Star Alliance - Star Alliance Basics

Maybe I missed it but I was trying to find a thread to get some info. Sorry if I did just point me in the right direction and we can delete this one.

I flat out don't understand the program and how the FF programs work together. I travel only in the US, usually using US Air. So does this all mean that if I happen to fly CO that I can get the miles or segments credited to US Air?

I have only been traveling for a few months and am killing myself trying to get to preferred status. I have 20 segments in the past 2 months.

I've read everything on the Star Alliance site but I'm not getting how this all works together.

Sorry for sounding stupid, can some of you experts help clear it all up.
thanks

You earn miles (both redeemable and status) flying any star alliance flight (as long as fare is mileage earning) and can redeem awards on any star alliance flight (subject to availability).

This thread has a huge amount of information:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-alliance/325688-useful-reference-links.html

Kiwiflyer has already given some useful info.

Yes, you can fly CO and earn miles on US. Just give your US Air dividends miles to the CO gate agent or ticket agent before you fly. Soon, you will be able to input your USAir number when you are making the reservation on CO.
However, again, as Kiwiflyer pointed out, you can earn miles only on fares that allow one to earn miles.

Maybe I missed it but I was trying to find a thread to get some info. Sorry if I did just point me in the right direction and we can delete this one.

I flat out don't understand the program and how the FF programs work together. I travel only in the US, usually using US Air. So does this all mean that if I happen to fly CO that I can get the miles or segments credited to US Air?

I have only been traveling for a few months and am killing myself trying to get to preferred status. I have 20 segments in the past 2 months.

I've read everything on the Star Alliance site but I'm not getting how this all works together.

Sorry for sounding stupid, can some of you experts help clear it all up.
thanks

Even if CO is a member of the Star Alliance come October 27, US Air can restrict the type of fares to earn redeemable miles, elite qualifying miles and elite qualifying segments. THat being said, check with US Air these fare types before buying them.

For the rest of your question on getting a preferred status, the best place to post this will be on the US Air Forum. Check the stickies there too.

Do you have to "join" star alliance or does it just happen?
Once I hit Silver with US air does that also make me get "preferred" status with the others?

So how do you experts do this....I am currently flying from PHL to BOS so I don't get many miles and just count on the segments to get me up to the preferred status. I currently have 20 segments so 10 more to get silver but with the current US promotion I should hit Gold by the end of the year.
Once I hit status on US air should I start using my CO FF and then work to get status with them?

Blueslip
I have to book via a corp travel site so how do would I know if the fares are redeemable or would this really only be if I book using some type of promo?

Blueslip
I have to book via a corp travel site so how do would I know if the fares are redeemable or would this really only be if I book using some type of promo?

You need to find out which fare class you book. Fare class doesn't just mean, first, business or economy, it means the much more detailed fares classes like M, Y, H etc.

Maybe you can call the airline to find out which fare you have booked. Then you have a looked at the Star Alliance Accrual Chart for US Dividend Miles:

http://www.usairways.com/common/resources/_downloads/dividendmiles/staraccrualchart.pdf

This chart is only good when you are a US member. So while a certain fare class might give you 100% miles as a US member, it might only give 50% for me as a LH member.

But this is the way to figure out how much miles you will get when you fly other Star Alliance airlines. By the way, if you want to find out what the distance is between certain airport, then the Great Circle Mapper (http://gc.kls2.com/)is a great tool.

Do you have to "join" star alliance or does it just happen?
... I should hit Gold by the end of the year.
Once I hit status on US air should I start using my CO FF and then work to get status with them?
You don't join Star Alliance. The AIRLINE joins Star - and US has already done that. When you reach Gold on US, you will be a Star Gold.

Silver status really means little. You need * Gold before you start realizing much benefit. Stay with one program at least until you reach Gold status.

question i just got continental gold card in the mail today.

will i be able to get on standby upgrades on United and US air?

*Gold (LH, M&M) did not give me any upgrade opptys for CO inside US. Said I wasn´t eligible. Prbly on miles if I went through M&M, but not the easy stand-by-way for upping.