FIJI AIRWAYS: AAdvantage is now its loyalty scheme

Following its announcement as Best Airline in Australia and the Pacific at the SkyTrax awards, Fiji Airways is now adopting the American Airlines AAdcantage Travel Rewards Program.

“With this partnership, Fiji Airways is set to gain access to a vast network of American travelers, potentially increasing visitor arrivals to the enchanting destination of Fiji.

“The allure of Fiji’s pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality is expected to attract a growing number of American tourists, contributing to the nation’s thriving tourism industry.”

Andre Viljoen, Fiji Airways Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Nice thought, but American travellers are more likely to head to Mexico and the Carribean than travel to Fiji.

American Airlines and Fiji Airways are already partners, and both are members of the OneWorld Alliance. Admittedly, Fiji is a junior partner being only a OneWorld Connect member. But it has announced its intention to gain full membership in 2025.

Frequent Flyer Program

Fiji Airways currently doesn’t have a traditional frequent flyer program. It does run a paid scheme. Tabua Club membershipt grants lounge access at a hefty annual membership of AU$466 per year. Earning status credits elevates members to Tabua Club Plus. This has more benefits such as upgrades, priority services at the airport, and a larger luggage allowance. It doesn’t give members the ability to earn points and redeem them for flights. That’s the usual basis for a frequent flyer program.

It was widely rumoured that Fiji Airways would be adopting the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. That was not to be.

Adopting the AAdvantage scheme, which is the longest running aircraft loyalty scheme in the world, starting in 1981, could be a boon to Fiji Airways.

“We look forward to welcoming Fiji Airways customers into the AAdvantage^® program so they can experience all the ways we deliver on our commitment that travel is better as an AAdvantage^® member.”

Anmol Bhargava, American’s Vice President of Partnerships

What to expect from this new Loyalty membership

The start date has not been announced, other than it will be in the next 12 months. If you are not currently a member of American’s loyalty scheme, then you can joine either through the Fiji Airways website or the American Airlines website.

The exact interplay between the Tabua Club and the American loyalty scheme are not yet announced. I predict that this kind of detail will be announced once Fiji Airways becomes a full member of OneWorld in 2025.

Currently under the partnership agreement with American Airlines, those booked on Fiji Airways who enter their AAdvantage number earn variying rates of points/miles depending on their class of service. That can range from 33 to 100% in Economy, 100% in Business, and up to an additional 50% if a ‘premium’ business class faire is purchased.

Currently, Qantas frequent flyers can earn and redeem Qantas points and status credits with Fiji Airways as a OneWorld Connect member. You can check the partner earn tables here.

I would expect that earn and burn rates may change once Fiji becomes a full member of OneWorld.

2PAXfly Takeout

It would have been nice and parochial if Fiji Airways had adopted the Qantas Frequent Flyer Scheme, but it is unlikely to have conferred too many additional advantages to Qantas members.

Under the arrangement with American, and as a member of the OneWorld partnership, you will still be able to use your QFF number to allocate points and status credits earns to your Qantas account.

There were rumours that Fiji Airways may have adopted Avios, the currency of IAG airlines like British Airways, and now Qatar Airways. But that was not to be either.

I am not as familiar with the American scheme, so I will hold my breath on that one. If flying with Fiji Airways, an airline that I love, I will continue to allocate my earn through the Qantas Frequent Flyer scheme.