Is there a *A miles challenge?
 

I was just curious if *A offered any mileage runs similar to AA Gold and Platinum runs (5000 and 10000 points in 3 months respectively). If not, then what are the best *A programs to earn extra miles when flying internationally? Thanks.

you can compare and find your best StarAlliance ff-program with the help of BlondeBomber's StarAlliance-comparison sheet http://members.home.net/deercroft/download.html

Rudi is right--it all depends on your flying practices/where you are based/typical fare paid etc which is best for YOU

Thanks Rudi & BlondeBomber!

Maybe my original question was a bit confusing. I was trying to figure out if any of *A airlines had a similar mileage challenge going like AA challenge in 1W (10000 points in 90 days and you're AAPlatinum).

As far as my particular goals are concerned then:
1) I'd like to achieve *Gold with minimal mileage flying several *A airlines (but depositing the miles into one account).
2) Be able to buy upgrades with points on several *A airlines not just on the airline that I am member of.

What are your expert recommendations?
Thanks!


[This message has been edited by Spider (edited 05-18-2000).]

Spider - did you look at BlondeBomber's comparison table yet?

We can't consult without knowing about how many miles in which paid class with which StarAlliance airline you will do (example: UA credits only 50% on TG eco-flights, LH = 100%), and how much N-American-upgrades on future UA-flights are worth for you, etc. etc. etc.

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 05-18-2000).]

No Star Alliance airline with exception of UA/LH allows upgrading on other airlines (and even UA/LH is limited to UA/LH). Many don't even allow purchasing of upgrades on their own planes.

Rudi:
I had another good look at BlondeBomber's comparison table. It's a great piece of work.

As far as mileage is concerned then most of my flights are Aust-Europe and trans-Pacific. Flight class: Lauda - C; TG - J,C; UA, LH, AC, ANZ, ANA and SQ - economy and discount economy. Annual mileage (roughly) 150-200k. Domestic upgrades are not that important to me as flying in internationally usually gives me the same class as the international segment.

BlondeBomber:
A few words from you but they have the value of gold!! Seems like I'll have to join UA and LH programs and then swap between them according to the class flown as Rudi does.

YES

All Nippon used to let you upgrade from economy on Austrian when you buy an All Nippon ticket for codeshares operated by Austrian. But after Austrian officially joined Star, All Nippon discontinued it ....