Comments on: Continental’s Star Alliance Move

By: CF

CF — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:51:27 +0000

sTEVIEd – Good catch, but I’d argue the premise is the same. Foreign mileage earning programs are rarely relevant to US fliers. Aeroplan is potentially more useful to Americans than ANA or Singapore, but you still can’t earn miles domestically. So, if you solely want to use Amex miles for Star tickets, you can, but if you want to combine with miles you’ve earned, then Continental is a big step.

If CO will be allowed access to Economy Plus and upgrades, it might be worth it to flee UA’s program.

By: sTEVIEd

sTEVIEd — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:42:40 +0000

AMEX members have been able to transfer into Air Canada to access Star Alliance for some time now.

By: Dan Webb

Dan Webb — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:03:23 +0000

Greetings from the Liberty of the Seas en route to St. Maarten (and hopefully Maho beach to do some spotting). Thanks for the link to my post!

By: CF

CF — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:43:28 +0000

QRC – I don’t know when oneworld will get someone new, but I think the biggest news would be if they can get a more comprehensive deal between BA and AA going. That would open up a lot of options across the Atlantic. As for Jet, I think they’re playing the field right now. Not sure about China Eastern, but there isn’t anyone else available.

David – Skyteam has Korean and oneworld has JAL/Cathay, so I wouldn’t say they’re a joke. But Star has many more options at this point with Thai/Singapore/ANA/Asiana . . . .

One other interesting thing to note about the thread. A friend of mine reminded me that Amex cardholders will now be able to use their miles in the Star Alliance via Continental. Right now, Singapore and ANA are in the program, but that has to be a small percentage of people using those programs.

By: David SF east bay

David SF east bay — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:32:50 +0000

CO joining Star Alliance will give the other Star members and flyers better access to Latin America and give UA a better chance to compete against American in that market and against Delta out of New York.

I always hear that Oneworld is a better alliance, but I don’t see that since Star has more partners serving more destinations. Oneworld and Skyteam are a joke when it comes to transpacific travel.

By: QRC

QRC — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:12:43 +0000

CF, interested for your point of view: I do probably 60% of my flying on OW…when is OW going to sign up anyone new? It feels for me, at least from my corner of the globe that SA is just taking over everything. Air China is now fully on board. Air India will be soon. Possibly Continental. Any chance OW could sign up someone like China Eastern or Jet Airways?