Date set: Fiji Airways to join Oneworld alliance, AAdvantage loyalty program April 1

The start of April will bring a new milestone for Fiji Airways, American Airlines AAdvantage loyalists — and other travelers who frequently fly aboard Oneworld alliance airlines.

Beginning April 1, Fiji will become a full-fledged Oneworld member. That same day, the carrier will adopt AAdvantage as its loyalty program.

The move comes about nine months after TPG first reported Fiji’s plans to join both Oneworld and AAdvantage. Now a reality, this shift should offer travelers new ways to tap into their AAdvantage and Oneworld loyalty benefits on flights to and from the beautiful South Pacific destination.

The newest AAdvantage airline

What’s striking about Fiji’s new, deeper partnership with American Airlines is that it’s not merely an alliance: Going forward, AAdvantage will be the airline’s frequent flyer program.

It’s a distinction shared by South American budget carrier JetSmart, which adopted AAdvantage as its loyalty program last year.

As part of the new arrangement, AAdvantage elite status members will be able to make use of their status perks, from priority boarding to lounge access.

Fiji currently serves three destinations in the continental U.S. from its Nadi International Airport (NAN) home base: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), American’s home base where it launched nonstop service in December with its Airbus A350-900.

The airline also flies to Honolulu.

AAdvantage benefits on Fiji

Here’s a look at the newly published benefits that AAdvantage members (and elite status customers) will be able to make use of on Fiji-operated flights, beginning April 1.

As shown in the chart above, entry-level AAdvantage members will earn the standard 5 miles and Loyalty Points per dollar spent. And travelers with status will earn their standard mileage and Loyalty Point accelerations (40% extra for AAdvantage Gold, 60% extra for Platinum, etc.)

Baggage benefit

One note: The chart does not list a free checked bag as a perk for AAdvantage Gold customers, something that’s typically offered to those passengers on American-operated flights.

However, Fiji’s standard economy fare comes with a free checked bag on long-haul international flights.

But AAdvantage Platinum members (and higher) would, as shown in the chart, be offered an “extra bag allowance” on Fiji flights. AAdvantage members with Platinum status get two free bags.

And, suffice to say, flights to and from Fiji will be open to AAdvantage members hoping to redeem their miles — something the airlines already offered as part of a more limited, preexisting partnership.

Oneworld move official, too

As Fiji joins AAdvantage on April 1, it’ll also celebrate its arrival in the Oneworld alliance.

That means the airline plans to honor standard elite status perks for Oneworld Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby members.

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That includes lounge access, offered on long-haul flights to Sapphire members and above — even those traveling in economy.

Fiji does operate a lounge in Nadi — the Fiji Airways Premier Lounge. So, if you’re flying on the carrier from Nadi back to the U.S. and have AAdvantage Platinum (or Oneworld Sapphire) status or better, you can stop in for some preflight refreshments.

Of note: One other Oneworld carrier flies to and from Nadi — Qantas, with its nonstop service to Sydney.

Along with its A350, Fiji also flies its Airbus A330 on routes to and from the U.S.

Related reading:

• Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
• Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
• American Airlines elite status: What it is and how to earn it
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status