Members of Star Alliance carrier loyalty schemes can now use their miles to upgrade when travelling on flights with Air Canada, TAM and US Airways.
The Star Alliance Upgrade Awards programme has been established for some time, and has gradually added member carriers to the scheme. The latest additions mean that 19 Star Alliance members now offer the product, including all five members based in the Americas.
The service enables cardholders to use their miles to request one-class upgrades prior to travel, either by calling reservations or logging on to the relevant airline’s website (depending on what is offered by the carrier). The full list of Star Alliance carriers now offering the service is as follows:
- Air China (PhoenixMiles)
- Air Canada (Aeroplan)
- Air New Zealand (Airpoints)
- ANA (ANA Mileage Club)
- Asiana Airlines (Asiana Club)
- Austrian (Miles & More)
- Brussels Airlines (Miles & More)
- Continental (OnePass)
- LOT Polish Airlines (Miles & More)
- Lufthansa (Miles & More)
- SAS (EuroBonus)
- Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer)
- SWISS (Miles & More)
- TAM (Fidelidade)
- TAP Portugal (Victoria)
- THAI (Royal Orchid Plus)
- Turkish Airlines (Miles & Smiles)
- United (Mileage Plus)
- US Airways (Dividend Miles)
Commenting on the scheme Christopher Korenke, vice president commercial, Star Alliance, said:
“Our frequent flyers have always told us that upgrading using miles across the entire alliance is one of the highest sought after benefits. Hence, by now offering Star Alliance Upgrade Awards across all flights in the Americas we further increased the attractiveness of our Alliance product.”
“We are working on getting the remaining Star Alliance member carriers into the product as soon as possible.”
For more information visit staralliance.com.
Report by Mark Caswell