Which Star Alliance Frequent Flyer scheme should YOU join? Part 1 - Overview and Matching
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- čas přidán 3. 07. 2024
- In this video I will attempt to answer the eternal question of which Star Alliance frequent flyer programme should you join?
This is the first part of a two part series. In this, part 1, I will provide an overview of the Star Alliance scheme and will talk about the most common, and simplest way of achieving status on Star Alliance, which is by matching across existing high status held elsewhere.
I will talk in some detail about the two current matching offers that are attractive, specifically those from TAP Air Portugal and Turkish Airlines. I'll also mention a third scheme which is offered by United airlines and targets high status holders in competing US airlines' schemes.
The second part (here - • Which Star Alliance Fr... ) talks about earning status from scratch as well as the other considerations that may be relevant to your particular circumstances. And I'll reveal which scheme I have decided to join.
Websites referenced:
www.statusmatcher.com
www.headforpoints.com
www.flyertalk.com/forum/milesbuzz/1352728-airline-status-match-master-thread.html
TAP status match: www.flytap.com/en-pt/miles-an...
Turkish status match: There's no specific page outlining the process but here's a link to the feedback form through which you will need to begin the match: www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/any-questions/customer-relations/index.html
United status match: www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/...
⭐ #frequentflyer #StarAlliance #MattsPlanet ⭐
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⏰ Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:34 - Overview of Star Alliance
4:28 - Why am I resetting?
5:00 - Considerations for picking a scheme
6:01 - Achieving Status
7:39 - TAP Matching Offer
9:41 - Turkish Matching Offer
11:22 - Wrapping Up
Thanks for this guide Matt, super helpful and lots to consider.
Thanks - more to come in video 2. I hate to be a tease but it would have been a 30 minute video if I hadn't split it into 2 parts!
Thanks Matt, another great video - lots to think about here
You're welcome - lots more to come in part 2!
Matt, been watching a few of your videos lately, and they're great! Thanks for the way you so clearly explain your content
Thanks Luke - glad you're enjoying them.
Great information. Off to watch part 2. Many thanks 😊
Thanks - I'll see you in 18 minutes time!
Thanks for another very interesting video! You have obviously put a ton of work into this and it is much appreciated. My trip to blighty last year was originally with Lufthansa (in business) because I had found an extremely good fare and would have got to experience the 747-800 on the outbound (GRU - FRA) and the Swiss (777 I believe) on the return, as well as 3 new lounges! Unfortunately flights were cancelled and we eventually asked for a refund and managed to get J class on Iberia for around 40% less! Anyway, I had signed up for the Miles and More program back then , but look forward to reviewing that decision after your next video!
I talk about it more in the 2nd video but the Lufthansa group has a P coded business fare which is usually great value but doesn't qualify for points in many schemes (except their own). Its a trap its easy to fall in!
Hey Matt! Detailled and extensive video again, compliments for your research and knowledge about these subjects.
One thing I'd love to give you feedback on is that in this video, the title got me really excited to see which airline programme I should join, since I don't live in the UK. Your previous BA/Oneworld video's really gave me a kickstart in going to research myself in getting status for the first time. In this video you aim mainly at status transfers from one alliance to the other, instead of actually explaining (to me at least) where I, myself, could start from scratch with Star Alliance.I am not a status holder anywhere, haha. This was more my expecation when seeing the title and got excited about learning from you how to approach SA programmes, where to start and what to consider, if that makes any sense. Nevertheless, as always, gave it a like and looking forward to your upcomming content!! Compliments again! Sending you the finest regards from The Netherlands again!
Thanks Peter - you need.... Part 2!!! That'll answer your questions. I intended this to be just 1 video but it would have been over 30 minutes long if I had done so I split it into 2 parts. 2nd part will be out later this week.
@@MattsPlanet no worries, I'll keep watching! 💪🏻
*** IMPORTANT UPDATE *** Aegean has amended its programme and increased the renewal requirement if you do not fly on Aegean - it has increased from 24,000 miles to 70,000 miles. It's now in line with other Star Airlines, but its a significant increase. I talk about it more in this update video: czcams.com/video/l6ZGjitEnkM/video.html
Uhh Asiana no longer exists: www.executivetraveller.com/news/asiana-airlines-brand-to-disappear-after-korean-air-take-over
No, no. They still exist. Integration into Korean Air will start in 2022 and will be completed in 2024. The loyalty programmes are still separate but joining Asiana's now will result in it being folded into Koreans (in Skyteam) at some point in the next couple of years.
Copa ConnectMiles still exists.
Good info 👍
Thanks!
Thanks for that Matt will have Google about it.
Any joy?
@@MattsPlanet not at the moment been to busy in garden with all this good weather keep it for rainy day
Matt another good video I will stay with one world mostly with BA, but our problem is we have 2 companion vouchers to use before they expire, and trying to get seats is becoming difficult they seem to put more obstacles in the way every time you try.
Whether to the extend them by another 6 months would help me but won't hold my breath with BA.
Thanks. They've been generous(ish) with extensions so far but you're right, nothing is certain right now. There's a way of buying seats with vouchers then wrapping them into a voucher if you then cancel - I don't know the precise details but it might be worth a google - its a good way of extending their validity even if you need to add some cash to the booking to achieve it.
It would be good to do a oneworld alliance segment like the star alliance.
Also, oneworld also have a normalisation approach eg emerald (platinum), sapphire (gold) or ruby (silver) levels
Thanks Derek. I did start noodling this a while back and it was quite clear that BA was the winner against Finnair and Qatar... That's probably worth reporting in itself but I may take another look as it is an interesting project to complete. Probably a winter project when its cold and rainy outside rather than a Summer one where I want to go and sit in the sun!
Do you have an exact video like this but covering Skyteam? That would be super helpful ❤
Thanks Ryan. Been asked a few times and it is on the to-do list but its a massive project and time has just not been on its side... Now Virgin is in Skyteam there may be new impetus!
@@MattsPlanet I was thinking the same thing! A video like this is much needed 🙌🏻 would be cool if you were the first to cover SkyTeam’s best frequent flyer scheme!
If you have time could you do similar for OW? There are less OW carriers than *A but a comparison would be interesting..
Thanks Jonathan - been asked a few times! I started to look into researching this and found that a) its a lot of work and b) its very likely that BA would be the clear winner for anyone living in the UK. So a lot of work for an unsurprising video didn't thrust it to the top of the to-do list! But there is value in confirming the answer so it is still on the list, albeit a little way from the top!
TK are one of the best for FF in A*. Been with them for years now and while they had a bad IT start, they are slowly getting there. Plus TK have consistently great low fares, their IST hub has a great lounge which makes connections great and a fantastic, business and economy product with DoCo catering even in economy. 2 year status, you can buy points to keep status etc.
Thanks for that - won't give away which scheme I actually picked but TK was on the shortlist... Was guested into the TK lounge in IST a few years back and it was certainly epic! Hope SAW is the same... Been some coverage that TK's food has dropped off somewhat through the pandemic - is it back to pre-pandemic standards?
@@MattsPlanet I've been FF of Singapore and Lufthansa. And unless you wanna travel F, I don't see the point. Singapore is a pain to get status. Points keep expiring, though short redemption on Thai B is nice. A lot of Singapore shirt haul is either angle flat or recliner. Lufthansa is just never ending, can't get status, points are never enough. Ana is good, but only if living in the region. I liked United too, till you realise United Star gold doesn't give you lounge access in the US domestic, which was just wrong according to me.
Referring to Oneworld Bronze/Silver/Gold is a bit misleading, since the levels are not aligned amongst the airlines. I get that you mean BA, but that really should be Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald (as the equivalents in QF, for example, are Silver/Gold/Platinum).
Good point. Force of habit from living in the UK!
@@MattsPlanet easily done! Thanks for taking the time to put the video together though, enjoyed watching!
Australia did once have a local Star Alliance member, that was Ansett Airlines. Sadly when Ansett went under, Australia lost any direct connection. I'd love to see Virgin Australia join SA but that won't happen.
I remember Ansett well! Flew them a few times before they went pop... Can't see Tiger Airlines joining Star either...
@@MattsPlanet Tiger doesn't exist anymore. This was in part when things went south with Virgin Australia (pre Bain takeover)
@@Iwishiwasflying Wow - missed that one!!! I liked tiger - always hilarious to watch boarding... Everyone scrumming to get on, presumably because they thought Tiger had oversold the plane and only the first 50% on board would get a seat!!!
Live in NZ, should be AirNZ gold for the first time in a month. Starting planing my trips for the following year to retain the status. But I usually travel on the cheapest fares, so it’s not easy. Considering to use status match when my AirNZ will be finishing. Any recommendations on which program should I consider to select?
Status matches are really rare these days so its a question of who is offering a match rather than who you'd like to match to
13
Unlucky for some...
The best one to join is to join BA.
I don't disagree! But BA and their chums cannot cover every route!
Respectfully disagree on network coverage in Australasia. Prepandemic I would fly pair New Zealand domestically in Australia, typically connecting through AKL. Excellent way to accrue miles to with all those ditch crossings
Fair point actually - probably was an Australia-centric point. Within NZ and across the ditch you're obviously well covered - as is the South Pacific. Domestically within Australia you are a bit stuck though!
@@MattsPlanet that's where cabotage comes in! Back when I was living in Canada I would always fly United domestically because the fares were like half the price of Air Canada and the service was better too!
SAS lifetime gold after 10years is intriguing for me
When you're 51 (like me...) 10 years sounds like a long time...
@@MattsPlanet yeah I do unterstand, speaking from my young 21 years lifetime makes a lot more sense
Mentioning it again, but Copa and United do NOT share a ffp. Copa’s program is called ConnectMiles.
Thanks again Marcus!
@@MattsPlanet I am curious however, do you know why you might have missed it?
I think 2 reasons - it was a while ago and the memory ain't what it used to be... I think I found this article - www.copaair.com/en/web/us/mileage-plus-loyalty-program - and relied upon it. And as there were 17 (ish) programs to investigate, when I saw the United one was revenue / mileage based I took a view that it was too ambitious to full understand that sort of program alongside the more common mileage. It does look like that article was inaccurate...
@@MattsPlanet It seems it was accurate at the time. As I think the new program was introduced around 2015. Though I don’t think it would have been a great program for you to join, it is kinda average, but has a requirement to fly a certain amount on their own metal.
Panama is lovely, but committing to flying on Copa metal when you live in England is going to be tough!
I am star alliance without even traveling one flight. #Platinum
Through a credit card?
@@MattsPlanet Yes SIR! 🤙🏻
Hi, could you help me
I can try...
What if you want all lol
Knock yourself out! No prohibition to joining more than one, although good luck staying on top of 27 schemes!
Turkish is a joke! taxes are so high that using your miles make you wanna burn your card... using the miles should be as cheap as it it on SAS . But SAS on the other hand dont count flown flights on LH and others, towards their flownflights EB programme, as i remember. its so hard to pick, when living in Denmark.
Thanks MAS - quite like the snooker myself... Come on Ronnie!!!! Couldn't help myself... Attempting a video like this is quite risky as there is so much you can't cover, such as the taxes on redemptions... BA is known to be terrible, although most of it is driven by UK taxes so can be avoided with a short deviation at the start of the trip. Finding out the situation with the 27 Star Alliance members in the 50 odd countries their redemptions might start from is an impossible task...
@@MattsPlanet played judd trump before he was 13, he ofc still won, haha. lost 3-2. proud ;D I picked aegean and now did FRA-MEX and back . should give a few miles :D