The Star Alliance: Everything You Need to Know [Partners Listed]
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Table of Contents
Star Alliance
“The Way the Earth Connects”
Founded: May 14, 1997
Headquarters: Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Website: staralliance.com
Table of contents
The Numbers / Statistics
- Annual Customers: 728 million
- Daily Flights: 18,800+
- Destinations: 1,300+
- Countries: 193
- Combined Fleet: 4,919 aircraft
- Lounges: 1,100+
- Employees: ~423,210
- Annual Revenue: ~ $171 billion
Partners
| Star Alliance Partner Airlines | |||
| Aegean Airlines | Austrian Airlines | EVA Air | Swiss International Air Lines |
| Air Canada | Avianca Vuela | LOT Polish Airlines | TAP Portugal |
| Air China | Brussels Airlines | Lufthansa | Thai Airways |
| Air India | Copa Airlines | Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) | Turkish Airlines |
| Air New Zealand | Croatia Airlines | Shenzhen Airlines | United Airlines |
| All Nippon Airways (ANA) | Egypt Air | Singapore Airlines | |
| Asiana Airlines | Ethiopian Airlines | South African Airways | |
How it Works
Consistent with the other major airline alliances, Star Alliance itself does not host an individual frequent flyer program.
To achieve Star Alliance status, members must first accrue status through their respective partner airline of choice. Once this is achieved, an equivalent Star Alliance tier status is issued (see “Status Equivalents” below).
Miles earned through multiple different airline programs cannot be transferred or combined to reach the designation for Star Alliance status.
That being said, passengers traveling on eligible flights operated by Star Alliance member airlines will accrue miles/points which can be redeemed across the entire Star Alliance network.
Status Levels
Benefits
Essentially, the purpose of Star Alliance status levels is to translate elite status benefits across partner airlines. For example, if you fly on United Airlines and have the equivalent of Star Alliance Gold, you should be able to get perks such as extra baggage when flying on Lufthansa or any other Star Alliance partner.
| Star Alliance Tier | Silver | Gold |
| Priority Reservation Waitlist / Standby | ✓ | ✓ |
| Priority Check-In | ✓ | |
| Priority Boarding (where available) | ✓ | |
| Extra Baggage Allowance | ✓ | |
| Priority Baggage Handling | ✓ | |
| Worldwide Lounge Access | ✓ | |
| Priority Security Lanes (Gold Track – where available) | ✓ | |
| Priority Immigration (Gold Track – where available) | ✓ |
Tier Breakdown
Star Alliance Silver
When your respective tier status is equivalent to Star Alliance Silver, you may take advantage of the following benefits, no matter which Star Alliance airline you are flying or cabin class you’re assigned.
Priority on Waitlists and When on Standby (Where Offered)
- This allows those with status to move ahead of other non-status flyers on reservation lists and standby lists, making it more likely to be granted a seat on the flight in question, except when flying on an award ticket.
Star Alliance Gold
When your respective tier status is equivalent to Star Alliance Gold, you may take advantage of the following benefits, no matter which Star Alliance airline you are flying or cabin class you’re assigned.
Priority on Waitlists and When on Standby (Where Offered)
- This allows those with status to move ahead of other non-status flyers on reservation lists and standby lists, making it more likely to be granted a seat on the flight in question, except when flying on an award ticket.
Access to Priority Check-In Counters
- This can significantly expedite the time spent in line/at the airport ticket counter.
Access to Priority Boarding
- Star Alliance Gold members board along with First and Business Class passengers (where offered).
Extra Baggage Allowance*
- Using the “weight” concept, Star Alliance Gold members are eligible for an additional 44 pounds (20 kg.) baggage weight.
- Using the “piece” concept, Star Alliance Gold members are eligible for 1 extra piece of luggage.
* Exclusions apply, including intra-Europe “Light” fares from Lufthansa, Austrian, and SWISS; “Check&Go” fares from Brussels Airlines, and “Go light” fares from “SAS”. Also, Air New Zealand’s “Seat” fares are ineligible for extra baggage allowance.
Priority Baggage Handling
- This ensures Star Alliance Gold member baggage is among the first on the belt from aircraft to carousel when traveling on any cabin on any eligible Star Alliance flight.
Access to Over 1,100 Airport Lounges (When You Fly on a Member Airline Flight)*
- This includes premium first class, business, and frequent flyer lounges, regardless of service class flown at the time of travel, for you and 1 guest.
Access to Priority Security Lanes (At Select Airports, for Select Carriers)
- Star Alliance Gold Track can significantly decrease security wait times.
- Restrictions and local agreements cause significant variations in the ability to utilize this benefit. More information is available here.
Access to Priority Immigration Lanes (At Select Airports, for Select Carriers)
- Star Alliance Gold Track can significantly decrease immigration/customs wait times.
- Restrictions and local agreements cause significant variations in the ability to utilize this benefit. More information is available here.
Status Equivalents
Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines
- Miles & More Frequent Traveller = Star Alliance Silver
- Miles & More Senator = Star Alliance Gold
- Miles & More HON Circle = Star Alliance Gold
Aegean Airlines
- Miles+Bonus Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- Miles+Bonus Gold = Star Alliance Gold
Air Canada
- Altitude Prestige 25K = Star Alliance Silver
- Altitude Elite 35K = Star Alliance Silver
- Altitude Elite 50K = Star Alliance Gold
- Altitude Elite 75K = Star Alliance Gold
- Altitude Super Elite 100K = Star Alliance Gold
Air China, Shenzhen Airlines
- PhoenixMiles Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- PhoenixMiles Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- PhoenixMiles Platinum = Star Alliance Gold
Air India
- Flying Returns Silver Edge Club = Star Alliance Silver
- Flying Returns Golden Edge Club = Star Alliance Gold
- Flying Returns The Maharajah Club = Star Alliance Gold
Air New Zealand
- Airpoints Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- Airpoints Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- Airpoints Elite = Star Alliance Gold
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
- ANA Mileage Club Bronze = Star Alliance Silver
- ANA Mileage Club Super Flyers = Star Alliance Gold
- ANA Mileage Club Diamond = Star Alliance Gold
- ANA Mileage Club Platinum = Star Alliance Gold
Asiana Airlines
- Asiana Club Gold = Star Alliance Silver
- Asiana Club Diamond = Star Alliance Gold
- Asiana Club Diamond Plus = Star Alliance Gold
- Asiana Club Platinum = Star Alliance Gold
Avianca
- LifeMiles Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- LifeMiles Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- LifeMiles Diamond = Star Alliance Gold
Copa Airlines
- ConnectMiles Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- ConnectMiles Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- ConnectMiles Platinum = Star Alliance Gold
- ConnectMiles Presidential Platinum = Star Alliance Gold
EgyptAir
- EgyptAirPlus Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- EgyptAirPlus Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- EgyptAirPlus Platinum = Star Alliance Gold
Ethiopian Airlines
- ShebaMiles Silver Club = Star Alliance Silver
- ShebaMiles Gold Club = Star Alliance Gold
- ShebaMiles Platinum Club = Star Alliance Gold
EVA Air
- Infinity MileageLands Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- Infinity MileageLands Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- Infinity MileageLands Diamond = Star Alliance Gold
Scandinavian Airlines
- EuroBonus Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- EuroBonus Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- EuroBonus Diamond = Star Alliance Gold
- EuroBonus Pandion = Star Alliance Gold
Singapore Airlines
- KrisFlyer Elite Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- KrisFlyer Elite Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- KrisFlyer PPS Club = Star Alliance Gold
- KrisFlyer Solitaire PPS Club = Star Alliance Gold
- KrisFlyer Solitaire PPS Club Life = Star Alliance Gold
South African Airways
- Voyager Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- Voyager Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- Voyager Platinum = Star Alliance Gold
- Voyager Lifetime Platinum = Star Alliance Gold
TAP Portugal
- Miles&Go Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- Miles&Go Gold = Star Alliance Gold
Thai Airways International
- Royal Orchid Plus Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- Royal Orchid Plus Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- Royal Orchid Plus Platinum = Star Alliance Gold
Turkish Airlines
- Miles&Smiles Classic Plus = Star Alliance Silver
- Miles&Smiles Elite = Star Alliance Gold
- Miles&Smiles Elite Plus = Star Alliance Gold
United Airlines
- MileagePlus Premier Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- MileagePlus Premier Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- MileagePlus Premier Platinum = Star Alliance Gold
- MileagePlus Premier 1K = Star Alliance Gold
- MileagePlus Global Services = Star Alliance Gold
In order to enjoy Star Alliance Silver, you must have one of these statuses:
| List of Star Alliance Silver Equivalent Statuses | |
| Air Canada Altitude Prestige 25K | LifeMiles Silver |
| Air Canada Altitude Elite 35K | MileagePlus Premier Silver |
| Airpoints Silver | Miles&Smiles Classic Plus |
| ANA Mileage Club Bronze | Miles&Go Silver |
| Asiana Club Gold | Miles+Bonus Silver |
| ConnectMiles Silver | Miles & More Frequent Traveler |
| EgyptAirPlus Silver | PhoenixMiles Silver |
| EuroBonus Silver | Royal Orchid Plus Silver |
| Flying Returns Silver Edge Club | ShebaMiles Silver Club |
| Infinity MileageLands Silver | Voyager Silver |
| KrisFlyer Elite Silver | |
Conversely, you’ll receive Star Alliance Gold if you have any of these statuses:
| List of Star Alliance Gold Equivalent Statuses | |
| Airpoints Gold | KrisFlyer PPS Club |
| Airpoints Elite | KrisFlyer Solitaire PPS Club |
| Altitude Elite 50K | KrisFlyer Solitaire PPS Club Life |
| Altitude Elite 75K | LifeMiles Gold |
| Altitude Super Elite 100K | LifeMiles Diamond |
| ANA Mileage Club Super Flyers | MileagePlus Premier Gold |
| ANA Mileage Club Diamond | MileagePlus Premier Platinum |
| ANA Mileage Club Platinum | MileagePlus Premier 1K |
| Asiana Club Diamond | MileagePlus Global Services |
| Asiana Club Diamond Plus | Miles&Go Gold |
| Asiana Club Platinum | Miles&Smiles Elite |
| ConnectMiles Gold | Miles&Smiles Elite Plus |
| ConnectMiles Platinum | Miles+Bonus Gold |
| ConnectMiles Presidential Platinum | Miles & More Senator |
| EgyptAirPlus Gold | Miles & More HON Circle |
| EgyptAirPlus Platinum | PhoenixMiles Gold |
| EuroBonus Gold | PhoenixMiles Platinum |
| EuroBonus Diamond | Royal Orchid Plus Gold |
| EuroBonus Pandion | Royal Orchid Plus Platinum |
| Flying Returns Golden Edge Club | ShebaMiles Gold Club |
| Flying Returns The Maharajah Club | ShebaMiles Platinum |
| Infinity MileageLands Gold | Voyager Gold |
| Infinity MileageLands Diamond | Voyager Platinum |
| KrisFlyer Elite Gold | Voyager Lifetime Platinum |
Co-Location Airports
Star Alliance offers a number of co-location airports where specific terminals are dedicated to Star Alliance member airlines offering combined ticketing and check-in counters, member lounges, baggage facilities, and other services. This is an “everything under 1 roof” operating logic, though some exceptions apply.
- Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN): Terminal 1
- Beijing Capital (PEK): Terminal 3E
- Cairo International (CAI): Terminal 3
- Chongqing Jiangbei International (CKG): Terminal 2B
- Indira Gandhi International, Delhi (DEL): Terminal 3
- Dublin Airport (DUB): Terminal 1; United Airlines located in Terminal 2
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA): Terminal 1
- Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou (CAN): Terminal 1; Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways located in Terminal 2
- Hong Kong International (HKG): Terminal 1; Thai Airways located in Terminal 2.
- London-Heathrow (LHR): Terminal 2
- Manchester International Airport (MAN): Terminal 1; Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, and Air Canada Rouge in Terminal 2; Adria Airways in Terminal 3
- Benito Juárez International, Mexico City (MEX): Terminal 1; Copa Airlines is located in Terminal 2
- Miami International (MIA): Concourse J; United Airlines is located in Concourse G
- Munich Airport (MUC): Terminal 2; Turkish Airlines is located in Terminal 1
- Domodedovo International, Moscow (DME): Concourse A; Air China, Brussels Airlines, and SAS located in Sheremetyevo Airport; Turkish Airlines is located in Vnukovo Airport
- Charles de Gaulle, Paris (CDG): Terminal 1; Austrian Airlines and Croatia Airlines are located in Terminal 2D; Air Canada and Ethiopian Airlines are located in Terminal 2A; Air India is located in Terminal 2C
- Phuket International (HKT): Terminal 1; Thai Airways is partially located in Terminal 2
- São Paulo-Guarulhos International (GRU): Terminal 3; Avianca and Copa Airlines is partially located in Terminal 2
- Incheon International, Seoul (ICN): Terminal 1
- Shanghai Pudong International (PVG): Terminal 2
- Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN): Terminal 5; SAS domestic flights depart from Terminal 4
- Taiwan Taoyuan International, Taipei (TPE): Terminal 2; Thai Airways is located in Terminal 1
- Narita International, Tokyo (NRT): Terminal 1 – South Wing; Air India is located in Terminal 2
- Toronto Pearson International (YYZ): Terminal 1
- Vienna International (VIE): Austrian Star Alliance Terminal (Check-in 3); Aegean and Turkish Airlines are located in Check-in 1.
Global Travel
Due to the number of cooperating airlines, providing travelers with opportunities for global travel is simplified within alliance networks.
Star Alliance provides the following global travel options:
Round the World Fares
- Choose from over 1,250 destinations in 191 countries
- Full 26 member airlines available
- Individually planned or Star Alliance Inspired Itineraries such as World Food, World Wonders, Romantic Journey, etc.
Circle Pacific
- Choose from over 85 destinations in 25 countries
- 12 out of 26 member airlines available: Air Canada (AC), Air China (CA), Air India (AI), Ethiopian Airlines (ET), EVA AIR (BR), All Nippon Airways (NH), Air New Zealand (NZ), Asiana Airlines (OZ), Singapore Airlines (SQ), Shenzhen Airlines (ZH), THAI (TG), United (UA)
For more information on these fares, please visit the Travel Centre on staralliance.com.
Star Alliance “Exclusive Lounges”
Star Alliance provides “Exclusive Lounges” at the following airports:
- Amsterdam, Amsterdam Airport Schipol (AMS):
- after the security checkpoint for Schengen flights on the upper level next to gate area D
- Buenos Aires, Ministro Pistarini / Ezeiza International (EZE):
- Airside, after security & immigration; upper level opposite Gate 9; via elevator or stairs
- Los Angeles, Los Angeles International (LAX):
- Tom Bradley International Terminal; Level 6, via escalator or elevator from the main atrium
- Nagoya / Chubu Centrair International (NGO):
- after customs/immigration, access via elevator near Gates 12-18; lounge entrance on Level 2
- Paris, Charles de Gaulle (CDG):
- after passport control, before security checkpoints; access via elevator to entrance on Level 11 of the Central Terminal Building
- Rio de Janeiro, Galeão International (GIG):
- International Departures Pier, Level 3; after passport control, before the departure gates; via escalators or lifts
- Rome, Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO):
- Terminal 3 after the security checkpoint for intra-Schengen flights on the upper level of gate area D
- São Paulo, Guarulhos International (GRU):
- Terminal 3 on the Mezzanine level above duty-free; accessible via escalators or elevators after passport checkpoint
I need to know what is the exact weight of the extra baggage for the business class on Lufthansa from Orlando International airport to Cairo international airport?
Hello Medhat. Generally, business class travelers can bring 2 bags each weighing up to 32 kg (70lbs). You can access Lufthansa’s baggage limits via this link. https://mobile.lufthansa.com/bag/rules_post.jsp or call them directly at 800-645-3880 to confirm.
I am flying Turkish Airlines from D.C. to Istanbul in business class, and connecting from there on a Turkish flight in economy to New Delhi. I am a star alliance gold member. What is my exact baggage allowance? Can I check in two bags through from DC to Delhi?
Hey Ashna, the Star Alliance website states that as a Gold Member: “You can take an extra 20 kg (44 pounds) where the weight concept applies or an extra piece where the piece concept applies.”
Since Turkish Airlines Elite & Elite Plus are both technically equivalent to Star Alliance Gold, their information is a bit tricky in that Elite is allowed 20k and Elite Plus 25k where weight applies and both allow for an extra piece where the piece concept applies.
This is made more complicated in that you’re flying both business and economy. Usually, when this is the case, you’re subject to the lesser fare’s policies… but we can’t confirm 100% since we aren’t Star Alliance OR Turkish Airlines.
If you’re at all nervous or unsure, we suggest calling Turkish Airlines customer service (if you’re calling from the U.S. 1 800 874 8875). Hope this helps!
In January we purchased tickets at http://www.turkishairlines.com. A couple of weeks ago Turkish Airlines (TA) disrupted the Houston to Istanbul leg of our trip. We have spoken to TA customer representatives about 12 times. We have sent emails. TA has done nothing. We are now 5 days from the scheduled departure with NO resolution. This is the worst treatment we have EVER received. Lee Cooper (XXX) XXX-XXXX.
Hi Lee, we’re sorry to hear you’re having issues but please be advised we are not affiliated with Turkish Airlines in any way. We’re simply a website that produces content on award travel and related topics. What type of disruption was/is it? It’s possible you’ll be eligible for compensation of some sort if they don’t resolve prior to your flight.
That being said, some customers have reached out to the airlines via Social Media, especially Twitter… when people voice a concern on such a public platform, this seems to grab the airline’s attention… not sure if Turkish Airlines is the same???
I am a United Airlines Platinum member with Star Alliance Gold status. I get an automatic seat upgrade to Economy Plus when I travel on United Airlines. Because of my Star Alliance Gold Status, am I entitled to a similar upgrade on other Star Alliance airline partners?
Hi Francis, according to the Star Alliance Website, Star Alliance Gold Status gives the benefit of a “Priority Reservations Waitlist” on Star Alliance airlines. Specifically, this is what’s stated:
“If seats in your desired class of service are not available, your status gives you higher priority on the waitlist when a reservation is possible, except when you are traveling on an award ticket. Please note that Priority Reservations Waitlist is subject to individual member carrier’s policy and legal regulations.”
Hope this helps! 🙂
Hi, I had a question. I do a lot of domestic travel with United, hence my premier 1K MileagePlus status. However, I’m not elegible to use the United club when flying domestic with them, so my question is, if I were to book a flight with United, using my MileagePlus account for mileage accruals purposes, could I potentially go to the United club and show them my ANA platinum membership card, since I have that, and would they allow me to go in? Or would they refuse because my boarding pass would reflect my MileagePlus only? Thank you!
Hello Pedro. I have used my ANA Platinum membership card to enter the United Club at Chicago O’hare when flying on a United ticket domestically. My United MileagePlus number was on the boarding pass. I hope this data point helps.
What is “Star Alliance Platinum” under Egypt Air Plus Platinum equivalent? I thought Star Alliance only had Silver and Gold Tiers.
Hi Roddy,
Thanks for reading. Egyptair Plus Platinum is equivalent to Star Alliance Gold, as is Egyptair Plus Gold.
You can check the Star Alliance status equivalency here: https://www.staralliance.com/en/recognition
Hi, I’m a Mileage Plus member with United Airlines. In a couple of weeks, I am traveling with Avianca. To earn miles for the trip, should I just give Avianca my United membership number? Or do I need to create a Star Alliance membership number?
Thanks,
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
If you wish to earn United miles for your trip, then yes you can provide Avianca with your United Mileage Plus number.
Thanks for reading!
Hi folks some advice needed here. I’m a long time SA Gold member on Scandinavian. I just moved to the US and so logically I would use United.
As my Scandinavian loyalty scheme (Eurobonus) is only really useful in Europe I opened a MileagePlus account with United.
The problem…when I book with United and build up my status there on MileagePlus, there’s no way when booked that United knows I am a Star Alliance Gold member. Therefore the following happens:
1. I don’t see baggage benefits when booking.
2. When going through security, my boarding pass doesn’t have ‘priority status’ and fails, needing someone to come over and speak to me. Also applies to priority boarding.
I thought the point of SA was to benefit from this globally but it seems airlines are not connected? Please help advise.
Hi David,
In order to enjoy Star Alliance benefits, you need to input your SAS Eurobonus number when making your bookings. However, you will earn SAS miles and not United miles. Otherwise, if you want to pursue United elite status, you have to “start from scratch” and input your United MileagePlus number.
Ultimately, it’s a trade-off as to which frequent flyer number you decide to use.
Hi,
I’m trying to find out how many One Pass miles it takes to fly round trip from Denver to Panama City, Panama. All I find is approximately 1.3 cents/mile but even that is questionable.
Is there a site that I can plug in both airports and get that number?
Thanks
Hi Bob,
One Pass miles from Continental Airlines were converted to the United MileagePlus program back in 2011. To fly from Denver to Panama City, Panama with United will cost 35,000 for a round-trip Saver Award, or 80,000 for an Everyday Award. You can view this, and other destinations, by visiting this link: https://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/mileageplus/awards/travel/awardTravel.aspx
I was a member of Star Alliance but did not use it for long time. These days I am flying with the Airlines of Star Alliance. Can you trace my membership status (number) and guide me as to how to get my new mileage points?
Hello Rohit. First, please understand that we are not Star Alliance, we are a blog specializing in miles, points, travel, and credit card resources. You would need to contact the specific airline with which you had a frequent flyer membership to recover your membership number and request any miles flown. You can start by reviewing the list of Star Alliance airline partners is in the article and select the one you have a membership with, then contact that airline.
Hello, I am currently a Star Alliance Gold member through United Mileage Plus. I will be switching to another SA frequent flyer program next year (with no status). While I understand I will lose benefits like priority check-in, baggage under the new frequent flyer program. I was wondering if I can still at least access the SA lounge with my UA Gold membership while credit the miles to a no status SA program. Of course, I will be flying SA airlines.
Thank you!
Hi Rou,
Yes you will still have lounge access. Star Alliance Gold has one of the best lounge access policies in which as long as you’re traveling on a same-day flight, you can access the lounge.
Hi,
Does Singapore Airlines automatically recognize my United Airlines MileagePlus Premier Gold status which is the same as Star Alliance Gold status? I have just recently (last week) achieved United Premier Gold and will be flying Singapore Airlines tomorrow so wondering if Singapore Airline’s system has been updated. Or should I just show my digital card on my United app?
I am asking because United Airlines says they no longer issue physical cards for Premier Gold status.
Also, is there a way to obtain a physical Star Alliance Gold membership card?
Thank you so much for your insights and help!
Best Regards,
BG
Hey BG,
While there’s no way to obtain a physical United Gold card, you will receive all associated benefits with your boarding pass. Just make sure to add your United MileagePlus number to your Singapore Airlines ticket. Your boarding pass will display your Star Alliance Gold status after adding the number to your ticket.
Thanks,
Andrew