Be a smart frequent flyer: A review of Star Alliance mileage programs

This article is reprinted fromTripPlus

There’s an old saying: if you cheat on an exam, you’ll be a freshman again next year; better to lose your dignity than to fail. In the world of mileage programs, there are no exams, but have you ever regretted choosing the wrong program when redeeming tickets? Or, after eagerly opening TripPlus’s beautifully detailed mileage program guides, do you find yourself forgetting what you read earlier? Do you miss the shared class notes from student days or the cheat sheets from college exams that helped you quickly grasp the material and pass with flying colors? This time, we focus on the three major alliances, comparing the pros and cons of common programs within each alliance. These programs are also part of the four major transfer systems used by U.S. credit cards, all allowing points to be transferred into miles. We hope this helps readers gain a clearer idea of which mileage program to choose for ticket redemptions. Of course, notes can only help you score quickly—don’t forget to click through to each individual program’s guide to read in detail, as that’s where the real value lies.

All Nippon Airways (ANA Mileage Club)(Click here for the full mileage guide)

Pros
Generally offers the most cost-effective redemption rates for most Star Alliance routes. If you’re looking to redeem for EVA Air’s Royal Laurel Class on Taiwan–U.S. routes, this program is arguably the best choice, hands down.(Click here for a step-by-step guide to redeeming EVA Air Royal Laurel Business Class tickets)Round-trip tickets allow you to add one open jaw and one stopover for free, making it easy to visit an extra destination. Tickets can be issued online. Unflown segments can be changed for free (though flights or routes cannot be changed for free). Even if you cancel and rebook, the fee is only 3,000 miles, which is very cheap.AMEX Membership Rewards (click here)is a transfer partner, enabling fast mileage accumulation. There are specific rules for booking round-the-world tickets, allowing up to 7 stopovers, which is extremely cost-effective.(Click here for guidance on planning round-the-world mileage tickets)

Cons
One-way tickets cannot be booked, which can sometimes limit your itinerary. Fuel surcharges apply, and for partner airlines like Lufthansa, these can sometimes reach up to thousands of dollars. Tickets can only be issued for immediate family members, making it more troublesome to travel with friends. Miles expire exactly three years after they enter your account, with no exceptions.(Click here for a summary of mileage expiration policies across airlines)

Air Canada Aeroplan(Click here for an overview of the mileage program)

Pros
The best mileage program for booking infant tickets, at super low rates.(Click here for a guide to infant mileage tickets)Tickets can be issued online, and the system offers flexible routing, making it suitable for beginners with time constraints. One-way tickets can be booked, facilitating itinerary planning.
When redeeming round-trip tickets, you can have two stopovers or one stopover plus one open jaw, and you can even book round-the-world tickets. 25,000 miles can upgrade an economy class Star Alliance ticket to business class, which is the lowest requirement for Asia–America routes.(Click here for guidance on upgrading Star Alliance business/first class tickets using Aeroplan miles) AMEX Membership Rewards (click here)is a transfer partner, enabling fast mileage accumulation.Cons

In two years, Air Canada will launch its own proprietary mileage program, leaving the fate of this previously outsourced partnership uncertain. Fuel surcharges apply, and for partner airlines like Lufthansa, these can sometimes reach up to thousands of dollars. Some airlines’ mileage tickets may be hidden, visible but unbookable. Miles expire within one year if there’s no activity.
(Click here for a summary of mileage expiration policies across airlines)

Avianca LifeMiles(Click here for the mileage program guide)

Pros
One-way tickets can be booked, facilitating itinerary planning. Tickets can be issued online. No additional expensive fuel surcharges are applied for certain airlines, saving you money. Mileage requirements are similar to United Airlines. LifeMiles are often sold at low prices, and purchases made with the AMEX Platinum card (click here) earn 5x points, which is extremely cost-effective.(Click here for the AMEX Platinum card)Cons

Disadvantages
Online ticket issuance relies solely on the routes provided by the system, with no flexibility to adjust, resulting in low flexibility. Sometimes you may see tickets that other systems don’t show, but you might also miss tickets others can see—perfect for those with a strong heart. Stopover itineraries cannot be redeemed. Apart from purchasing miles, it’s relatively difficult to accumulate large amounts of miles through credit card spending.

United Airlines MileagePlus(Click here for an overview of the mileage program)

Pros
Tickets can be issued online, and the system offers flexible routing, making it suitable for beginners with time constraints. One-way tickets can be booked, facilitating itinerary planning. No additional expensive fuel surcharges are applied for some airlines, making it ideal for budget travelers.(Click here for Chase Ultimate Rewards)is a transfer partner, enabling fast mileage accumulation, and you don’t have to worry much about expiration (as long as there’s activity within every 18 months).

Cons
Mileage requirements for first class redemptions are extremely high, generally making it not cost-effective. The new Excursionist Perk rule is somewhat complex, and unless you’re as smart as TripPlus author YS, it’s not easy to figure out right away.(Click here for an in-depth analysis and application of the Excursionist Perk)A $75 fee is charged for ticket issuance within 21 days of departure. For those who prefer last-minute bookings, this is a hidden additional cost.

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (Click here for an overview of the mileage program)

Pros
One-way tickets can be booked, facilitating itinerary planning. Singapore Airlines’ premium first class/suites mileage tickets are generally only available for redemption with its own miles, making it unique. Redeeming for Singapore Airlines flights incurs no fuel surcharges, saving you money. It’s one of the few partners that can be used with all four major U.S. point systems, offering a rich variety of mileage sources.

Cons
Redemptions for Star Alliance partner airlines must be done via phone customer service. Mileage requirements are generally very high, and unless you’re redeeming for Singapore Airlines flights, other airlines’ programs are usually more cost-effective. Fuel surcharges apply for Star Alliance partner airline redemptions, and for partner airlines like Lufthansa, these can sometimes reach up to thousands of dollars. Miles expire exactly three years after they enter your account, with no exceptions. (Note: PPS Club elite members of Singapore Airlines are exempt from this rule.) Redeeming tickets for others allows up to five free additions to the passenger list, making it less suitable for families with larger redemption needs.

EVA Air Infinity MileageLands

Pros
EVA Air’s upgrade standards for its premium economy class to Royal Laurel Class are reasonable, and combined with premium economy promotions, it’s suitable for those who won’t fly anything else. You can redeem for mileage tickets departing from within or outside Asia, and if used well, one ticket can cover trips to two or three different Asian cities.

Cons
Mileage requirements are generally very high. Miles expire exactly three years after they enter your account, with no exceptions.

Air China Phoenix Miles

Pros
You can redeem for Air China flights online. You can also redeem for Cathay Pacific flights, with Hong Kong–Europe/South Africa first class round-trip tickets available for just 110,000 KMs.

Cons
Redemptions for non-Air China flights must be done at Air China service centers, which is a very annoying process. (Note: If you have a credit card or bank card in mainland China, you can book online directly.) Fuel surcharges apply. Miles expire exactly three years after they enter your account, with no exceptions. Only the SPG program is a transfer partner, and its future is uncertain. Additionally, the transfer unit is kilometers (KM) rather than miles (Mile), making it less cost-effective. Redemptions are limited to eight people on the redemption list, and the list takes 60 days to become active. Members who joined after April 2017 must have taken four Air China flights to be eligible for mileage redemptions.

Lufthansa Miles & More

Pros
Occasional promotions—Mileage Bargains—allow you to redeem mileage tickets at nearly half price, even including business class.(Click here for an introduction to Lufthansa Mileage Bargains)You can redeem for Lufthansa first class earlier than other Star Alliance partner airline programs (no need to wait until 15 days before departure), making it easy to be a luxury traveler like TripPlus’s North American video star Kacy.(Click here for more)Cons

Disadvantages
Only SPG is a transfer partner, and its future is uncertain. High fuel surcharges apply, and for partner airlines like Lufthansa, these can sometimes reach up to thousands of dollars.
Miles expire exactly three years after they enter your account, with no exceptions. (Note: If you’re a Silver member or above, your miles won’t expire during your membership period. Co-branded cardholders also have ways to avoid expiration.)

Asiana Airlines Asiana Club

Pros
One-way tickets can be booked, facilitating itinerary planning. You can also stop over in Seoul, making it suitable for Korea enthusiasts. It’s relatively easy to redeem for Asiana Airlines flights, making it suitable for group travel. Miles are valid for ten years. It’s the most cost-effective program for redeeming business class tickets from North America to southern South America.

Cons
Mileage requirements are generally very high. Miles expire exactly three years after they enter your account, with no exceptions.

Trip Plus Only SPG is a transfer partner, and its future is uncertain. Fuel surcharges apply, and for partner airlines like Lufthansa, these can sometimes reach up to thousands of dollars. Redemptions are limited to immediate family members, and identity verification is required, which can be inconvenient.　Fan Page