StarAlliance complimentary upgrades on partner airlines
Aug 10, 2012, 1:13 pm
#1
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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!
Aug 10, 2012, 1:40 pm
#3
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Welcome to Flyertalk. You thread has been moved from the broad MilesBuzz! forum to the more focused Star Alliance forum.
Aug 10, 2012, 2:05 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NCL
Programs: UA 1MM/*G. DL Gold for one more year.
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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.
Aug 10, 2012, 2:25 pm
#5
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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!
Aug 10, 2012, 10:24 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: BKK/SEL/YQG
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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.
Aug 11, 2012, 2:56 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Tasmania, Australia
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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...
Aug 12, 2012, 2:53 am
#10
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However the belief that a UA flyer will get any consideration on other *A airlines is an ignorant one.
Aug 12, 2012, 3:04 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KSU (Kristiansund N, Norway)
Programs: SAS EBD/ *G
Posts: 2,163
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.
Aug 20, 2012, 10:05 pm
#15
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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)