Royal Jordanian Royal Club Makes Status Easier To Earn — Why U.S. Flyers Should Care

If you’re looking for elite status with a Oneworld airline, Royal Jordanian just made some interesting changes. Previously, you had to fly a minimum number of flights on Royal Jordanian itself to earn status in its Royal Club program, but that’s now gone.

Royal Club now deserves your attention as a way to earn Oneworld elite status easier and cheaper than what you might find with U.S.-based airlines, and this status will also give you access to lounges on flights within the U.S..

Here’s a closer look.

How To Earn Royal Jordanian Royal Club Elite Status

Previously, earning elite status in Royal Club required flying a minimum number of flights with Royal Jordanian itself. However, that requirement is now gone. The airline’s customer service representatives have confirmed that you can earn all the way up to Platinum Hawk (the top tier) by crediting partner flights to your Royal Club account.

To earn Royal Club elite status, you need to earn either miles or segments over the qualification period, and then you need to meet the requirements to maintain your status, as shown below:

As you’ll notice, you get 24 months to meet the requirements for maintaining top-tier Platinum Hawk status. All tiers can be earned or maintained through either miles (distance) or segments (number of flights) credited to your account.

In terms of Oneworld elite status, Silver Jay equates to Oneworld Ruby, Gold Sparrow provides Oneworld Sapphire, and Platinum Hawk yields Oneworld Emerald.

Is It Worth It?

Should you chase elite status with an airline you rarely, if ever, fly? It depends. Does that airline’s elite status program give you the perks you want through an easier path than the airline you typically fly?

Consider earning AAdvantage elite status with American Airlines. You’ll get complimentary upgrades when available, elite boarding and check-in benefits, and complimentary checked luggage.

However, you won’t get complimentary access to Admirals Club lounges on domestic flights within the U.S. AAdvantage members only get access to these lounges on international flights or if they have an Admirals Club membership.

Interestingly, you would get Admirals Club lounge access on short flights in the U.S. if you have Emerald or Sapphire status in Oneworld from a foreign airline, such as Royal Jordanian. That could change your opinion.

You can sometimes find short flights on Alaska Airlines or American Airlines for under $50. Would you want to take a bunch of those to pad your number of segments, helping you earn Royal Club status? Different people will have different opinions on this.

Once you qualify for Platinum Hawk, you have 24 months (2 years) to requalify for status, meaning you could enjoy its benefits for 24 months while working to earn the status again.

Final Thoughts

Royal Jordanian made a small adjustment to its Royal Club elite status, eliminating the requirement to fly a certain number of segments on Royal Jordanian-operated flights. If you want access to AA or Alaska lounges when flying in the U.S., this could be an interesting path.