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Guide to the Star Alliance Global Airline Network
Maximize your frequent flyer rewards with 28 member airlines.
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:
- Adria Airways
- Aegean Airlines
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Air India
- Air New Zealand
- ANA
- Asiana Airlines
- Austrian Airlines
- Avianca
- Avianca Brasil
- Brussels Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Croatia Airlines
- EGYPTAIR
- Ethiopian Airlines
- EVA Air
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Scandinavian Airlines
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- SWISS
- TAP Portugal
- Thai Airways International
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
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.
Is there a Star Alliance credit card?
No, there isn’t a Star Alliance credit card. But you can get a United Airlines credit card to earn and redeem miles on flights with Star Alliance airlines.
Also, if you frequently fly United Airlines, United Express or any of its select partners, you can earn:
- Premier qualifying miles (PQM).
- Premier qualifying segments (PQS).
- Premier qualifying dollars (PGD).
Once you accumulate enough of all three, you’ll upgrade to a United Premier status, which brings additional perks and benefits on Star Alliance flights.
Our pick for a Star Alliance airline credit card
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:
- Silver
- Priority waitlisting
- Priority airport standby
- Gold
Same benefits as Silver and:
- Airport lounge access.
- Priority check-in
- Priority boarding
- Priority baggage handling
- Priority security and immigration
- Extra baggage allowance
How do I get Star Alliance status levels?
If you have a United Airlines credit card, the Premier status you achieve with your card will automatically apply to your Star Alliance status.
| United Airlines Premier status | Star Alliance status |
|---|---|
| MileagePlus Premier Silver | Star Alliance Silver |
| MileagePlus Premier Gold | Star Alliance Gold |
| MileagePlus Premier Platinum | Star Alliance Gold |
| MileagePlus Premier 1K | Star Alliance Gold |
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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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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.
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