I think almost all programs offer this possibility. It's usually only the very top level (e.g. M&M HON) which requires flying with the specific airlines of that frequent flyer program. Whenever somebody is flying Star Alliance, the airline in question has to pay A3 a certain amount of money for the number of miles that are credit to the member's account, so A3 gets income from this. And when you use the gold card, it's the airline that you're flying with which is paying for your benefits, so that doesn't cost A3 anything at all.