Take a look at this...
 

Good evening everyone,

I was just reading the UA talkboards, (have been away travelling http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif), and I came across this from Empress:

"There will be some enhanced benefits for UK based Star Alliance members starting on Feb 1.
My details came from Air Canada Aeroplan but it appears that it's good for most Star Alliance airlines.

Benefits include Star Alliance upgrade certs (Various numbers depending on what your status is and it's good on a standby basis. Not valid on a few Star airlines and flights. Personalized and non transferrable.) and 25% bonus for all Star flights. This is valid until Feb 2005.

What I posted in the AC forum:

UK Aeroplan® customers get enhanced benefits. Star Alliance Gold and Silver customers who live in the UK, including Aeroplan Super Elite, Elite and Prestige members, are getting an after-Christmas present in the form of enhanced benefits. Starting Feb. 1, they will receive Star Alliance “worldwide” upgrade and lounge certificates, access to priority check-in within the UK and will receive 25 per cent bonus miles on all Star flights. As well, to attract new business, Gold- and Silver-equivalent members of other airlines will have a chance to become Gold or Silver within Star as their tier status will be matched. A “Member-Get-Member” program that offers rewards to both existing and new customers will also be in place.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum5/HTML/012688.html

Perhaps someone might want call UA to double check that they are participating (if you can find someone that knows about this!)."

I feel certain that I am not alone in being somewhat puzzled by the silence on the DC end. While I am aware of the member-get-member offer, I would like to know more about the whole 'worldwide upgrade' scene (i.e. are they equivalent to a 'sweet spot'), also are these 25% extra on top of the mileage bonus already earned by *G/*S?

Before you all pile on me for not attempting to find out more myself, I did visit the *alliance and bmi websites, and saw nothing mentioned.

Any thoughts anyone?

Safe travels http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif



[This message has been edited by onlyflybmi/UA (edited Jan 28, 2004).]

Wow! So there may be Gold enhancements coming afterall!

I look forward to being enhanced. Or is this strictly for those living on UK soil, I wonder?`

Edited to add this link to the official announcement on the Star Alliance Website.

[This message has been edited by GoldCircle (edited Jan 29, 2004).]

May need to buy a routepass from another address to get a second *S account for additional upgrade certs...

and make sure that Mrs Bloke requalifies for her *S...

Looking at the AC discussion this look promising...

edited to note that I couldn't see the RoutePass stuff on the BMI site but the fare is still quoted on Travelocity...

[This message has been edited by Tall Bloke (edited Jan 29, 2004).]

Thankyou GoldCircle! Great find http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Any thoughts as to why now? Are the *alliance carriers coming under pressure from a particular direction, or this a presumptive strike in lieu of the upcoming AirFrance/KLM merger?

Safe Travels.

Any chance of Oneworld following suit...

Can't see BA following this (at least not in full). Maybe upgrades for Gold BAEC members might be on the cards, but I can't believe they'll change the habit of a lifetime and start comping people (unless, that is, they notice a significant shift to the opposition. In order for that to happen on short haul, BD needs to get its business flights ex-LHR back to decent frequencies and destinations outside the UK).

Better still...

Can I get my AA status matched into
UA and AC and LH and .....

Giving me plenty of upgrade vouchers, may be time to change that address on my AA acount !

I can even refer myself (namesake)or would that be saling to close to the wind !

Now that's working the system http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif


[This message has been edited by onlyflybmi/UA (edited Jan 29, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by onlyflybmi/UA (edited Jan 29, 2004).]

I suspect that all applications will have to go through a single source (note that they have set up a special website just for this - www.ukstatus.co.uk ). This should kill all but the most creative multiple applications stone dead.

So , do we think that multiple *G/*S accounts mean multiple upgrade vouchers :

i.e if I'm BMI *G and LH *S do I get 2 x upgrade certs ?

I live in hope....... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Great news http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Any idea of how the "standby upgrade certificates" will work?

Just got home and Mrs Bloke had already received her letter from Star Alliance (she's a star silver (BD))

In summary
2 complimentary worldwide airport standby upgrade certificates to use on any star alliance operated flight valid til 28/2/05

25% miles bonus (bmi silver already get this)

Priority check in at busniness desks in the UK when on Star Flights

2 lounge passes for use when flying on any star alliance flight

referral cards to give to friends

Loads of t&c booking classes and some exclusions.

Upgrades are void if sold or bartered and have names and membership numbers printed on them.

I assume most people will get their packs in the next day or so so I'll save on typing them out here.

No sign of the Gold details for me yet

Edited to add upgrade details....

Upgrade not valid on SQ or MX (no mention of US)

Upgrade is from Economy Y,M,B,H to Business
- also from S on SK
- not H on TG
- To New Economy on BD
- For AC within Canada and US on Y,M,U,A,only

Upgrade fron Business C,D to first
- BD U,L to the business

One coupon for each segment except NZ1, NZ2, between London and Auckland and TG911/910 and 917/916 which need two coupons

Not valid on ANA domestic flights

No extra baggage / prioirty check in etc

The vouchers are named and numbered with *number and are void if sold or bartered. Valid only for holder and companions on the same flight where one voucher is required for each

Miles based on fare paid

Valid 1st Feb 2004 to 28th Feb 2005



[This message has been edited by Tall Bloke (edited Jan 29, 2004).]

Well thats great! I'm currently planning a RTW, and why do bmi have to be the only airline not do offer Economy RTW tickets in Y,M,B or H... unless Q is included for upgrades on bmi? Or do/could I use a codeshare instead?

Yessssssss!
Awesome! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

(Actually...hold on a moment, why would I fly bmi when I can only upgrade to NE trans-atlantic? Does anyone else here feel that they would use the upgrade to go in business on another * carrier? As technically, someone "cough" could buy a H class fare, and earn 150% MP miles on top of the 100% prem ex bonus, and use the free upgrade! Brutal! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif)

--------------------------------------------
Trogdor strikes again!


[This message has been edited by onlyflybmi/UA (edited Jan 29, 2004).]