Other North & South America Frequent Flyer Programs - TAM entrance to *A date?

Does anyone know/heard when TAM is scheduled to join *? I am dying to burn some of my Continental miles for flights to Brazil, and right now only GIG and GRU are serviced by either *A or ST.

Also, I have some miles on TAM that I accrued a couple years ago. Do they expire?

Thanks!

TAM points expire 2 years after they are earned. Currently there is a promotion - 6k points for a one-way flight within Brazil (normally 10k)
No definite date for joining, probably next year

Does anyone know/heard when TAM is scheduled to join *?
Thanks!

the last update I saw suggested that they are still on track for April 2010 accession. Since the original press release in October 2008 suggested a likely 12-18 month timeframe this would be at the upper end , but still within , of the original estimate.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/09/24/332730/tams-behind-the-scenes-upgrade.html

Great thanks! April would be nice. I wanted to plan a trip for July, so that should give me some time to do it. I donlt know if it will still be the case once they join *A, but TAM has the most generous point redemption policy I have ever seen.

TAM has the most generous point redemption policy I have ever seen.

Really? I don't think it is so generous.
Also, if you fly business or first they have a terrible "earning policy"

FWIW, the last TAM newsletter mentions integration with *Alliance (the first time I've seen this), and says they will join in 2010, nothing specific.

TAM (biggest and best airline in Latin America) will officially become part of Star Alliance in April 2010.

Currently they are migrating their operation system from Sabre to Amadeus (where most of Star carriers have their system based).

Rgs,

TAM (biggest and best airline in Latin America) will officially become part of Star Alliance in April 2010.

Currently they are migrating their operation system from Sabre to Amadeus (where most of Star carriers have their system based).

Rgs,

Thanks for the info. I spoke with some TAM employees at CGH and CWB and they told me that they will start learning to use Amadeus in November, so April doesn´t sound crazy

Thanks for the info. I spoke with some TAM employees at CGH and CWB and they told me that they will start learning to use Amadeus in November, so April doesn´t sound crazy

I was told the same thing at VIX on Oct 5. I even heard that TAM might be ready to join as early as February. The training on Amedaus will be in SP. Don't know if they will cycle all the check-in agents in for training or do a train the trainer type operation.

TAM has now commenced distributing new numbers for holders of their TAM Fidelidade mileage program mentioning that this is in connection with them joining *A.