Philippine Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding to join the Oneworld alliance, expanding how travelers can use AAdvantage miles and elite status perks on PAL flights. The Manila-based carrier is set to become a full alliance partner alongside airl
By the time you scroll to your next award search, your loyalty wallet may look a little different. Over the weekend. Oneworld announced that Philippine Airlines is set to become its newest member. moving the Manila-based carrier into the same alliance ecosystem as American and more than a dozen other global airlines.
The announcement came after Philippine Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Saturday at the International Air Transport Association’s general meeting in Brazil. Once the carrier becomes a full-fledged alliance partner. it will join the alliance network of American Airlines. British Airways. Iberia. Qatar Airways. Qantas and Japan Airlines. among others.
For frequent travelers, the change is about what happens when you cash in points. In the future. passengers will be able to redeem AAdvantage miles on Philippine Airlines flights to Manila. and even to other destinations across Asia. The same goes for elite status benefits tied to AAdvantage—lounge access. priority boarding and free baggage—when flying on Philippine Airlines.
That benefit flow isn’t limited to American loyalists. Avios holders, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles members, and travelers using award currency from other Oneworld carriers will have similar opportunities to earn and redeem across the alliance’s network.
The big underlying shift is how loyalty status travels with you. Typically, Oneworld elite members receive reciprocal benefits on partner airlines when they book using the loyalty number tied to the program where they hold status.
Philippine Airlines’ entry also changes what “partner” looks like for U.S. travelers. Alaska Airlines. another Oneworld member. already had a more limited partnership with PAL that let travelers earn Atmos Rewards points on Philippine Airlines flights. That arrangement is expected to deepen once Philippine Airlines becomes an Oneworld member.
From its home base at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila. Philippine Airlines currently serves five airports in the U.S.: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu.
With Philippine Airlines arriving in Oneworld, travelers can use Oneworld award currency to fly straight to Manila. There’s also the option to build routings through other alliance airlines—for example, flying Hawaiian Airlines to Honolulu and then connecting to the Philippines.
American travelers could also use AAdvantage miles on Philippine Airlines to Manila and then connect onward to one of the many destinations PAL serves across Asia. And if you hold status with American—or with Alaska. or with British Airways—those elite benefits would be available on Philippine Airlines flights in line with the alliance’s reciprocal model.
Oneworld’s expanding map matters here too. Philippine Airlines will become the 16th Oneworld carrier, with 17 airline brands in total when including both Alaska and the recently acquired Hawaiian. Recent entrants also include Oman Air and Fiji Airways.
Philippine Airlines described the move as a “defining and transformative moment” for the airline. American, in turn, framed PAL’s entry as a boost to its partner footprint in the Pacific. American CEO Robert Isom said: “Philippine Airlines’ entry into Oneworld supports our long‑term strategic growth and strengthens our connectivity across key markets in the Asia Pacific region. The airline has a proud heritage and will serve a critical role in our Southeast Asia network.”.
Philippine Airlines Oneworld American Airlines Alaska Airlines AAdvantage miles elite status perks Avios Cathay Pacific Asia Miles loyalty benefits Ninoy Aquino International Airport Manila Robert Isom
So my miles can be used on Philippine Airlines now? Finally.
I don’t get it. If it’s joining Oneworld does that mean it’s basically the same as American Airlines? Like same rewards, same lounges, same everything? Seems kinda too good to be true.
Wait, it says AAdvantage miles can be redeemed “to Manila and even to other destinations across Asia” … so are they just adding routes, or is it only for people who already have the right credit card or something? I tried looking up an award search and it wouldn’t show anything, so I’m confused.
This is gonna make prices go up for sure. Every time alliances do this they slowly jack everything. Also Oneworld already has like a million airlines, why do we need another one? I’m just worried the baggage perk won’t actually work unless you’re flying nonstop or booking through the “right” website.