Star Alliance

One of the big three airline partnerships, Star Alliance began in 1997 when United Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International, Air Canada, and Lufthansa joined forces.

Over the years a number of airlines have joined the group, and now there are twenty-six members spanning the world. The objective is that each maintains its independent identity but then comes together at numerous hubs around the world to provide a smoother travelling experience.

In their own words, their strategy is to be the most digitally advanced global airline alliance, delivering seamless travel experiences, with a loyalty proposition others talk about.

So what does that mean for you and me, the passengers?

Frequent Flyers - each airline maintains its own loyalty scheme and being a member of any of these gives access to the whole Star Alliance network. That means you can give your initial member number to any of the group members, and earn points or miles (if eligible). These can be added retrospectively.

It should be noted that these can't be transferred between different schemes.

There are twenty frequent flyer schemes and all twenty-six members allow you to accrue points. These points can then be used to buy a flight with any member, regardless of where you earned them, or used towards upgrades. In addition, you can progress to Silver and then Gold status much more quickly.

These benefits are all subject to availability and should be considered Star Alliance benefits that might sit alongside the benefits of the airlines' own benefits.

Silver Benefits - with a silver level passengers can gain a host of benefits

• Priority Reservations Waitlist - for use when the seats you want aren't available

• Priority Airport Stand-by - if plans change and flights are full you will have a higher priority

• Heathrow Express upgrade - free upgrade to Business First class on your transfer into London Paddington

Gold Benefits - gold level passengers get the Silver benefits as well as the following

• Priority Airport Check-in - avoid the queues at check-in

• Priority Baggage Handling - you'll be first on the belt

• Airport Lounge Access - over 1000 worldwide, searchable tool on the website

• Priority Boarding - normally at the same time as Business and First class

• Extra Baggage Allowance - an extra 20kg or an extra item

• Gold Track - security priority lines, 150 locations, searchable tool on the website

Star Alliance also offers a couple of multi-trip options, Circle Pacific and Round The World. These can both offer great savings over buying individual tickets as long as you can adhere to the conditions.

As well as there being the numerous airline lounges there are also a number of Star Alliance lounges - in Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and Rome.

The website can be found here www.staralliance.com/en/about

The full list of current members is as follows, with their frequent flyer scheme noted.

Aegean Airlines (Miles + Bonus), Air Canada (Aeroplan), Air China (Phoenix Miles), Air India (Flying Returns), Air New Zealand (Airpoints), All Nippon Airways (ANA Mileage Club), Asiana Airlines (Asiana Club), Austrian Airlines (Miles & More), Avianca (Life Miles), Brussels Airlines (Miles & More), Copa Airlines (Connect Miles), Croatia Airlines (Miles & More), Egyptair (Egyptair Plus), Ethiopian Airlines (Sheba Miles), Eva Air (Infinity Mileage Lands), LOT Polish Airlines (Miles & More), Lufthansa (Miles & More), Scandinavian Airlines (Euro Bonus), Shenzhen Airlines (Phoenix Miles), Singapore Airlines (Kris Flyer), South African Airways (SAA Voyager), Swiss International Air Lines (Miles & More), TAP Air Portugal (TAP Miles & Go), Thai Airways International (Royal Orchid Plus), Turkish Airlines (Miles & Smiles), United Airlines (Mileage Plus).