LATAM Airlines Partners: Delta, Qantas and What Changed After oneworld

LATAM left oneworld in 2020. Older guides and forum posts may still describe it as a oneworld airline, and some travellers still expect oneworld status benefits to apply on LATAM flights.

They don't carry over automatically. Benefits now depend on whether your own programme has a separate partnership with LATAM. Qantas does; someone with status in another former oneworld partner's programme shouldn't assume the same seats, baggage or lounge access.

For LATAM fares, Premium Business and South American connections, see our LATAM Airlines flights guide.

LATAM and Delta work together closely on flights between North and South America, including codeshare flights where a LATAM-operated flight carries a Delta (DL) flight number. That partnership doesn't make a LATAM flight a Delta-operated flight.

• Delta SkyMiles can be earned on eligible LATAM flights. Earning depends on the operating airline, the DL or LA flight number, the booking class and who issued the ticket.
• Medallion status can bring benefits on LATAM, but seating, extra baggage, priority services and lounge eligibility need checking separately, including for companions.
• Delta status isn't a promise of a complimentary Business upgrade on LATAM.

Add your SkyMiles number to the booking, check that LATAM recognises it, and keep your ticket and boarding passes until the miles have posted.

LATAM is still a Qantas partner, even though it has left oneworld. Qantas flies Sydney to Santiago, and Qantas codeshare flights operated by LATAM connect Melbourne to Santiago, with onward connections across South America.

Qantas Points can also be used for Classic Flight Rewards on eligible LATAM flights with a LATAM (LA) flight number. Add your Qantas Frequent Flyer number when booking; Qantas says points are usually added within 15 days of the flight.

A frequent-flyer number alone doesn't get you into a lounge. Access depends on your membership tier or lounge membership, the cabin, the flight number, the departure airport and the guest rules.

Qantas lists partner or LATAM lounges in Melbourne, Auckland, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Bogotá, Miami, São Paulo and Lima. It says Qantas Club access to the LATAM lounge in Santiago is limited to Qantas codeshare flights departing to Auckland, Melbourne or Sydney.

Whether bags are checked through depends on the ticket arrangement, airline agreements and customs requirements, not simply alliance membership. At check-in, confirm where your bags are tagged to rather than assume they'll reach the final destination.

Even when bags are tagged through, the first arrival point in South America usually requires you to collect them, clear customs and recheck them before a domestic flight. The LATAM baggage allowance guide explains how this works.

For a LATAM-operated flight, you'll generally check in with LATAM even if the ticket shows a QF or DL flight number. Ask the seller for LATAM's booking reference, because a Qantas, Delta or agency reference may be different. The LATAM check-in guide covers the details.

Is LATAM a Qantas partner? Can I earn points or use the lounge?

Yes, LATAM is still a Qantas partner. You can earn Qantas Points on eligible LATAM flights, but we'd check the flight number and booking class. Status Credits are different: under the current partnership, eligible LATAM-operated flights need a QF flight number to earn them.

Lounge access needs a separate check. Having a Qantas Frequent Flyer number doesn't automatically get you into a lounge. We check your membership tier or Qantas Club membership, cabin, QF versus LA flight number, departure airport and guest rules. Before booking, we explain what your particular ticket qualifies for and add your frequent-flyer number. We wouldn't promise the same benefits on every leg.

What's the most common misunderstanding about LATAM's partners?

'They used to be oneworld, so my benefits must still apply.' They don't carry over automatically. Qantas still has a separate partnership with LATAM, but that doesn't mean someone with American Airlines status gets the same benefits.

Through-checked bags are a separate question again. They depend on the ticket arrangement, airline agreements and customs requirements. Before payment, we explain what's confirmed for each flight and what isn't included.

• Operating airline and flight number (LA, QF or DL) confirmed for every flight
• Frequent-flyer number added and earning eligibility checked for the booking class
• Status benefits checked for seats, baggage and priority services, including companions
• Lounge eligibility checked for each departure
• LATAM booking reference obtained for check-in
• Where bags must be collected and rechecked confirmed