Star Alliance launches upgrade awards

Star Alliance has become the first alliance to offer Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP) upgrade redemption option across the alliance, rather than on individual carrier basis. This brings travelling in either First or Business Class into easier reach of the customer.

This enhancement is now available to the FFP members of All Nippon Airways (ANA Mileage Club), Austrian (Miles & More), LOT Polish Airlines (Miles & More), Lufthansa (Miles & More) and Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer). The other Star Alliance carriers including Scandinavian Airlines will begin to offer this product during 2006.

Star Alliance Upgrade Awards permits customers to redeem miles or points from their FFP account to upgrade by one class, either from Economy Class to Business Class or from Business Class to First Class, on scheduled flights operated by participating member carriers.

Star Alliance Upgrade Awards requires a confirmed booking prior to travel through the existing FFP redemptions channels, in general either a call centre or a website (depending on carrier’s offer). The upgrade is processed electronically through the computer reservations system, eliminating the need to issue paper certificates to the customers. Both conventional paper tickets as well as electronic tickets can be upgraded under this new scheme. As with most FFP redemption products, capacity restrictions apply and upgrades from certain types of fares are not permissible.

Star Alliance was established in 1997. The members are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways International, United, US Airways and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. South African Airways and SWISS will bi integrated during the course of the next 12 months. Overall, the member carriers offer more than 15,000 daily flights to 795 destinations in 139 countries

SAS Group Corporate Communications