LATAM leaving oneworld on 30th April – earlier than we expected

As we covered last September, Latin and South American airline LATAM is to leave the oneworld alliance following the announcement of an equity and flying partnership with US airline Delta.

Once LATAM leaves oneworld, you will not be able to earn Avios and tier points on its services.

It is possible that you may retain the ability to earn Avios if British Airways or Iberia retain bilateral partnerships with LATAM outside of oneworld.  However, it is very unlikely that you would earn British Airways Executive Club tier points.

We thought LATAM was leaving oneworld on 30th September.  This was the date being quoted by Qantas on its website.

It turns out this was overtly optimistic.

Last night oneworld put out a statement to say that LATAM was leaving oneworld on 30th April.

This is what is happening and how it impacts your ability to earn and spend Avios:

LATAM Airlines Group will end its membership in the oneworld alliance effective 1 May 2020, following the group’s decision to leave the alliance.

oneworld benefits for LATAM customers will be offered on oneworld flights up to and including 30 April 2020. LATAM Pass members will not receive oneworld frequent flyer benefits offered by Royal Air Maroc, which joins oneworld effective 1 April. LATAM will not offer oneworld frequent flyer member benefits to Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer members.

oneworld member airlines will continue to serve more than 30 airports in Central and South America, with more than 100 flights to and from the region daily, offered by American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Qantas, Qatar Airways as well as member-elect Royal Air Maroc.

A number of oneworld member airlines plan to maintain frequent flyer agreements with LATAM after 30 April. Customers are advised to contact their airlines or visit the airlines’ frequent flyer programme websites for more information.

For more information on oneworld benefits as LATAM withdraws from the alliance, please refer to the FAQs below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I redeem award seats on LATAM as a frequent flyer of other oneworld member airlines?

Until and including 30 April 2020, frequent flyer programme members across oneworld member frequent flyer programmes will be able to redeem miles/points for award seats on LATAM.

LATAM Pass frequent flyer programme members may also redeem miles/points for award seats on oneworld carriers until and including 30 April 2020.

All redemption tickets that have been ticketed up to 30 April 2020 remain valid for travel, however, customers will not be eligible for oneworld tier status benefits if travel occurs after 30 April 2020.

A number of oneworld member airlines plan to maintain frequent flyer agreements with LATAM after 30 April. Customers are advised to contact their airlines for more information.

Can I earn frequent flyer rewards and tier status points as a frequent flyer of other oneworld member airlines when I travel on LATAM?

Frequent flyer members in any oneworld frequent flyer programme will be able to earn rewards and tier status points on LATAM marketed and operated flights in accordance with the rules outlined by each member airline until and including 30 April 2020.*

LATAM Pass frequent flyer programme members may also continue to earn rewards and tier status points on other oneworld carriers until and including 30 April 2020.

A number of oneworld member airlines plan to maintain frequent flyer agreements with LATAM after 30 April. Customers are advised to contact their airlines for more information.

Can I access LATAM lounges as a oneworld frequent flyer?

Emerald and Sapphire tier members of all other oneworld airlines’ frequent flyer programmes may continue to use LATAM lounges until and including 30 April 2020, in line with oneworld’s existing arrangements.

LATAM Pass Black Signature, Black and Platinum cardholders will be able to use the lounges of other oneworld member airlines until and including 30 April 2020, in line with oneworld’s existing arrangements.

After 30 April, a number of oneworld member airlines plan to maintain frequent flyer agreements with LATAM, which may include lounge access. Customers are advised to contact their airlines for more information.

Will I receive other oneworld benefits when I travel with LATAM?

Members of all other oneworld airlines’ frequent flyer programmes will continue to receive all other oneworld frequent flyer services and benefits (additional baggage allowances, priority check-in, boarding, waitlisting, etc.) when they fly on LATAM until and including 30 April 2020.

Likewise, members of LATAM Pass will continue to receive all other oneworld frequent flyer services and benefits when they fly on the other oneworld airlines until and including 30 April 2020.

A number of oneworld member airlines plan to maintain frequent flyer agreements with LATAM after 30 April. Customers are advised to contact their airlines for more information.

I am a LATAM Pass member, will I receive oneworld benefits offered by Royal Air Maroc?

Royal Air Maroc will not provide oneworld benefits to LATAM Pass members, including but not limited to frequent flyer accrual redemption and top tier airport benefits, such as Lounge Access, Priority Boarding and Check-in, priority waitlist and standby, and access to priority baggage benefits.

I am a Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer member, will I receive oneworld benefits offered by LATAM?

LATAM will not provide oneworld benefits to Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer members, including but not limited to frequent flyer accrual redemption and top tier airport benefits, such as Lounge Access, Priority Boarding and Check-in, priority waitlist and standby, and access to priority baggage benefits.

I am a customer of oneworld fare products (oneworld Explorer, Global Explorer, and Circle Pacific). How will I be affected?

All sectors on LATAM and its affiliates booked and ticketed as part of a oneworld fare product remain valid even if travel occurs after 30 April 2020, as long as ticketed on or before 30 April 2020.

Customers flying on LATAM will not be eligible for oneworld tier status benefits if travel occurs after 30 April 2020.

I have a ticket for a flight on LATAM, issued by a oneworld member. Will my travel plans be affected?

Tickets issued for travel on LATAM by other oneworld member airlines will remain valid for travel. Please contact the ticketing airline in case of any changes to your travel.

I have a ticket for a flight operated by another oneworld member, issued by LATAM. Will my travel plans be affected?

Tickets issued for travel on other oneworld members by LATAM remain valid for travel. Please contact LATAM in case of any changes to your travel.