Fiji Airways will implement American Airlines' AAdvantage as its loyalty program

Fiji Airways announced this week that it will transition to American Airlines' AAdvantage as its loyalty program within the next year.

Travelers flying with both American and Fiji can look forward to shared loyalty benefits, including priority check-in, as well as AAdvantage elite status perks like priority boarding, complimentary checked bags, and free access to Preferred and Main Cabin Extra seating.

This announcement follows Fiji's recent approval to join the Oneworld Alliance by 2025.

Fiji's managing director and CEO Andrew Viljoen expressed enthusiasm about the beneficial effects this partnership will have on both airlines and their customers, who will enjoy exclusive advantages.

A growing alliance

The two airlines currently share a partnership, though it is somewhat limited. Previously, American Airlines' loyal customers could earn and use AAdvantage miles on select Fiji flights, but those flights did not contribute to AAdvantage elite status.

While their relationship would have already been strengthened with Fiji's entry into Oneworld in 2025, Fiji Airways' choice to implement the AAdvantage frequent flyer program marks a much deeper collaboration between the two airlines.

"We are enhancing our collaboration with Fiji Airways by providing our shared customers the chance to discover more destinations and travel experiences via the AAdvantage program," stated Anmol Bhargava, American's vice president of partnerships.

Collaborating on loyalty programs

It’s not entirely unusual for one airline to adopt the loyalty program of another.

For example, various airlines in Europe and across the globe utilize the award currency Avios, which includes British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus (all under the same parent company, International Airlines Group), along with Finnair and Qatar Airways.

Actually, American Airlines made a comparable decision recently. In March, TPG reported that the South American airline JetSmart would also adopt AAdvantage as its loyalty program.

Traveling with Fiji Airways

Fiji currently offers flights to 26 destinations across 15 countries and territories worldwide.

Alongside services to Hawaii, the airline provides direct flights from the contiguous U.S. to West Coast hubs Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), utilizing the Airbus A350-900.

There is no confirmed timeline for when the two airlines will officially merge — the companies have indicated it will occur "in the coming year."

Maximize your spending

Looking to earn AAdvantage miles for an upcoming trip to Fiji? New cardholders who add the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) to their portfolio can receive 70,000 bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first three months of opening the account.

This card, which has an annual fee of $595, also provides free access to American's network of Admirals Clubs.