Another day another airline merger, this time it has to do with Chile's LAN and Brazil's TA.
The new combined airline, the LATAM Airlines Group, announced that they will take their talent to the oneworld alliance.
Meaning, members of the oneworld frequent-flier program and their own frequent-flier participants will now be able to share miles.
"We evaluated all the existing possibilities and chose the alliance that offers the best benefits to our passengers, in addition to the best connectivity and products, as well as the greater synergies for LATAM Airlines Group. We are very happy with the decision" LATAM CEO Enrique Cueto said in a statement, according to USA Today.
Adding, "With the incorporation of LATAM Airlines Group to oneworld, passengers flying with us will be able to book trips through the oneworld network of destinations and connect from any of the 950 destinations, including distant and exotic ones such as Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow or Melbourne, through oneworld member airlines," according to USA Today.
This doesn't change much for LAN and its customers because they have been a longstanding member of oneworld, which includes American and British Airways among its members.
The move will be felt by TAM, due to them currently being a member of the Star Alliance, which includes United, Air Canada and Lufthansa.
LATAM says TAM will withdraw from Star Alliance during the second quarter of 2014, on a date to be announced later in 2013.
However, in a bit of good news LATAM said that frequent fliers will retain the kilometers/miles/points accumulated from flying with Star Alliance member airlines as well as maintain their respective frequent flyer status during and after the transition period, provided they are registered with the TAM Fidelidade program. LAN and TAM will proactively inform their passengers of any changes in the process, according to USA Today.
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This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
