wait in the champagne bar and take whatever/whomever you choose!
The BA First lounge in Heathrow is hardly the pits but doesn’t compare to Cathay’s lounges, true. It has drastically improved during COVID however. Table service for all with hot food and drinks delivered in minutes.