First time using the RJ status

[JDB]

@strickers – from what you say, perhaps Sabre doesn’t use the two fields – FQTV and FF as Amadeus and BABS do. I think that when you make a booking with BA it may automatically populate both, but when manually amending via another OW site, only one may get changed.

I’m slightly guessing here, but it’s a logical explanation as it sounds from your post and others that these US airlines can see your card which is where any TP/Miles would get credited, but they can’t see it for the benefits such as seat selection or lounge. If that’s right, BA should be able to fix it.

[strickers]

@JDB Thanks for that, I’ll ask BA who it is booked under if they can do anything? Alaska are updating their systems at the moment so I think I will wait for it to update. Alaska have removed and added the RJ FF number and it didn’t fix anything though.

[itmightbepoints]

As a point of reference, I called BA today to try and update my FF. After 15mins on hold a helpful agent said there was no FF for me (was showing on BA.com) and repopulated it.
He said now it was showing as OW Ruby.
I just need to see if AA now sees the same.

[itmightbepoints]

American says they still can’t see the status. But RH and BA can… 🥲

[itmightbepoints]

After 30minutes on the phone to AA and being put on hold a few times, the recommended solution was to pay for seats and claim a refund.

[Scottydogg]

I was the original poster to this thread and have just come back from a trip to the USA and this Royal Jordanian status seems to be a bit of a Scam to be honest.

We had flights booked with American Airlines and Alaska , neither of them recognised the Royal Jordanian Status so no benefits received.
Was a bit embarrassing to be honest , queued up at priority check in with American , then she said that my Frequent flyer number wasnt showing up as Sapphire . I showed her it on my phone through the RJ app . She said One world were it matching it as if it was Sapphire it would have shown on her system.
Same as Alaska , we had a few bags that needed checked in and sapphire status gets you a bag allocation so i put the FF number in on the booking. Again at the airport the lady said that the system wasnt showing that i had Sapphire so got stung for $100 baggage fee. She advised i speak to Royal Jordanian to try and get it fixed.
Same on the way back with American , queued at priority check in and was told i shouldn’t have as i dont have Sapphire , again showed her it on my phone and she gave me the beneifit of the doubt but told me their system doesnt show any matched status.

I didnt even try the AA lounge at the fear of more embarrassment

I Think paying for the status match was a bit of a Scam and id probably like a refund.

I have sent 2 emails to Royal Jordanian from emails i found , will see if i get a reply from them at all.

Is there a way of contacting One World for them to look into it , or is that not an option ?

[Steven]

I think the fault here lies more at the door of American & Alaska Airlines rather than RJ.

I recently flew with Finnair and added in my RJ ff no. We received free seat selection, priority check in, extra baggage, priority boarding and lounge access.

What you have suggested is reasonable – I would get in touch with Oneworld directly and copy in both airlines.

The Oneworld website clearly shows that RJ Gold = OW sapphire.

Good luck.

[Rui N.]

Like other people suggested in another thread, it seems the status follows fine to airlines that use Amadeus, but not those with Sabre (which is the case of AA and Alaska). Not much that RJ can do if the OW partners don’t bother integrating their systems properly.

[JDB]

Rui N. wrote:

Like other people suggested in another thread, it seems the status follows fine to airlines that use Amadeus, but not those with Sabre (which is the case of AA and Alaska). Not much that RJ can do if the OW partners don’t bother integrating their systems properly.

In addition to this issue with US airlines (which I don’t think is exclusively an Amadeus vs Sabre issue), I think there is some misapprehension as to the universality of OW benefits and that sometimes fare type/bucket trumps status.

[QFFlyer]

Rui N. wrote:

Like other people suggested in another thread, it seems the status follows fine to airlines that use Amadeus, but not those with Sabre (which is the case of AA and Alaska). Not much that RJ can do if the OW partners don’t bother integrating their systems properly.

While this is true and very annoying, I have never had a problem using OWE benefits from QF on AA or AS – as long as you can actually access the booking (which will have two PNRs if booked via an Amadeus airline and operated by a SABRE airline).

For example. AA booked on AA will only have a SABRE PNR, which won’t work on the QF et al websites; AA booked via BA (and vice versa) will have both. I have made several QF bookings using AA miles, they (QF) seem to be able to recognise the AA PNR in these circumstances and spit out the QF one, but this is a lucky coincidence, usually you have to ask the airline for it, then go into the operating carrier’s MMB page to make whatever changes you need.

As for AA not recognising the status at all, that’s their, or RJ’s, issue – they’re quite rudely firm in refusing to change the FFN on their own FFP bookings (i.e. AA on AA), so on my booking a while back in these circumstances I was shown as a nothing – no mileage accrual, so no issues, but I just used the QF card for all the benefits (luckily it being ex-LAX, the lounge is a QF lounge anyway, not sure how you’d go elsewhere – but that said, if they checked then it definitely showed up as Emerald, so that part might be a RJ problem.

[strickers]

@QFFlyer I have both PNRs, I can access the booking using OW airlines, Royal Air Maroc etc. I can access the booking on Alaskan using the alternate PNR, the RJ FF shows on both systems. Using a OW system I can select premium seats but they don’t stick, on Alaskan I can’t and their helpline says it doesn’t see that I am OW Emerald.

[Lyn]

@QFFlyer, I’m not sure if this is the same situation as you were referring to? As long as you can find an experienced customer service agent, AA can definitely add another OW frequent number for status to bookings made using AA miles. This is an addition to the AA number, which they can’t change or override, and is the case for travel on either AA or other OW flights. It sounds as if you were unlucky with the agent you talked with.

[redethernet1]

How does one use their RJ status at a BA desk for example as they are part of the OneWorld alliance. Im specifically asking about business check in desks

Do I just say my RJ number
How do I link this to my BA flight BEFORE booking?

Thanks

[chelseafifi]

All worked great so far for my CFU flight tomorrow, family of 6 traveling, checked in, the 6 exit row seats selected last month have stuck, extra luggage showing, boarding group 2 (rather then my usual 7 😀). I know lounge access is myself and one guest only, can I please ask what about priority security, I can’t see anything on boarding passes, should we just go to standard security, as there are 6 of us, then I assume can use priority when traveling as a couple on our next trip? Thank you

[strickers]

@chelseafifi Fast track is only a benefit of OW Emerald not Sapphire when travelling with BA I believe?

[chelseafifi]

strickers wrote:

@chelseafifi Fast track is only a benefit of OW Emerald not Sapphire when travelling with BA I believe?

The original article by Rob quoted “Priority security? Tick“ when traveling with BA

[strickers]

https://www.britishairways.com/content/information/partners-and-alliances/oneworld/frequent-flyer-benefits

[tootsci]

I had ‘fast track’ printed on my boarding pass last month flying BA Economy from LHR to BCN last month as an RJ Gold Sparrow – didn’t bother using it as there were no queues in regular security so can’t 100% confirm but I assume would have worked ok?

Edit: though that link just posted by @Strickers would suggest otherwise?

[Lyn]

I’ve always been able to use Fast Track at LHR and LGW with OW Sapphire status, but perhaps it depends on the country or airport?

[Deek]

Lyn wrote:

I’ve always been able to use Fast Track at LHR and LGW with OW Sapphire status, but perhaps it depends on the country or airport?

Yeah it works at the London airports, but location dependent elsewhere.

[chelseafifi]

Interesting different experiences. To quote the original article…..

Royal Jordanian is a member of the oneworld alliance, alongside British Airways. If you have Gold Sparrow status with Royal Jordanian, you will receive virtually all of the benefits of British Airways Silver status when you fly with BA:

BA lounge access for you and a guest? Tick
Priority security? Tick
Extra baggage allowance? Tick
Use business class check-in desks? Tick
Free seat selection? Tick
Priority boarding? Tick

Following online check in this morning & for my entire party of six on my booking,
Free seats selected last month on receipt of Gold Sparrow status
Extra baggage allowance received
Priority boarding as group 2 showing.

So I am aware BA lounge access is one guest only
Priority security maybe one guest only, or not at all?
Use of business class check-in desks ????

[Rui N.]

Biz class check in, check.
I believe fast track is only one guest as well, and only on certain airports.

[yonasl]

So I am aware BA lounge access is one guest only Yup, only you plus ONE (and any kids below 2yr old)
Priority security maybe one guest only YES
, or not at all? ONE guest (depending on the airport)
Use of business class check-in desks ???? ALL THE PARTY (even if not on same booking)

[tontoro]

Just to add my experience of being RJ Silver:

Have managed to select seats for free 1 week in advance on BA.

Have had same problems as everyone else with AA. Ended up paying for seats (2 MCE and 2 Preferred) and have asked for a refund. AA have come back saying no refund due, but I’m not sure they understand what I as asking for, so I’ve gone back to them.

[9xolaereht]

Has anyone had any further luck with RJ/AA?