American Airlines and China Southern Launch Frequent Flyer Partnership


Skift Take

American's loyalty members may no longer have to worry about the mixed messages coming from China Southern and its plans to join the Oneworld Alliance. With a new partnership, frequent flyers on both carriers will now be able to reap benefits — with or without China Southern playing a role in Oneworld.
Despite repeated claims from all sides that China Southern has no interest in joining the Oneworld alliance, American Airlines and Asia's largest carrier are moving forward with a frequent flyer partnership. The new arrangement announced Wednesday will allow American's AAdvantage and China Southern's Sky Pearl Club members the ability to earn and redeem miles on each other's flights. Mileage earning for passengers will go into effect March 21, and online availability is planned for later this year. In the meantime,