Originally Posted by NOLAnwGOLD

Not sure of all the specifics, but the associate airlines are smaller, regional carriers. They drop their own frequent flier program and use their sponsoring full alliance airline partner's program. Like COPA's program is Continentals, Kenya's is FLying Blue, etc. There is probably a much lower start up costs for them, also less voting power in the alliance as well.

THe sponsoring program benefits since the smaller airline buys miles from their program as well as having more redemption options, etc...