Guide to the Star Alliance Global Airline Network

If you often fly within the US and internationally, joining the Star Alliance could be worthwhile. You will earn miles on member airlines’ flights and you can redeem your miles for flights or cabin upgrades on the same airlines.

What is Star Alliance?

Star Alliance is the world’s largest airline association with the highest number of member airlines, destinations and daily flights. The alliance was established in 1997 by five founding airlines from three continents. It has since grown to 28 Star Alliance members that fly between more than 190 countries.

Star Alliance Member Airlines

Airlines that are part of the Star Alliance include the following:

How does the Star Alliance work?

If you’re a member of an airline rewards program within the Star Alliance, you can redeem points when flying with 28 member airlines. For example, if you are a member of United Airlines reward program and you travel with Lufthansa, you can still earn United miles for that flight.

Our pick for a Star Alliance airline credit card

United℠ Explorer Card

• $0 first-year intro annual fee, then $95.
• Signup bonus: 40,000 miles after you make $2,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, earn an additional 25,000 miles after spending $10,000 in the first 6 months.
• 2x miles on United purchases, hotel stays and restaurant purchases.
• Credit every four years for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
• 25% back as statement credit on United inflight purchases. Plus, priority boarding and your first checked bag free on United-operated flights.
• 2 United Club one-time passes each card anniversary.

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What are the Star Alliance status levels and benefits?

If you travel often and own a cobranded credit card of a Star Alliance member airline, you can get one of the two membership levels: Gold or Silver.

Both tiers come with specific perks and benefits, including:

Airport Lounge Access

Enjoy access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide with the following access policies:

• International First Class
  Access all Star Alliance member airline International First Class lounges by simply showing your boarding pass in International First Class on a Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport. You can also bring one guest with you to relax in style.
• International Business Class
  Access any Star Alliance member airline Business Class lounge. No guest passes are available for this class.

What are the benefits of flying with Star Alliance member airlines?

An alliance of 28 airlines means you get unparalleled access to airport lounges and have the ability to earn and redeem points with any of its partner airlines.

• Ability to earn and redeem points across airlines
  This is a significant benefit to regular international travelers. You can earn points or miles for the flights you book on any Star Alliance member airlines. The points on your frequent flyer account can also be redeemed on any of the partner airlines.
• Airport lounge access
  Long waits at the airport used to be uncomfortable. By becoming a frequent flyer on a Star Alliance partner, you get access to airport lounges all over the world.

  This feature is available for Gold Status members who fly on any class category, though there are some exceptions for United Airlines domestic flights. Silver members can also access the airport lounges when flying first or business class.

Star Alliance offers a number of special fare types. They’re designed for those doing a fair bit of flying, and offer discounts and a personalized itinerary.

• Round the World Fare
  Star Alliance lets you plan an unforgettable adventure with the Round the World Fare. This fare allows you to fly to more than 190 countries on any of the 28 participating airlines.

  It’s a multi-destination fare that can take you anywhere from United States to the Middle East to Australia.

• Circle Pacific Fare
  Visit exciting destinations in 25 countries with one ticket when you take advantage of the Circle Pacific Fare.

  There are two fare mileage levels available under this category. Simply pick the one that fits your needs.

  You can use it to visit places in North America, South West Pacific and Asia as long as it’s within the mileage of your chosen level.

Star Alliance benefits for businesses

• Conventions Plus.
  Obtain discounts for your delegates traveling to international conferences with the Conventions Plus package. If you’re organizing the conference, you’ll only have one point of contact for all of your organization needs. Delegates can also get discounted flights to the conference using the supplied Conventions Code.
• Meetings Plus.
  Businesses that have international meetings with more than 50 participants can get the Meetings Plus package for group discounts. Meeting organizers also have the benefit of only having to deal with a single point of contact.
• Corporate Plus.
  Large companies that require employees to travel regularly can take advantage of the Corporate Plus package.
• Company Plus.
  You’ll have one Star Alliance contact who will organize all of your trips for you and work to secure your discounts.

What are the differences between Oneworld and Star Alliance?

Star Alliance, SkyTeam and Oneworld are the three largest airline alliances. The services they offer to passengers are fairly similar. The main selling point of Star Alliance is that it has the largest coalition of airlines, which flies to over 190 countries. In contrast, Oneworld flies to 160 countries.

Some of the member airlines on Oneworld include Air Berlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Qantas Airways.

Compare airline credit cards

If your favorite airline is not a Star Alliance member, feel free to compare other airline cards until you find the one with most value for your wallet.

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Name	Product	Welcome offer	Rewards	Annual fee	Filter values
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card		60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months	5x points on Lyft, 2x points on travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases	$95		Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express		30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, plus $50 when you make a Delta purchase in the same timeframe	2x miles on Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)		Earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, plus $50 when you make a direct Delta purchase in the same timeframe. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
CardMatch™ from creditcards.com		See terms	See terms	See terms		Can't decide on a card? Get personalized credit card offers with CardMatch™.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
United℠ Explorer Card		40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months plus 25,000 miles after spending $10,000 in the first 6 months	2x miles at restaurants, hotels and United and 1x miles on all other purchases	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)		40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening plus 25,000 miles after spending $10,000 in the first 6 months.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card		40,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, earn 35,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months.	2x points on Southwest and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rentals and 1x points on all other purchases	$149		Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, earn 35,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 6 months your account is open.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
British Airways Visa Signature® Card		50,000 Avios after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 50,000 Avios after spending $20,000 in the first year	3x Avios on British Airways, 2x on hotels and 1x on all other purchases	$95		50,000 Avios after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months, plus 50,000 Avios after spending $20,000 in the first year	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Bottom line

Frequent international travelers can benefit from being part of an airline within Star Alliance’s rewards program. Additional travel benefits and the ability to redeem with a number of partner airlines makes it a hub of potential savings for serious globetrotters.

But if you’re not sure whether a Star Alliance member airline could offer you the best card for your needs, compare other airline credit cards.

Frequently asked questions

• How can I get a Star Alliance credit card?

  In the US you can get a cobranded United Airlines credit card, which will act as your Star Alliance credit card.

• Do I earn miles through all Star Alliance member airlines?

  Yes. Once you’re part of an airline reward program offered by a Star Alliance member airline, you can earn miles no matter which member airline you use.

• Can I combine miles from different airline programs?

  No. You can’t combine miles between two or more Star Alliance airline frequent flyer programs.

• What do I have to do to redeem miles on Star Alliance flights?

  If you want to redeem your miles for a flight onboard a member airline, get in touch with your airline reward program service.

• Is there a way I can find out about lounge locations at different airports?

  Yes. You can use the Lounge finder tool provided by Star Alliance. And you can find airports maps using Star Alliance airport information pages.