Star Alliance launches Upgrade Awards

Star Alliance is now offering a Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP) upgrade redemption option across the alliance, rather than on an individual carrier basis.

This enhancement is now available to the FFP members of ANA (ANA Mileage Club), Austrian (Miles & More), LOT Polish Airlines (Miles & More), Lufthansa (Miles & More) and Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer). Other Star Alliance member carriers will begin to offer this product during 2006.

Star Alliance Upgrade Awards permits customers to redeem miles or points from their FFP account to upgrade by one class, either from Economy Class to Business Class or from Business Class to First Class, on scheduled flights operated by the participating member carriers.

Star Alliance Upgrade Awards requires a confirmed booking prior to travel through the existing FFP redemption channels, in general either a call centre or a website (depending on carrier’s offer). The upgrade is processed electronically through the computer reservations system, eliminating the need to issue paper certificates to the customers. Both conventional paper tickets as well as electronic tickets can be upgraded under this new scheme. As with most FFP redemption products, capacity restrictions apply and upgrades from certain types of fares are not permissible.

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