The Star Alliance: Everything You Need to Know [Partners Listed]
Full Disclosure: We may be compensated when you click on links to credit card products from our advertising partners, such as American Express, Chase & Barclays. Opinions on this site are ours alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by the issuer. See our Advertiser Disclosure for more details. Thanks!
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: 690 million
- Daily Flights: 18,450+
- Destinations: 1,300+
- Countries: 190
- Combined Fleet: 4,631 aircraft
- Lounges: 1,100+
- Employees: ~ 44,600
- Annual Revenue: ~ $174 billion
Partners:
- Adria
- Aegean
- Air Canada>
- Air China
- Air India
- Air New Zealand
- ANA
- Asiana Airlines
- Austrian
- Avianca
- Brussels Airlines
- Copa Airlines
- Croatia Airlines
- Egypt Air
- Ethiopian
- Eva Air
- Polish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Scandinavian Airlines
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- Swiss
- TAP Portugal
- Thai
- Turkish Airlines
- United
How it Works:
The Star Alliance itself does not host an individual frequent flyer program. This is consistent with the other major airline alliances.
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:
- Star Alliance Silver
- Star Alliance Gold
Benefits:
| 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.
Access to the above Star Alliance Silver benefits are included, with the following differences/additions:
Access to Priority Check-In Counters
- This can significantly expedite 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 20kg (44lb) baggage weight.
- Using the “piece” concept, Star Alliance Gold members are eligible for one extra piece of luggage.
*exclusions apply
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.
- This also includes one guest
*exceptions apply – more lounge details .
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:
Adria, 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
- Aeroplan/ Altitude Prestige 25K = Star Alliance Silver
- Aeroplan/ Altitude Elite 35K = Star Alliance Silver
- Aeroplan/ Altitude Elite 50K = Star Alliance Gold
- Aeroplan/ Altitude Elite 75K = Star Alliance Gold
- Aeroplan/ Altitude Super Elite 100K = Star Alliance Gold
Air China, Shenzhen Airlines
- Phoenix Miles Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- Phoenix Miles Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- Phoenix Miles 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
Avianca Brazil
- Programa Amigo Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- Programa Amigo Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- Programa Amigo 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 Platinum
Ethiopian Airlines
- Sheba Miles Silver Club = Star Alliance Silver
- Sheba Miles Gold 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
South African Airways
- Voyager Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- Voyager Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- Voyager Platinum = Star Alliance Gold
TAP Portugal
- Victoria Silver Winner = Star Alliance Silver
- Victoria Gold Winner = 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
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 & check-in counters, member lounges, baggage facilities, and other services. This is an “everything under one roof” operating logic.
*some exceptions apply
Barcelona–El Prat Airport (BCN): Terminal 1
Beijing Capital (PEK): Terminal 3
Cairo International (CAI): Terminal 3
Chongqing Jiangbei International (CKG): Terminal 2B
Indira Gandhi International, Delhi (DEL): Terminal 3
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) – Terminal 1
Hong Kong International (HKG): Terminal 1*
London Heathrow (LHR): Terminal 1
Manchester Ringway International (MAN): Terminal 1*
Benito Juárez International, Mexico City (MEX): Terminal 1*
Miami International (MIA): Concourse J*
Munich Airport (MUC): Terminal 2*
Domodedovo International, Moscow (DME): Terminal A*
Charles de Gaulle, Paris (CDG): Terminal 1*
Phuket International (HKT): Terminal 1*
São Paulo-Guarulhos International (GRU): Terminal 3*
Incheon International, Seoul (ICN): Concourse A*
Shanghai Pudong International (PVG): Terminal 2
Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN): Terminal 5*
Taiwan Taoyuan International, Taipei (TPE): Terminal 2*
Narita International, Tokyo (NRT): Terminal 1 – South Wing*
Toronto Pearson International (YYZ): Terminal 1
Vienna International (VIE): Austrian Star Alliance Terminal (Check-in 3)*
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 1300 destinations in 191 countries
- full 28 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
- 14/28 member airlines available
Airpass
- explore a continent, region or country
- Available for Africa, Asia, China, Europe, North America
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:
- Rio de Janeiro, Galeão International(GIG):
- International Departures Pier, Level 3; after passport control, before the departure gates; via escalators or lifts
- Buenos Aires, Ministro Pistarini / Ezeiza International (EZE):
- Airside, after security & immigration; upper level opposite Gate 9; via elevator or stairs
- California, Los Angeles International (LAX):
- Tom Bradley International Terminal; Level 6, via escalator or elevator from the main atrium
- Japan, 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
- Sao Paulo, Guarulhos International (GRU):
- Terminal 3 on the Mezzanine level above duty-free; accessible via escalators or elevators after passport checkpoint
