Well -- time to start all over again. We know a few things about Air Canada's top tiers but not much more. Please update me on any changes to the following chart as your packages come in.

Thanks and Happy New Year:

Just click on the link. I have posted the 2002 Star Alliance Gold comparison chart at: http://members.shaw.ca/deercroft/starall02.html

For those who want the word processor version of the star alliance comparison chart, click on the link (Word 97-50K) at the page the link below takes you to and your word processor should open and then you can use your "Save As" to save it to one of your directories. Alternately you can right click on the link and it should ask you where you want to save the file to.

http://members.shaw.ca/deercroft/download.html



[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 01-01-2002).]

I recently learned that the requirement for SAS EuroBonus Gold for a US resident is 90,000 points. According to posts in the SAS forum (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum42/HTML/000396.html) Danish residents need 60,000 points, and Norwegian 100,000. Sweden is still 100,000 as in your table. Don't know about other countries of residence.

Just bringing forward so people aren't confused by 2001 chart.

Thanks, Cliff

BlondeBomber,

Some changes from United:

A) 6 1K Systemwides now have some significant restrictions, mainly low fare purchases via the internet (and I'm not just talking E-Fares which were always unupgradeable). RTWs, Seniors and some others types are no longer upgradeable. See new cert at:

ftp://members.aol.com/premex/uploads/united/1k02swu.jpg

B) "Reward comparability (compared to UA saver)" row: No longer any blackout dates on any class of Saver or Standard Awards.

C) Special 1K inventory of free Economy Saver award seats (NY) for United 1Ks only, but still subject to Capacity Control and prior sale.


[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 06-26-2002).]

Thanks PremEx!

Varig currently allows only upgrades from some fares, non-discounted... a la United ! With a minus: They don't issue any SWU-type-certificates which makes some fares absolutely impossible to be upgraded (unless you've "old" miles)

Luckily I still have a bunch of those "old" miles... but when they're done... that's it !

pb: could you please clarify:

domestic -- you do get the following upgrades: 2 @25K Q, 4 @50K Q & 6 @100K Q
but they are only good for which fare classes?

this is no longer true?--international -- upgrades from all fares; purchasing from 5000 miles; confirmable at time of reservation

Which fares are upgradeable; you can only purchase with old miles?

Domestic Upgrades :
RG keeps offering Domestic Upgrade Certificates, stand-by at the airport; When you reach 25.000 miles - Smiles Silver - you receive 2 Domestic Certificates valid on any fare; So 2 @25K Q, 4 @50K Q & 6 @100K Q - They are not transferable and valid for 6 months. (Mines went unused ! )

International Upgrades :
Confirmable at time of reservation.
Miles accrued after Jan.1.2001 :
Upgrades allowed only from Economy (Y or B) and Business (C) fares. Upgrades from any other fare are not allowed.
Miles accrued before Jan.1.2001 :
Upgrades allowed from Economy: Y, M, B, H fares.
As a side note some RG FF I know are absolutely disgusted with this rule RG has imposed.

100K Customers get a guaranteed seat on 100% fully booked flights, on ANY class. Thus, Varig may find a seat for you... in FIRST ! It's not a nice perk, anymore.

As you may notice I just don't find Varig's program THAT nice when compared to others.

BlondeBomber, feel free to ask whatever additional questions I have not been clear enough.

Thanks pb9997.

pb9997,

I must agree with you and share my frustration with RG..I'm a silver member and on a recent trip to Brazil...sure enough it was impossible to get upgrade. Anyway, apart from that..what VARIG is doing is, on my opinion, dowright "criminal". The flights out of JFK (actually that single-miserable-always overbooked-often delayed daily 7:30pm flt...) have never been so full and the service is mediocre...anyway..I guess I should turn over to the Varig forum to continue..

tks

Postponer, I've answered your RG question in the RG forum.

Two updates on mileage accrual:

Flying AC crediting miles to SK: "Effective from January 1st, 2002, you earn Economy class points on discounted Business class fares."

Flying LH crediting miles to UA: "Effective June 1, 2002, you'll earn 100% of your actual flight miles for intercontinental travel in Economy Class, 125% in Business Class or 150% in First Class."

Thanks Hagbard!

------------------
BlondeBomber's Star Alliance Gold Comparison Chart 2002
Dorian's Star Alliance RTW Price Chart

One (irrelevant) update on �other bonuses� for M&M: overdraw 160K miles (instead of 150 K miles).

One question to reward comparability (great Chart!): What was the assumption, that M&M awards are 30% more expensive than MP?