Star Alliance adds Air Canada, TAM and US Airways to upgrade awards product

Frankfurt, GERMANY – 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.

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About Brussels Airlines

Brussels Airlines is the home carrier of Belgium and one of the four network airlines of the Lufthansa Group. It connects the European capital from Brussels Airport with over 90 destinations, 18 of which are in Sub Saharan Africa. The company employs more than 3,500 people and operates 44 aircraft.

Brussels Airlines aims to emit 50% less CO2 by 2030 compared to 2019 and plans to be carbon neutral by 2050. The airline is participating in the Stargate Project led by Brussels Airport and is therefore part of the testing ground for sustainable aviation at its home base. In addition, the airline signed the Circular Economy agreement of the Antwerp Management School in 2021. The airline was the first to transport Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the CEPS-pipeline connecting Brussels Airport early 2023. By end 2024, Brussels Airlines will have welcomed five state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo allowing the airline to significantly lower its CO2- and noise-emissions on its medium-haul network.

As an ambassador of its country, Brussels Airlines brings the world to Belgium and the best of Belgium to the world, among others through collaborations with Belgian Star Chefs, Belgian culinary products and the Belgian Icons, specially painted aircraft that honour a Belgian iconic person, team or event to promote Belgian culture worldwide.

More information on brusselsairlines.com 


About Star Alliance

Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.

Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 airports in almost 190 countries.

Star Alliance Press Office: +65 8729 6691; mediarelations@staralliance.com
More information on staralliance.com

Contact

b.house Zone General Aviation - Airport Building 26 1831 Diegem

+32 2 723 89 90

press@brusselsairlines.com

www.brusselsairlines.com