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.
[aside headline="Why Starwood Is King (and Amex Rewards Is Queen)" alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"]As you can see in the chart below, Asiana only charges 100,000 miles for First Class between Europe and North America. One of the lowest First Class awards to Europe, it costs even less if you have a Starwood account: only 80,000 Starpoints—15,000 fewer miles for First Class than United charges for Business. In other words, if you have a Starwood card and book via Asiana, as opposed to using a United credit card and making a direct booking, you’re getting a free upgrade all day long.[/aside]
Avianca: C-
Does not fly between the U.S. and Europe, but offers partner flight awards at 174,000 miles round trip in First Class. Avianca doesn’t partner with any major credit card point program, but often has miles on sale through its LifeMiles program.
EVA Air: C-
First Class partner awards are 170,000 miles round-trip. Mileage transfer: Citi ThankYou.
Singapore: A / C+
Charges 114,750 miles (when booked online) for its only route to Europe (NYC-Frankfurt), and 160,000 miles for partner flights. A for its own flights and C+ for partner rates. Mileage transfer: Amex Rewards, Chase, Citi ThankYou, Starwood.
Thai Airways: C+
First Class partner awards cost 160,000 miles round-trip. Mileage transfer: Citi ThankYou, Starwood.
United: B / D-
Charges 160,000 miles for its own flights, but goes sky-high (220,000 miles) for partner awards, the highest price by far of the airlines covered here. B for its own flights and D- for partner rates. Mileage transfer: Chase.
Round-trip Award Costs to Europe > Star Alliance Airlines > First Class
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