Diners to United/*Alliance Upgrade Advice Needed
 

I am hoping someone will be able to make sure I have absorbed some recent changes to Diners Club and Star Alliance correctly.

In the past, I have hoarded Diners Club points in case I ever wanted to upgrade an international route that United does not fly. Diners Club presently has a 30% bonus for DC points transferred to United prior to 12/31/05, as well as announcing no further point transfers to United (as well as some other domestic carriers) sometime in the second quarter of 06.

I have been reading here that the Star Alliance group will soon be offering upgrades throughout the system. I think I know United hasn't announced a date to participate but it should be sometime in 2006, right?

Can I get some advice on whether I am following the news correctly on redemption of Star Alliance airline program miles throughout the system? Are these confirmed (if available) upgrades? Would you transfer 200K DC points (260K during the United promotion) to United or still keep them in the Diner's program?

I appreciate any advice/recommendation you experts have to offer.

Thank you.

The only comment I have to make is in regards to the United miles for Star Alliance upgrade awards. I'm going to assume it works like the current carriers involved are doing it (eg: NH LH OS SQ) and the real catch is that mostly the carriers (SQ NH) only allow the upgrades on full fares (Y/B) - so you have to take serious consideration that little gotcha (even disregarding availability and so on) because that really restricts the numbers of fares you can purchase (and obviously they will cost you more) to upgrade from.

Something to keep in mind when doing a cost/benefit analysis IMHO.

Also watch out for the mileage requirement for upgades. If the current LH upgades on StarAlliance is any guide, the mileage requirement is so high that it is not worthwhile unless you could get the paid tickets for free. :D I mean if someone else paid for your paid tickets. :D