oneworld wins Favourite Airline Alliance in The Trazees

[MikeG]

​

01 August 2023 press release:

The oneworld® Alliance has once again been named Favourite Airline Alliance by readers of Trazee Travel, marking the sixth time that the global airline alliance has taken home the award.
Readers of Trazee Travel, an online publication for travellers aged 25 to 40, vote for their favourite travel providers annually. oneworld was named Favourite Airline Alliance in 2022 and previously received the award four other times.
oneworld members American Airlines and Cathay Pacific were also selected as winners in The Trazees this year. American won Favourite Airline Website for the sixth consecutive year while Cathay Pacific was named Favourite Airline in Asia.
Winners in The Trazees will be honoured at an awards reception on 15 August in Dallas, during the annual Global Business Travel Association convention. oneworld and its member airlines will host an exhibitor booth at the convention, showcasing the alliance’s value for business travel.
oneworld’s win in The Trazees follows several other awards for the premier airline alliance in the recent year. In November 2022, oneworld was named Best Airline Alliance by the readers of Business Traveller UK for the 10th time. Two months later, oneworld received the Best Airline Alliance awards from both Business Traveler USA and Global Traveler. In February 2023, oneworld was named Best Airline Alliance in the Cellars in the Sky Awards, in recognition of the alliance’s member airlines serving the best wine in-flight.
oneworld Governing Board Chairman and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Akbar Al Baker said: “We are delighted to be chosen as the Favourite Airline Alliance again by the valued readers of Trazee Travel. Their vote of confidence in oneworld further reinforces the alliance’s commitment to world-class customer service.”

 

[RooFlyer]

For those who, like me, haven't heard of Trazee

trazeetravel.com targets the sought-after under-40 traveler. A network of journalists updates travelers daily with content on subjects of unique interest to this demographic, focused on products, tips, reviews, events, Top 5 listicles, Under $100 day guides and trends covering a wide range of topics. Trazee Travel is the ultimate source of information for this group of intrepid young travelers. According to MediaMark Research (Gfk MRI), Trazee readers average six foreign trips every three years, with more than 90 percent holding passports. Traditional banner advertising is complemented with sponsored content and creative digital marketing, including Trazee on the Go and sponsored html newsletters. Editorial newsletters include Trazee Mail and Trazee on the Go, sent weekly. Each year, trazeetravel.com awards The Trazees, the favorite travel brands as selected by the readers of trazeetravel.com

listicle?

 

[justinbrett]

I think it's clearly the best alliance in terms of benefits (especially top tier - first class lounge level - recognition), but it is the smallest with fairly big gaps in coverage (especially South America). However Skyteam has a big gap in the Pacific, so really for most Australians it's oneworld vs Star; the latter being a huge alliance but very inconsistent benefits between airlines.

A better summary from a more reputable site: Oneworld Emerald: My Favorite Airline Alliance Status

 

[SYD]

I think it's clearly the best alliance in terms of benefits (especially top tier - first class lounge level - recognition), but it is the smallest with fairly big gaps in coverage (especially South America). However Skyteam has a big gap in the Pacific, so really for most Australians it's oneworld vs Star; the latter being a huge alliance but very inconsistent benefits between airlines.

A better summary from a more reputable site: Oneworld Emerald: My Favorite Airline Alliance Status

Yep, quantity (ie *A) doesn’t alway translate into quality. As per the article, having that differentiation for OWE makes a big difference IMHO. Well, apart from top tier FFs who just stay with their primary airline (a bit like a QF P1 only flying QF).

I would like to see OW regain/plug some coverage gaps following departures and quite a few airline collapses (some even before they completed the joining process).

 

[RooFlyer]

FWIW I'd agree that OW is the best Alliance overall, but as noted above, there are gaps with them all. While I like my lounges as much as anyone here, for me its ultimately the ability to get to where you want to go, not nearby (like I've said about hotel loyalty - I won't stay in a hotel not where I want to be just because I have high status with that chain and can visit the executive lounge).

The biggest (or should I say most felt) gap for OW is I think intra-Europe; unfortunately all 3 of their European based airlines are on the periphery. For my next RTW (of about 12 in the past decade) I'm doing Star Alliance for the second time because I'm doing a fair bit of intra-Europe and also Canada.

Also, flying Business, the 'inconsistency' between Star Alliance airlines (or any of them) falls away to a large extent.

Not sure how useful the following are, but just for info. They show ports operated out of, not necessarily ports you can fly between with the three Alliances.

OneWorld ports (map includes suspended S7 from Russia)



StarAlliance



SkyTeam

 

[justinbrett]

Also, flying Business, the 'inconsistency' between Star Alliance airlines (or any of them) falls away to a large extent.

Not first class lounges though (and other first class benefits), which is probably the single best part of oneworld.

If you're always flying J and only using J amenities, I'd argue you don't really need an alliance at all. If it's just about combining airlines on a single ticket, any good travel agent can do that with far more options than just a single alliance.

 

[RooFlyer]

Not first class lounges though (and other first class benefits), which is probably the single best part of oneworld.

If you're always flying J and only using J amenities, I'd argue you don't really need an alliance at all. If it's just about combining airlines on a single ticket, any good travel agent can do that with far more options than just a single alliance.

As to lounges, sure, as OW Emerald, I loved (still love - thank you AJ ) access to OW F lounges (unfortunately BA Concord Room or QR Al Safwa were always off-limits). But as I said, I choose my airline primarily to reach a my destination, not on my ability to access a F lounge. If several airlines fly my route, I'll make a decision based on timings, price as well as any status or cabin benefits.

And, honestly, the only OW lounges I'd really miss if I could never fly them again is Qantas Sydney and Cathay The Pier HKG and by now I've flown out of SYD so many times on non OW flights I no longer get traumatised by missing QF FLounge. SQ F when I can access it ain't that bad and a lot less crowded.

I agree re flying J on 'regular' itineraries - choose your airline; but a TA can't construct a 'mixed' RTW J with 16 sectors (or even 4-6!!) anywhere near the price as any of the alliance bundles. OW has usually suited me for these - next time its Star Alliance, again, due to my focus on Europe and Canada (for the first time in many years). I'm no longer wedded to any particular airline, any particular alliance. Its great!

 

[justinbrett]

As to lounges, sure, as OW Emerald, I loved (still love - thank you AJ ) access to OW F lounges (unfortunately BA Concord Room or QR Al Safwa were always off-limits). But as I said, I choose my airline primarily to reach a my destination, not on my ability to access a F lounge. If several airlines fly my route, I'll make a decision based on timings, price as well as any status or cabin benefits.

And, honestly, the only OW lounges I'd really miss if I could never fly them again is Qantas Sydney and Cathay The Pier HKG and by now I've flown out of SYD so many times on non OW flights I no longer get traumatised by missing QF FLounge. SQ F when I can access it ain't that bad and a lot less crowded.

I agree re flying J on 'regular' itineraries - choose your airline; but a TA can't construct a 'mixed' RTW J with 16 sectors (or even 4-6!!) anywhere near the price as any of the alliance bundles. OW has usually suited me for these - next time its Star Alliance, again, due to my focus on Europe and Canada (for the first time in many years). I'm no longer wedded to any particular airline, any particular alliance. Its great!

But you're just talking about booking specific trips, which is what I was saying - if you're flying J then it's all irrelevant.

I think most people talk about alliance in context of loyalty, and I think most can agree you get more bang for your buck being a oneworld status holder (certainly OWE), providing your destinations of interest line up with the offerings. That might mean Star suits some Australians better, but I think the vast majority of Australians are served well by oneworld, with excellent coverage in the UK & USA, and our domestic market.

 

[SYD]

But you're just talking about booking specific trips, which is what I was saying - if you're flying J then it's all irrelevant.

I think most people talk about alliance in context of loyalty, and I think most can agree you get more bang for your buck being a oneworld status holder (certainly OWE), providing your destinations of interest line up with the offerings. That might mean Star suits some Australians better, but I think the vast majority of Australians are served well by oneworld, with excellent coverage in the UK & USA, and our domestic market.

Especially those not able to fly up front and also noting that VA status is a non-starter in whY anywhere away from partner hubs (and not good departing Oz most of the time).

Meanwhile in *A land, I recall going to the common lounge at CDG T1 - technically a nice lounge but a complete zoo with F/J pax and all shades of A*G members in whY.

 

[RooFlyer]

But you're just talking about booking specific trips, which is what I was saying - if you're flying J then it's all irrelevant.

I think most people talk about alliance in context of loyalty, and I think most can agree you get more bang for your buck being a oneworld status holder (certainly OWE), providing your destinations of interest line up with the offerings. That might mean Star suits some Australians better, but I think the vast majority of Australians are served well by oneworld, with excellent coverage in the UK & USA, and our domestic market.

You seem to be making points of difference for the sake of it.

You (and OMaaT) are focussing on alliance status benefits; fair enough. I'm looking at what the alliances offer me as a whole - destinations, connections, services, and perks. We'll naturally come to different conclusions.

I agreed with your points before, except that if travelling on multiple sector RTW, its still most economical to choose one of the alliance RTW bundles. That's not saying the Star Alliance bundle is cheaper, or better, but saying that alliance bundles are over TA-constructed multiple sector itineraries - and so if price is a factor, then you do need to choose an alliance and go with its bundle

I won't even disagree that most Australians are served well by OneWorld (if for no other reason than the country's dominant carrier, Qantas, is in OneWorld ) but that agreement stops, as I said, when Australians want to fly intra-Europe.

I think most can agree you get more bang for your buck being a oneworld status holder (certainly OWE), providing your destinations of interest line up with the offerings.

Which is the point I made, but not in terms of status. If your destinations of interest are intra-Europe, or Canada, then Star Alliance is the simplest way to go. Other parts of the world - other alliances. Simples.

Meanwhile in *A land, I recall going to the common lounge at CDG T1 - technically a nice lounge but a complete zoo with F/J pax and all shades of A*G members in whY.

CDG/France would be SkyTeam land, wouldn't it?

 

[justinbrett]

You seem to be making points of difference for the sake of it.

You (and OMaaT) are focussing on alliance status benefits; fair enough. I'm looking at what the alliances offer me as a whole - destinations, connections, services, and perks. We'll naturally come to different conclusions.

I agreed with your points before, except that if travelling on multiple sector RTW, its still most economical to choose one of the alliance RTW bundles. That's not saying the Star Alliance bundle is cheaper, or better, but saying that alliance bundles are over TA-constructed multiple sector itineraries - and so if price is a factor, then you do need to choose an alliance and go with its bundle

But that's my point. You're not looking at alliances as clubs to choose between, join, and pledge your loyalty - you're looking at them as travel providers to pick and choose depending on your travel needs at that specific time.

That's two different arguments. The latter doesn't require a choice.

Even as OWE, if I had a trip that made sense to do on Star then there's nothing stopping me booking that. I'm probably going to get as looked after flying J as any *G member does flying J.

In terms of picking a team however, there is a clear winner IMO, at least in our neck of the woods. It is also one that gives you significantly more benefits flying RTW J if you have OWE status, unless you want to spring for RTW F. Now if you only have OWS status, the playing field is much more level.

 

[SYD]

CDG/France would be SkyTeam land, wouldn't it?

Yes, which is why *A has a shared lounge at T1.

 

[RooFlyer]

But that's my point. You're not looking at alliances as clubs to choose between, join, and pledge your loyalty - you're looking at them as travel providers to pick and choose depending on your travel needs at that specific time.

That's two different arguments. The latter doesn't require a choice.

Scratching head trying to make sense of this. Yes, as I've said, I AM looking at airlines and their alliance partners to provide my travel needs at a specific time. And so yes, its two different arguments - exactly as I said. Again, you seem to be re-hashing points of difference as if its a problem. For me its not a problem, its a product of looking at airline alliances in different ways, which I believe is allowed. Let's let it drop.

In terms of picking a team however, there is a clear winner IMO, at least in our neck of the woods. It is also one that gives you significantly more benefits flying RTW J if you have OWE status, unless you want to spring for RTW F. Now if you only have OWS status, the playing field is much more level.

Oh, well, you'll continue to cheer for your team - good stuff. But, sorry It is also one that gives you significantly more benefits flying RTW J if you have OWE status, unless you want to spring for RTW F. is just so much arrant nonsense - I've done both: StarA (while Aeroplan Super Elite(P1 equiv) ) and OneW (while Qantas FF Plat). Have you? One of the chief 'benefits' an airline/alliance has internationally must be that it actually flies to the route you want to go, or least it is for me. If I want to fly from WAW to MUC, or YYZ to YYC, or AKL to SCL, personally I wouldn't go via LHR or JFK or SYD just to use a nice First lounge.# But some might. More power to 'em; there's no argument here.

# Or say SYD-NRT via SIN to flip the alliances

 

[pauly7]

Sounds about as credible as the Freddie awards and Skytrax ratings. Yawn

 

[justinbrett]

Scratching head trying to make sense of this. Yes, as I've said, I AM looking at airlines and their alliance partners to provide my travel needs at a specific time. And so yes, its two different arguments - exactly as I said. Again, you seem to be re-hashing points of difference as if its a problem. For me its not a problem, its a product of looking at airline alliances in different ways, which I believe is allowed. Let's let it drop.

It's not a problem, there's just not a lot of discussion to be had with your line of argument. If you don't have to choose, then there's really not much need for comparison - it will be specific to your travel plans.

I'm not critising your logic, I agree with it - but most people are looking for an alliance to join and obtain status in.

Oh, well, you'll continue to cheer for your team - good stuff.

Your team too twice over, is it not? (QR & QF)

But, sorry It is also one that gives you significantly more benefits flying RTW J if you have OWE status, unless you want to spring for RTW F. is just so much arrant nonsense - I've done both: StarA (while Aeroplan Super Elite(P1 equiv) ) and OneW (while Qantas FF Plat). Have you?

Not sure how that's nonsense - it's pretty much the #1 thing people say when they argue oneworld is the best alliance for elites.

The ability to book any class, including J, and receive F benefits across the alliance. No, not just lounges, a range of benefits for OWE/F vs OWS/J.

Which other *A airlines extend F privileges to Aeroplan Super Elite? It was my understanding none do. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[jase05]

I think all alliances do some things well and some things poor and personally I don’t pick airlines because of any alliance as flying in J you get pretty well looked after by all. As mentioned above I so think OW is probably the best for elites but I still find that they have some areas that let them down.
I do think OW is the worst of the 3 for priority baggage for instance and my bags often come out last or after pleb bags come out. Compare that to SkyTeam and in nearly every single one of my flights in recent years my bags are in the first dozen or so.
All alliances seem to have some decent sized holes in their networks and will be interested to see if the alliances look to plug those gaps in the coming years

 

[MikeG]

Sounds about as credible as the Freddie awards and Skytrax ratings. Yawn

Its a press release FROM OneWorld, so they obviously think it has credence.

 

[RooFlyer]

Your team too twice over, is it not? (QR & QF)

QR is my favourite airline (for J travel), QF decidedly not so for a while now. But I'm not loyal - blindly or otherwise - to my 'team'. I flew SQ to and from Europe in April and I'll be flying Star Alliance airlines again for my next RTW. QR to Turkey in September. Etihad back home from there. Qantas to and from Sth America at Christmas. I fly the airline that suits me at the time, while milking alliance benefits when I can get them.

Broadening this out a bit to something possibly more interesting to others, there has been discussion over recent years over whether the day of the airline alliance had passed. I don't think so but maybe I'm an example of why that sort of thinking has emerged.

Not sure how that's nonsense - it's pretty much the #1 thing people say when they argue oneworld is the best alliance for elites.

Well, they would say that when they are arguing at oneworld is the best for elites, wouldn't they? . People arguing that Star Alliance is the better one would probably say something else but that wouldn't make the statement any truer either.

I say its nonsense because It is also one that gives you significantly more benefits flying RTW J if you have OWE status, unless you want to spring for RTW F. isn't my experience (having done both) and anyway 'more benefits' is a pretty subjective thing, rather than the absolute as stated.

Which other *A airlines extend F privileges to Aeroplan Super Elite? It was my understanding none do. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Not that I recall# but yet again, that's not the only thing I value - have another read of what I wrote after aeroplan, above. Not. just. lounges.

# I was admitted to the Hon Circle Lounge at FRA once but I think that was a mistake.

 

[justinbrett]

QR is my favourite airline (for J travel), QF decidedly not so for a while now. But I'm not loyal - blindly or otherwise - to my 'team'. I flew SQ to and from Europe in April and I'll be flying Star Alliance airlines again for my next RTW. QR to Turkey in September. Etihad back home from there. Qantas to and from Sth America at Christmas. I fly the airline that suits me at the time, while milking alliance benefits when I can get them.

Sure but I'm using "team" in the context of alliances, not airlines, and like it or not QF and QR are on the same team - even if they don't play nicely together.

I get you don't feel the need to pick a team, but that shouldn't detract from others trying to make a comparison. Particularly for those who can't always afford to fly J, airline status is important to many, and are usually better off pooling into a single program, in a single alliance, hence the discussion.

I say its nonsense because It is also one that gives you significantly more benefits flying RTW J if you have OWE status, unless you want to spring for RTW F. isn't my experience (having done both) and anyway 'more benefits' is a pretty subjective thing, rather than the absolute as stated.

I'm not sure how this point is controversial, let alone nonsesnse. Quite objectively OWE get benefits above OW J on most if not all OW airlines. Not just lounges - different check in queues, extra baggage, possibly better seats, - the OMAAT article lists these quite comprehensively.

The point being that because *A doesn't offer an F-level alliance status, flying J, you're not going to get those same F level benefits that you do on ow unless you hold the status with the individual airline.

 

[RooFlyer]

@justinbrett I'm not going to debate this further ( cheers from the sidelines ). You are just rehashing things which Ive said I have no problem with, but I just have different views, and from what I can make out, much more experience across the two main alliance airlines so I'm comfortable in the comparisons I make and observe.

Safe traveling.