What’s The Fastest Way To oneworld Sapphire Status?

While the oneworld alliance does not have an independent frequent flyer program, you can enjoy several tier benefits when flying with one of the member airlines. Sapphire status can give you access to a variety of airport and airline services, which contribute to making your journey smoother and more comfortable. Let us look at the different ways to earn Sapphire status with US airlines and other carriers.

Flying with oneworld airlines

With 13 member airlines, passengers can fly to over 900 destinations globally with the oneworld alliance. Travelers enrolled in a loyalty program with any of the member airlines are eligible for oneworld priority benefits, depending on their tier status. There are three priority tiers: Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby. Members are automatically designated a oneworld priority tier when they reach a top-tier status within the individual airline loyalty programs.

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Each tier offers different Priority benefits. The Emerald tier has the most benefits, followed by Sapphire and Ruby. Sapphire privileges include:

• Business class lounge access worldwide: Emerald status holders have access to first and business class lounges, while Sapphire members can only access business class lounges.
• Business class priority check-in: Access to dedicated check-in desks. Meanwhile, Emerald members also have access to fast-track security lanes.
• Priority boarding: Look for the oneworld Priority logo to enjoy benefits.
• Preferred or pre-reserved seating: Benefits are per individual oneworld airlines’ policies.
• Priority on waitlists and when on standby: Also depends on individual airline policies.
• Free extra baggage allowance: An additional 15 kg for ticketed economy class baggage allowance on international or domestic flights using the weight system.
• Priority baggage handling: Priority baggage handling is currently unavailable on British Airways flights.

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While it is not the highest status you can earn within the oneworld alliance, it can be rewarding. According to Travel-Dealz, the privileges are similar to Star Alliance Gold membership. The benefits listed above are available to all Sapphire members, even when traveling in the economy or other non-premium classes.

Sapphire status with US airlines

American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines AAdvantage members, depending on their status, receive various travel perks when flying with other oneworld airlines. AAdvantage Gold members qualify for Ruby, while Platinum members qualify for Sapphire, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum for Emerald. In 2022, American Airlines eliminated elite qualifying miles, elite qualifying dollars, and elite qualifying segments, so earning AAdvantage status is now based on Loyalty Points.

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This is quite different from earning with other airlines. Your AAdvantage tier is not directly linked to how much you fly but rather the amount of miles you earn. Members can earn one Loyalty Point for every AAdvantage mile earned from flying, credit cards, making purchases, or flying with eligible partners. To reach the Platinum status tier, you will need 75,000 loyalty points.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan has four tiers: MVP, MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K, and MVP Gold 100K. As of 2024, Mileage Plan status is based on elite qualifying miles (EQM) earned by flying on Alaska Airlines or its global partners. Mileage Plan offers the same path to status, but members can get there faster. The eligible miles are as follows, with the equivalence to oneworld Priority:

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Mileage Plan can help you get elite status faster than other airline programs. Throughout the year, members will automatically earn 4,000 EQMs (up to 20,000 EQMs total) for every $10,000 they spend on purchases. For MVP Gold 100K members, any EQMs earned beyond 100K in 2023 roll over toward requalifying for status in 2024.

Earning oneworld status with foreign airlines

Earning Sapphire or emerald status with one of American Airlines’ closest oneworld partners, like British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, or Qatar Airways can also get you Main Cabin Extra seating. One Mile At A Time also explored the benefits of going for oneworld status with non-US airlines. One advantage is that members who earn Sapphire or Emerald status through foreign carriers get access to oneworld lounges even when traveling domestically.

Photo: oneworld

If you have Sapphire status, you can access all American Flagship Lounges on domestic flights. Meanwhile, if you have Emerald, you could use the Qantas First Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Ultimately, you would be giving up complimentary upgrade opportunities for flagship lounge access if you are at least a Sapphire member.

If you decide to go for oneworld status with a foreign carrier, the path depends on your chosen airline. With British Airways Executive Club, elite status is based on earning a certain number of Tier points during a membership year. The required Tier Points and oneworld equivalent are as follows:

The Tier Points you can earn depend on the flight, as they are awarded per segment. Generally, economy flights accrue Tier Points much slower than business. British Airways Executive Club also has a lifetime elite status program allowing you to earn 35,000 Tier points throughout your life and receive oneworld Emerald status for life.

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