These Oneworld Credit Cards Are Offered In The US

For international airlines, such as the many legacy carriers that make up the global Oneworld Alliance, an extremely high level of market saturation within one’s home country has almost always been achieved. As a result, one of the few ways to pursue long-term growth is by expanding into foreign markets and getting more passengers from foreign countries to fly directly to an airline’s hub or connect through it to another final destination.

Historically, it has been difficult for foreign airlines to expand into the United States, as American legacy carriers have some of the most extensive networks and well-developed loyalty programs. Foreign airlines have had to deploy novel tactics to convince more passengers to fly onboard their flights to their hubs and beyond.

One of these new tactics involved leveraging an airline’s loyalty program to convince customers to fly with them long-term, and a key aspect of expanding a loyalty program to a new market is the use of cobranded credit cards, which allow customers to earn miles on all their expenses. Therefore, foreign airlines have begun launching cobranded card offerings in the United States, some of which boast exclusive benefits like automatic elite status.

The many carriers that comprise the global Oneworld alliance are no exception to this trend, as they have offered dozens of cobranded credit cards in foreign countries, including the United States, over the years. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the many cobranded cards offered in the United States by these airlines today.

Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card

Offered through: Cardless

One of the most interesting credit cards to hit the market this cycle, the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card, initially appeared to have a very appealing offering. With such a low annual fee, it comes along with high rewards (in terms of Avios) and also brings a solid amount of flight benefits.

One of this card’s key selling features is the fact that it comes with Qatar Airways silver status, which offers a broad array of benefits from priority check-in to early boarding and additional checked bags. With silver status, customers are also immediately able to reap all the benefits of Oneworld Ruby status, which, although it falls short of offering higher-tier benefits like lounge access, can still bring along flight benefits that will improve your travel experience.

Photo: Qatar Airways

The challenge, however, is that, unlike the status-bearing credit cards from Avianca, these cards require status to be maintained after the first year, something that will be tricky unless you fly Qatar Airways with some regularity or spend an unbelievable amount on your card. As a result, the case for purchasing this card is difficult to make unless you plan on flying Qatar Airways enough to maintain your status and make use of all your flight benefits.

Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Infinite Credit Card

Offered through: Cardless

The Qatar Airways Privilege Club Infinite card has a lot of similarities to the Signature Card previously discussed, boasting generous Avios rewards while also boasting the benefits of elite status. With a higher annual fee, the Infinite Card justifies its expense with automatic gold status with the airline, which translates directly into Oneworld Sapphire status.

Photo: Qatar Airways

With Sapphire status, cardholders can enter premium lounges across the entire Oneworld network and are offered dozens of other premium perks all along the way. However, the card yet again has the same challenges as the Signature Card, as the need to continue maintaining status somewhat diminishes its value.

At the end of the day, paying for the Infinite Card will get you lounge access, but only for a year. If you are looking for the best continued worldwide lounge access, better go for the American Express Platinum card or something that provides relatively similar benefits.

British Airways Visa Signature Credit Card

Offered through: Chase Bank

Unlike Qatar Airways, which is attempting to capture demand for ultra-premium credit card customers with lounge access, the British Airways US credit card compares a lot better with standard US cards like the United MileagePlus Explorer Card. These cards provide relatively generous accrual schedules, with bonuses on certain spending categories like British Airways flights,

Photo: British Airways

Furthermore, these credit cards offer discounts like 10% off British Airways flights purchased from the US, as well as up to $600 in statement credits, according to the Chase Bank website. If you’re looking to capitalize on these discounts and award credits, it is not difficult to make an argument for the British Airways Visa Signature Card, despite a lack of premium benefits.

Aer Lingus Visa Signature Credit Card

Offered through: Chase Bank

The Aer Lingus Visa Signature Credit Card is the second to be released in a set of three cobranded credit cards that follow the joint International Airlines Group’s Avios loyalty program. Boasting a generous signup bonus, the card also comes along with the following mileage accrual schedule:

• 3 Avios per $1 spent on flights with IAG and Oneworld carriers
• 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations booked directly with the hotel
• 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases

Photo: Aer Lingus

This fairly generous accrual schedule is standard for cobranded cards but falls behind most US offerings which have at least one bonus category that is not travel-related, typically offering double points for either dining or supermarket expenses. At the end of the day, this card, much like the British Airways one that precedes it, offers relatively limited benefits for a low annual fee, with some noticeably large credits that can justify the card’s fee.

Iberia Visa Signature Credit Card

Offered through: Chase Bank

Identical in almost every facet to the Aer Lingus and British Airways cards previously discussed, the Iberia Visa Signature Card can provide excellent value for those looking to earn Avios from the United States. This card provides generous benefits alongside an accrual schedule that would be slightly sub-par for a card of its value in the United States.

Photo: Iberia

At the end of the day, these Avios cards are an interesting attempt for IAG to build its loyalty presence in the United States, and they are most attractive to those who routinely travel on the Avios carrier in question. However, for the average American who does not travel to Ireland, Spain, or the United Kingdom with regularity, cards like the Delta American Express Gold card likely offer far better value.

Cathay Pacific Visa Signature Credit Card

Offered through: Synchrony Bank

The first card that we have discussed which does not operate with Avios, the loyalty currency created by the International Airlines Group, the Cathay Pacific Visa Signature Card, offers customers the opportunity to earn Cathay Pacific miles through expenses on US credit cards. The signup bonus of 38,000 Asia Miles is somewhat on the lower side for a card of this kind, but with a low annual fee and many other benefits, the card is worthwhile.

The card uniquely rewards travelers for expenses abroad with a special rate of 1.5 Asia Miles per $1 spent on purchases made outside the United States. The card also matches the accrual schedules of most US credit cards, with double miles for aircraft purchases and 1.5 miles per $1 spent on dining in the United States.

Photo: Cathay Pacific

The card also provides membership to Cathay Pacific Green Club, which allows family members to share miles, something most US loyalty programs attempt to restrict. Nonetheless, if one is looking for a good way to earn Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, this card can be the solution.

Japan Airlines United States Credit Card

Offered through: First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO)

One of the few cobranded credit cards to be offered by Nebraska-based FNBO, the Japan Airlines USA card, as it is marketed by the carrier, is targeted at an extremely niche sector of the market. While not offering a hefty welcome bonus, the card does offer a modest 5,000 bonus miles as a reward for the first purchase made by a cardholder.

Photo: Japan Airlines

There are also two separate reward tiers offered by the card, which allow passengers to select which mileage accrual rates they would like for their purchases. According to the credit card’s website, 1 mile per $1 spent is awarded with the higher rewards tier while 1 mile per $2 spent is awarded with the lower tier. As a result, passengers will be assessed a $20 annual fee for the lower reward tier and a higher $70 for the higher tier.

The card also comes along with its slate of benefits, including hefty discounts on inflight purchases. At the end of the day, however, this card is an incredibly weak offering in the US market and only makes sense for those who lack any other option.

Likely the best point of comparison for this credit card is the ANA card, which in its description indicates that it is designed primarily for US-based employees of Japanese companies that are looking to begin building their credit in the United States. Nonetheless, some rewards are undoubtedly better than none so if one is in the set of circumstances that make the Japan Airlines USA card the best option, it can provide a window into the JAL and Oneworld loyalty network.