How the major programs compare and why having the right credit card(s) makes such a big difference.

This is part six in FCF’s latest mileage-award comparison series, in which we grade major alliance mileage programs by how much they charge for a free award ticket in Business and First Class to/from various regions.

In this installment, we examine nine Star Alliance loyalty programs for travel between U.S. and Europe, First Class. (See box below for a list of past Report Cards.)

Mileage Cost Discrepancies

Flying to/from Europe allows you to take advantage of award chart discrepancies between airline partners. Having the right credit cards, meaning one from Amex Rewards, Chase, Citi ThankYou, or Starwood (read the full report) enables savvy travelers to leverage these discrepancies.

Many Asian and some European carriers use a Flight-Distance Award Chart (mileage required equals the distance between departure and destination cities), whereas most North American carriers use a Regional Chart (a flat rate from one region to another; also known as a Zone Chart).

Sometimes, you can book an Asian carrier at a much lower rate than a U.S. carrier for a flight to Europe. It costs 60,000 (37%) fewer miles through Asiana (a Starwood partner) to Europe than on United, for example.

A Note on the Grading System

It’s very simple, A through F, just like in grammar school. The lower the mileage requirement, the higher the grade; and for this report card, FCF rates not only each airline’s mileage requirements but also grades partner-flight rates. The grades are based on four sample routes, as it is impossible to account for every route.

The Grades

Air Canada: B

Despite having no First Class cabin on its own flights, it offers First Class partner flight awards ranging from 125,000 to 145,000 miles for bookings prior to Dec. Then the cost increases to 140,000 to 160,000 miles. Mileage transfer: Amex  Rewards, Starwood.

All Nippon: C

Partner awards are 165,000 miles round-trip in First Class. Mileage transfer: Amex Rewards, Starwood.

Asiana: A

Gets the highest grade for its  partner flights because it  charges a flat 100,000 miles to Europe from the U.S. Many airlines charge more for Business Class awards to Europe—so count this as a free upgrade. Mileage transfer: Starwood.

Lufthansa and SWISS: C+ / C-

Miles&More’s loyalty program includes Lufthansa and SWISS for First Class travel. The same rate, 170,000 miles, applies to airline and partner awards. Mileage transfer: Starwood.

‍

Singapore

The lowest discounted published First Class fare for Los  Angeles-Tokyo is $12,200 round-trip while a round-trip award ticket costs 148,750 miles and just $260 in taxes.

That’s an 8¢ return on miles.

Don’t have Singapore miles? No problem if you have Starwood Starpoints, Amex, Chase, or Citi ThankYou, as you can transfer 107,000 to 120,000 points (cost varies by class of service) to Singapore, given the SPG bonuses; or transfer 132,000 to 149,000 points with other credit cards. (Figures are based on the 15% discount for booking awards online.)

Singapore Partner Opportunities

With All Nippon Miles: 85,000 in Business Class. Starwood transfer requires only 70,000; availability is sometimes the same with All Nippon miles as it is with Singapore miles.

Singapore Los Angeles - Tokyo A380 Sweet Redeem Survey:

Asiana

The lowest discounted published First Class fare for New York-Seoul is $7,929 round-trip (and goes up to $16,371); while a round-trip award ticket costs 160,000 miles in low season (year round, except Dec. 5 to Dec. 23 and May 14 to July 3, 2016) and just $245 in taxes. That’s a 4.8¢ return on miles.

Don’t have Asiana miles? No problem if you have Starwood Starpoints, as you can transfer 100,000 to 130,000 points (cost varies by class of service) to Asiana, given the SPG bonuses.

Asiana Partner Opportunities

With All Nippon Miles: 95,000 in Business Class (First Class is more using ANA miles). Starwood transfer requires only 80,000 in Business Class; availability is sometimes the same with All Nippon miles as it is with Asiana miles.

The lowest discounted published First Class fare for AtlantaSeoul is $18,291 round-trip, while a round-trip award ticket costs 160,000 (low season) and just $245 in taxes. That’s an 11.3¢ return on miles. (In peak season, Dec. 10 to Dec. 25 and May 13, 2016 to June 30, 2016, the cost is 240,000 miles.)

Don’t have Korean miles? No problem if you have  Starwood Starpoints, as you can transfer 100,000 to 195,000 points (cost varies by class of service and travel  season) to Korean, given the SPG bonuses, or transfer 125,000 to 240,000 points with Chase.

Korean Partner Opportunities

With Alitalia Miles: 90,000 in Business Class. Starwood transfer requires only 75,000; availability is sometimes the same with Alitalia miles as it is with Korean miles.

China Southern

The lowest discounted published First Class fare for Los Angeles-Guangzhou is $9,550 round-trip (and goes up to $20,399); while a round-trip award ticket costs 310,000 miles and about $398 in taxes. That’s a 3¢ return on miles.

Don’t have China Southern miles? No problem if you have Starwood Starpoints, as you can transfer 180,000 to 250,000 points (cost varies by class of service) to China Southern, given the SPG bonuses.

China Southern Partner Opportunities

With Alitalia Miles: 95,000 in Business Class. Starwood transfer requires only 80,000; availability is sometimes the same with Alitalia miles as it is with China Southern miles.

China Southern Los Angeles-Guangzhou A380 Sweet Redeem Survey

Emirates A380 Sweet Redeem Survey:

Korean A380 Sweet Redeem Survey to Seoul:

Air France A380 Business Class Sweet Redeem Survey to Paris:

Asiana Airlines A380 Sweet Redeem Survey to Seoul:

British Airways A380 Sweet Redeem Survey to London: