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.
