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The Oneworld Alliance May Be About to Gain a New Member, Royal Air Maroc

Nov. 27, 2018
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3 min read
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The Oneworld Alliance May Be About to Gain a New Member, Royal Air Maroc
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The Oneworld airline alliance may be about to gain a new member.

The chief executive of Moroccan flag carrier Royal Air Maroc, Abdelhamid Addou, will be in New York for an event on Dec. 5, according to an emailed invitation from the airline — the same day that the Oneworld alliance holds a meeting of its governing board in the city. Neither the airline nor the alliance have issued any statements, but the CEO's presence in New York is a strong hint that the African airline may be about to join.

Oneworld, whose founding members include American Airlines and British Airways, is one of the three airline alliances that dominate the air transport world. Alliances typically coordinate their frequent flyer programs, resulting in the ability to earn and spend miles all across their global networks, a huge convenience for passengers.

27-airline Star Alliance, headed by United and Lufthansa, is the world's biggest by number of members. SkyTeam, which includes Delta and Air France, has 20 members. Oneworld has 13, but it includes the largest airline in the world by passengers carried, American.

Royal Air Maroc, also know by the acronym RAM, serves New York JFK and two other destinations in North America — Washington and Montreal — with a modern fleet of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. Miami will be added next April and Boston in July, according to the airline.

Next month RAM will introduce its first stretched 787-9, beginning Dec. 21 from JFK, which will add more seats compared to the -8 model. RAM's Dreamliners are configured in a 2-2-2 business-class layout; TPG has reviewed the airline's offering on the 787 both in business and economy.

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The airline's appeal for Oneworld, which has no members in fast-growing Africa, might lie chiefly in its West African network, served with a relatively big fleet of 37 Boeing 737s. The airline's route map highlights RAM's presence in West Africa, from its hub in Casablanca (CMN).

Screen grab from Royal Air Maroc site.

Royal Air Maroc flights are currently bookable with Etihad miles and Iberia Avios. If indeed the airline joins Oneworld, you could earn and redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles seamlessly on it.

Chief executive Addou has been leading the airline since 2016, when he was appointed by King Mohamed VI. Royal Air Maroc is majority owned by the Moroccan government, which holds close to 96% of the shares. Oneworld member Iberia has 0.95%, and Air France around 2.85% — the Air France stake could end up being sold if RAM joins Oneworld, since the French airline is a leading member of rival alliance SkyTeam.

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.