American Airlines Reveals Timeline For Reciprocal Benefits and US Airways Oneworld Entry

American Airlines and its US Airways unit in “early January” will begin to offer members of their respective loyalty programs the ability to accrue and redeem miles on both carriers and to enjoy reciprocal lounge access.

In addition, US Airways will exit the Star Alliance on March 30, 2014, which will end codeshare arrangements with United Airlines.

On the next day, March 31, US Airways will join American Airlines’ oneworld alliance, meaning Dividend Miles members will be able to earn and redeem miles, take advantage of reciprocal elite benefits and also lounge access from oneworld’s roster of airlines, including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia and LAN, for example.

The new American Airlines president, Scott Kirby, who held the same post at US Airways prior to the merger, revealed these milestones today, several hours after the merger closed, in an email to loyalty program members.

Kirby indicated that the airlines will operate separately for an extended period, as is customary, and that there will be no immediate impact to existing reservations or mileage balances.

Here’s the full text of Kirby’s email:

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