How the major Star Alliance mileage programs compare—and why having the right credit card(s) makes such a difference.
This is part two of FCF’s new mileage-award cost series, in which we grade major alliance mileage programs by how much they charge for a free award ticket in Business or First Class to various regions of the world.
Last month we focused on oneworld in Business Class to Asia. For this installment, we examined nine Star Alliance airline loyalty programs to Asia in First Class. In succeeding articles we’ll rate Star Alliance carriers and Sky Team carriers on both Business and First Class awards to Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, and the South Pacific. (Let us know which one you’d like us to report on next).
Mileage Cost Discrepancies
Flying to Asia 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 enables savvy travelers to leverage these discrepancies.
That’s because these cards have a number of airline partners (Amex has 17, Chase 6, Citi Thank You 12, Starwood 41) to which you can transfer points. It also allows you to use one carrier’s miles to get a good deal on one of its partners.
Book Asiana or All Nippon (Amex and Star wood partner) when booking Star Alliance partner awards and pay up to 80,000 miles less than with United (Chase partner), a savings of 31%.
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 airlines’ mileage requirements, but also grades partner-flight rates. FCF based the grades on the three sample routes we used last month, as it is impossible to show all routes to Asia.
The Grades
Air Canada: C
Despite no First Class cabin on its own flights, it offers First Class partner flight awards for 210,000 miles. Miles can be transferred from Amex Rewards and Starwood.
All Nippon: B
Divides Asia into four zones with three seasonal rates (150,000 to 210,000 miles):
Low season 2016: Jan. 5 to Feb. 29 and April 1 to April 26.
Regular season in 2015: May 8 to July 30 and Aug. 18 to Dec. 17.
Regular season 2016: March 1 to March 31, May 10 to July 28, and Aug. 23 to Dec. 21.
High season 2015: July 31 to Aug. 17 and Dec. 18 to Dec. 31.
High season 2015: July 31 to Aug. 17 and Dec. 18 to Dec. 31.
Partner awards are based on the same four travel zones, but do not have the seasonal restrictions. They start at 150,000 miles round-trip in First Class to Japan, the lowest cost of any Star Alliance partner award on this route. Other routes vary depending on the zone, but they still fall within the 150,000-210,000 range round-trip. Miles can be transferred from Amex Rewards and Starwood.
Asiana: A- / B+
Also divides Asia into four zones and charges one rate for its regular First Class seat and up to 30,000 more for its new First Class Suite, currently only offered from Los Angeles and New York to Seoul. Partner awards are based on three zones in Asia. Gets an A- for its own flights and B+ for partner rates. Miles can be transferred from Starwood.
Lufthansa: C
Miles&More’s loyalty program includes Lufthansa and SWISS for First Class travel. The same rate applies for both airlines. For award purposes, Asia is considered one region, so the rate is the same no matter the destination at 210,000 miles. Miles can be transferred from Starwood.
[aside headline="No miles? No problem." alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"]
For detailed information on getting miles in any of the airline mileage programs in this article, please see our April 2015 issue. It includes not only point-transfer information, but also ways to buy miles.
Buy Miles to Fly in Style
The “buy miles” strategy generally works when published fares are $4,000+ or a non-stop flight is a must. Not recommended when First Class fares to Asia are on sale.[/aside]
Avianca: B
Does not fly between the U.S. and Asia, but offers partner flight awards at a low mileage cost, based on its zone award chart. The airline divides Asia into three regions; cost is 180,000 to 198,000 miles roundtrip for First Class. Avianca doesn’t partner with any of the major credit card point programs, but often has miles on sale.
EVA Air: C
Doesn’t have a First Class cabin, but offers First Class partner flight awards. Miles can be transferred from Citi ThankYou.
Singapore: C+ / C
Divides Asia into seven zones and the U.S. into two for its own and partner flights. C+ for its own flights and C for partner rates. Mileage transfer: Amex Rewards, Chase, Citi Thank You, and Star wood.
Thai Airways: D+
Does not have a First Class cabin, but offers First Class partner flight awards. Miles can be transferred from Citi Thank You and Star wood.
United: A- / D
Gets the highest grade for its own flights because it charges a flat 160,000 miles to most of Asia from the U.S. with no seasonal restrictions. But a low grade for partner flights because of the high award price. Mileage transfer: Chase.
Round-trip Award Costs to Asia > Star Alliance Airlines > First Class
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