Advice needed: Which Star Program to join?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1k, SPG/Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,021
Advice needed: Which Star Program to join?
Hi all - I'd like some advice on which star program to join.
I'm currently Alaska MVP Gold (can be comped to Mid Level on UA, others I'm not sure of).
I have just purchased a star lite economy RTW ex Australia flying SYD-LAX (NZ) LAX-SFO-LHR (UA) LHR-VIE-KTM (AUSTRIAN) KTM-BKK (TG) BKK-SIN-MEL (SIN)
I may fly another similar trip during the year giving me about 50K flight miles on Star airlines.
1. I would like a program that will comp my AS Status.
2. I want to get status bonus miles on all my Star flights (not just on UA flights with the Mileage Plus Program)
3. I need for the 50K to maintain *G status.
4. I'd like to use rewards for US-Australia travel (where UA offers a generously low 60K award compared to AC 75K Award).
5. Some change of international upgrades would be nice.
Any advice - I have seen somewhere (but can't confirm on their site) that Air Canada gives you status bonus and threshold miles on all Star flights. Will they comp my Alaska MVP and are they a good choice?
What about Lufthansa or Air NZ (I already have a few AirNZ points hanging around).
(I was previously AN Plat....alas....)
Thanks
[This message has been edited by aussieinsf (edited 12-04-2001).]
I'm currently Alaska MVP Gold (can be comped to Mid Level on UA, others I'm not sure of).
I have just purchased a star lite economy RTW ex Australia flying SYD-LAX (NZ) LAX-SFO-LHR (UA) LHR-VIE-KTM (AUSTRIAN) KTM-BKK (TG) BKK-SIN-MEL (SIN)
I may fly another similar trip during the year giving me about 50K flight miles on Star airlines.
1. I would like a program that will comp my AS Status.
2. I want to get status bonus miles on all my Star flights (not just on UA flights with the Mileage Plus Program)
3. I need for the 50K to maintain *G status.
4. I'd like to use rewards for US-Australia travel (where UA offers a generously low 60K award compared to AC 75K Award).
5. Some change of international upgrades would be nice.
Any advice - I have seen somewhere (but can't confirm on their site) that Air Canada gives you status bonus and threshold miles on all Star flights. Will they comp my Alaska MVP and are they a good choice?
What about Lufthansa or Air NZ (I already have a few AirNZ points hanging around).
(I was previously AN Plat....alas....)
Thanks
[This message has been edited by aussieinsf (edited 12-04-2001).]
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, SPG; IC Pl/A; AA; DL
Posts: 14,329
1. I would like a program that will comp my AS Status.
-- you'll have to shop around to see who will. UA should, AC might, LH will not.
2. I want to get status bonus miles on all my Star flights (not just on UA flights with the Mileage Plus Program)
- AC or LH will allow that, so will NZ
3. I need for the 50K to maintain *G status.
only 35K with AC PLUS it gives you access to all Red Carpet Clubs in US. *G on UA will NOT give RCC access-you have to pay.
4. I'd like to use rewards for US-Australia travel (where UA offers a generously low 60K award compared to AC 75K Award).
- don't let that fool you. With double bonus miles on all Star Carriers with AC you can earn more miles so requiring more miles is not that big a deal(well sort of double--they use a threshold bonus scheme that benefits more the people earning close to 100k miles per year; at 50K you only get 15k bonus miles).
5. Some change of international upgrades would be nice.
- if you get to SuperElite on AC, you will get a nice set of 8 upgrades that can be used internationally on typical fares, but not seat sale or websaver.
Any advice - I have seen somewhere (but can't confirm on their site) that Air Canada gives you status bonus and threshold miles on all Star flights.
- it's true
Check out the comparison chart:
------------------
BlondeBomber's Star Alliance Gold Comparison Chart 2001
Dorian's Star Alliance RTW Price Chart
-- you'll have to shop around to see who will. UA should, AC might, LH will not.
2. I want to get status bonus miles on all my Star flights (not just on UA flights with the Mileage Plus Program)
- AC or LH will allow that, so will NZ
3. I need for the 50K to maintain *G status.
only 35K with AC PLUS it gives you access to all Red Carpet Clubs in US. *G on UA will NOT give RCC access-you have to pay.
4. I'd like to use rewards for US-Australia travel (where UA offers a generously low 60K award compared to AC 75K Award).
- don't let that fool you. With double bonus miles on all Star Carriers with AC you can earn more miles so requiring more miles is not that big a deal(well sort of double--they use a threshold bonus scheme that benefits more the people earning close to 100k miles per year; at 50K you only get 15k bonus miles).
5. Some change of international upgrades would be nice.
- if you get to SuperElite on AC, you will get a nice set of 8 upgrades that can be used internationally on typical fares, but not seat sale or websaver.
Any advice - I have seen somewhere (but can't confirm on their site) that Air Canada gives you status bonus and threshold miles on all Star flights.
- it's true
Check out the comparison chart:
------------------
BlondeBomber's Star Alliance Gold Comparison Chart 2001
Dorian's Star Alliance RTW Price Chart
#4
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,683
I agree LH is not an option for you, they strongly favour flyers that pay C/F fares. I would go with AC or UA.
#5
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Shanghai
Programs: CX Diamond, HH Diamond, A-Club Gold, Hyatt Platinum, Shangri-la Jade, Intercon Gold Ambassador
Posts: 1,370
It would be slightly wierd if AC does comp AC Elite from MVP Gold this year, this year as part of the Roots fiasco, AC Elite members were offered a no-strings-attached comp to MVP Gold.
I guess AC might ask for statements to prove you actually flew on Alaska
I guess AC might ask for statements to prove you actually flew on Alaska
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1k, SPG/Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,021
Thanks for all the great advice - it is looking like I will try AC (I have got 6 AS segments during the year but most miles on SFO-NYC flights) so I am a genuine qualifyer.
What number should I call to ask about comping?
What number should I call to ask about comping?
#7
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,778
Thanks for this invaluable discussion, BlondeBomber especially. I'm also now interested in the AC program. I would look to comp from United 1P - what are the odds on that? And how to contact AC - phone, mail, ??
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, SPG; IC Pl/A; AA; DL
Posts: 14,329
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum5/HTML/004116.html
for comping from UA. Doesn't look promising but you might email some of the participants to see if they had success.
It all depends on your travel patterns. If you plan on doing a lot more flying in Canada, and can show that increase on some statements, AC might be more willing to comp. Frankly it is pretty easy to get to Elite anyway, only 35K miles or 60 segments.
for comping from UA. Doesn't look promising but you might email some of the participants to see if they had success.
It all depends on your travel patterns. If you plan on doing a lot more flying in Canada, and can show that increase on some statements, AC might be more willing to comp. Frankly it is pretty easy to get to Elite anyway, only 35K miles or 60 segments.