STAR ALLIANCE ADDS AIR CANADA, TAM AND US AIRWAYS TO UPGRADE AWARDS PRODUCT

All Member Carriers Based in the Americas Now Participating Frequent flyers on the Star Alliance network can now also use their miles to upgrade when travelling on Air Canada, TAM and US Airways. These member carriers are now participating in the unique Star Alliance Upgrade Awards programme, the redemption option enabling customers to use miles or points from their Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP) accounts for one-class upgrades on scheduled flights operated by the participating Star Alliance member carriers. Travellers enrolled in Aeroplan? (Air Canada), Fidelidade (TAM) or Dividend Miles? (US Airways) can exchange their collected miles for a Star Alliance Upgrade Award. With this award, a confirmed and ticketed booking can be upgraded to a higher class prior to travel. In order to redeem the award, customers need to contact their FFP, either by calling reservations or logging onto the web (depending on what is offered by the carrier). The upgrade is processed electronically, eliminating the need to issue paper certificates. Upgrades are permitted for one class of travel, either from Economy Class to Business Class or from Business Class to First Class*. Upgrades from certain types of fares are not possible. “Our frequent flyers have always told us that upgrading using miles across the entire alliance is one of the highest sought after benefits. Hence, by now offering Star Alliance Upgrade Awards across all flights in the Americas we further increased the attractiveness of our Alliance product,” said Vice President Commercial, Star Alliance, Christopher Korenke. “We are working on getting the remaining Star Alliance member carriers into the product as soon as possible.” Star Alliance, the way the Earth connects, is the first global airline alliance to offer such a product, which is now available to the FFP members of Air China (PhoenixMiles?), Air Canada (Aeroplan?), Air New Zealand (Airpoints?), ANA (ANA Mileage Club?), Asiana Airlines (Asiana Club?), Austrian (Miles & More?), Brussels Airlines (Miles & More?), Continental (OnePass), LOT Polish Airlines (Miles & More?), Lufthansa (Miles & More?), SAS (EuroBonus?), Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer?), SWISS (Miles & More?), TAM (Fidelidade), TAP Portugal (Victoria?), THAI (Royal Orchid Plus?), Turkish Airlines (Miles & Smiles?), United (Mileage Plus?) and US Airways (Dividend Miles?). With the latest additions, all five Star Alliance member airlines based in the Americas now offer this product. Since its inception in 1997, emphasis has been placed by the Star Alliance network on adding value to each member carrier’s FFP by offering alliance-wide benefits to customers. For instance, Star Alliance was the first airline alliance to offer harmonised benefits for both Gold and Silver Card holders across the network, which include: Priority Check-In Star Alliance Gold members can make use of separate check-in desks. Priority Waitlist Star Alliance Gold and Star Alliance Silver members receive priority waitlisting if the desired flight is already fully booked. Priority Airport Standby Star Alliance Gold and Star Alliance Silver members receive priority standby listing if they arrive at the airport without any reservation for a specific flight (subject to local regulations). Lounge Access Star Alliance Gold members have access to more than 970 lounges at airports around the world. Priority Baggage Tags Star Alliance Gold members are entitled to priority baggage service across the network. Increased Baggage Allowance Star Alliance Gold customers are entitled to one additional piece of checked baggage (piece concept) or an additional 20 kilos (weight concept). Moreover, Star Alliance is currently the only alliance that provides customers with one point of contact to book and ticket award travel on all other Star Alliance carriers. * Note: not all participating carriers offer First Class. On certain flights offering First and Economy Class only, upgrades from Economy to First are possible. About Star Alliance: The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognised by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award, Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Blue1, bmi, Brussels Airlines, Continental Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAM Airlines, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways. Air India, Avianca-TACA, Copa Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines have been announced as future members. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers 21,000 daily flights to 1,160 airports in 181 countries. For further information please contact: Star Alliance Press Office Tel: +49 69 96375 183 Fax: +49 69 96375 683 Email: [email protected] www.staralliance.com

• ข่าวStar Alliance
• ข่าวAir Canada
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