American, Qantas boost reciprocal frequent flyer benefits

American Airlines and Qantas have boosted frequent flyer earning rates on each other’s networks and announced a significant expansion of codeshare routes as part of their new joint venture. The move follows the recent final approval by US authorities of the joint venture allowing the airlines to deepen their existing relationship. An expanded Qantas codeshare network will add more than 50 new codeshare city pairs from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Chicago. The expansion adds 28 new codeshare destinations to the Qantas network in the US. The additions will see the Australian carrier place its code on American services to more than 100 destinations and almost 200 domestic city pairs. READ: We do our widest ever test of American Airlines economy class. New codeshare destinations from DFW include Spokane, Charleston, Dayton and Savannah. Form Chicago, which Qantas will start serving non-stop from Brisbane in 2020, they include New York, Boston, Miami, Washington and Philadelphia. Qantas Frequent Flyer members are also able to earn more Qantas points and status credits on American flights. This will see them earn as many points when they travel to the US with American as they do on Qantas flights. “Our joint business with American Airlines has allowed us to offer new routes, better flight connections and more benefits for our frequent flyers,” said Qantas international chief executive Tino La Spina. “Qantas Frequent Flyers will now earn as many points when they travel to the U.S. with American Airlines as they do when they travel with Qantas. “The new codeshare city pairs will provide even greater access for our frequent flyers to onward destinations across American’s extensive network, which will benefit customers traveling for business or holidays.” American customers get five additional codeshare markets on Qantas: Los Angeles-Sydney, Dallas/Fort Worth-Sydney, San Francisco-Melbourne, San Francisco-Brisbane and Chicago-Brisbane. American said its AAdvantage members could now earn miles and elite status faster on eligible flights between the US and Australia or New Zealand. An increase in mileage accrual will see American’s AAdvantage members earn up to two times more elite qualifying miles and elite qualifying dollars for most cabin classes on eligible Qantas flights.