Star Alliance - StarAlliance complimentary upgrades on partner airlines

Hello everyone! I'm a United 1K flyer, and I have an upcoming trip to Asia. I have flights between Tokyo-Bankok on ANA, and within Thailand on Thai Airways. Along with United, both companies are part of StarAlliance. The economy fares I booked are not upgradeable with miles, but will I still be in the running for complimentary upgrades? Thanks!

No. Only op-ups.

Welcome to Flyertalk. You thread has been moved from the broad MilesBuzz! forum to the more focused Star Alliance forum.

No. Only op-ups.

Which, in case you didn't know, means operational upgrades, necessitated by the airline being oversold in economy but not in business, and is therefore much rarer than the complementary upgrades offered in the US domestic market. You should also be aware that, as far as the *A partner airline is concerned, you are Star Alliance Gold - 1K doesn't mean anything further to them. If and when it comes to operational upgrades, some airlines will prioritise all their own elites, down to an including silver, over Star Alliance Gold members - others will not. For what it's worth, I've been upgrades by Thai, but never by ANA. But when it happens, it is a very nice surprise - don't ever expect it.

Hello everyone! I'm a United 1K flyer, and I have an upcoming trip to Asia. I have flights between Tokyo-Bankok on ANA, and within Thailand on Thai Airways. Along with United, both companies are part of StarAlliance. The economy fares I booked are not upgradeable with miles, but will I still be in the running for complimentary upgrades? Thanks!

There are no complimentary upgrades even on UA metal international flights, I am not sure why you think it would happen on star alliance partners instead ? :confused:

What are these "complimentary upgrades" of which you speak? ;)

Of the last 150+ flights I've taken on various Star Alliance airlines as a Star Gold, I have never been op-uped, but I'm either on an award, or a discount economy ticket. I'm sure others have better percentages with higher fare class tickets though.

I have been op-uped several times. But I never got "complimentary upgrade"... Wait, actually, I got it, at Hilton hotels... One of the Gold perks...

I have received "free upgrades" on NH and US, but I have no idea if they were complimentary or op-ups.

There are no complimentary upgrades even on UA metal international flights, I am not sure why you think it would happen on star alliance partners instead ? :confused:

That's not correct. There are CPUs on UA in Asia for all flights except BKK-NRT and SIN-NRT (and v.v.).

However the belief that a UA flyer will get any consideration on other *A airlines is an ignorant one.

The concept of free upgrades as a part of announced frequent flyer perks appears to be limited to North American airlines. The major service perks of the European FF programs are free lounge access irrespective of class flown (i.e. no membership necessary), extra luggage, priority check-in (and on waiting list). At op-ups *G FF get priority. Lufthansa intra-Europe sometimes upgrade *G (2/10 in my own experience). But do not expect an upgrade, or you will be disappointed. Free upgrades is not a *A benefit.

The concept of free upgrades as a part of announced frequent flyer perks appears to be limited to North American airlines.

Note AC doesn't give "free" upgrades either.

Are there *A airlines that are more likely to give op ups to partner elites? For example, Cathay pacific is known for giving op ups to OW Emerald and Sapphires (50k and 100k miles/annually).

How does one get these "complimentary upgrades" with Primary airlines (forget Partners)...

Are there *A airlines that are more likely to give op ups to partner elites?

NO

How does one get these "complimentary upgrades" with Primary airlines (forget Partners)...

Each airline is different, but the common factor is you have to be an elite, and more like top elite within the airline, and flying with the airline you have status with. (codeshare doesn't count, only metal does)

Are there *A airlines that are more likely to give op ups to partner elites? For example, Cathay pacific is known for giving op ups to OW Emerald and Sapphires (50k and 100k miles/annually).

I beg to respectfully disagree with ORDnHKG. I have received several OpUps with SK, and once each with LH, LX, and TG. I have even received complimentary upgrades with OS (I think as a gesture because of a delayed flight) and US (because they didn't know how to process the cash upgrade available at the time for UA FFs).

Anyway, given that the OP has disappeared without trace after his one post, what are we all still doing here?

Each airline is different, but the common factor is you have to be an elite, and more like top elite within the airline, and flying with the airline you have status with. (codeshare doesn't count, only metal does)
LH's official policy is to upgrade based on the booking class (i.e. fares paid) rather than status including their own top elite.

I am a Air Canada Elite member this year and also. Matmid El Al member. fly to Europe most of time from TLV, in economy. Which mileage partner scheme should I be using for most effective use?

I am a Air Canada Elite member this year and also. Matmid El Al member. fly to Europe most of time from TLV, in economy. Which mileage partner scheme should I be using for most effective use?

Welcome to FT!
This thread right at the top of the forum has lots of good information http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-alliance/1144878-need-advice-ff-scheme-join-please-post-here.html
Take a read of it.

I just got upgraded at the counter at Zadar airport on Croatia Airlines, i did not ask for it as I knew it was not an included perk. I only wished it would happen on LH like that :)