Summary Star Alliance, formed in 1997, is the largest airline alliance. MileagePlus offers benefits with non-Star Alliance carriers, such as Aer Lingus. Other non-member airlines such as Azul and Emirates also provide perks for MileagePlus members.
United Airlines was one of the founding airlines of Star Alliance, together with Scandinavian Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Thai Airways International. The alliance was established on May 14th, 1997, making it the first of its kind in the industry, with its five-point star logo representing the five founding airlines. Today, Star Alliance is the largest airline alliance in the world by market share, followed by SkyTeam and oneworld.
Star Alliance currently boasts 26 full member airlines and 41 affiliate airlines. The most recent carriers to join Star Alliance were: Air India - July 2014 EVA Air - June 2013 Shenzhen Airlines - November 2012 avianca - June 2012. United Airlines' loyalty program, MileagePlus, provides benefits to those traveling on the airline itself, in addition to Star Alliance's 26 member airlines.
The program also has partnerships with a number of non-Star Alliance members - which carriers are these, and what benefits do they bring for MileagePlus members? Aer Lingus From its hub at Dublin Airport (DUB), Aer Lingus connects Ireland to more than 90 destinations across Europe and North America. The carrier also has a mini transatlantic hub at Manchester Airport (MAN), serving New York (JFK), Orlando (MCO), and Barbados (BGI). Aer Lingus operates an all-Airbus fleet, and regularly deploys its A321neos across the Atlantic.
When it comes to MileagePlus award travel on Aer Lingus, this can be booked on United Airlines' website. To earn miles when traveling with Aer Lingus, MileagePlus members must enter their membership number when booking, and ensure that it appears on their boarding pass when they have checked in. Services will operate thrice weekly with convenient connections from the UK and Europe.
For ticket numbers starting in 016, the number of award miles ranges from 5-11 x the fare paid, depending on the member's status level within MileagePlus. For ticket numbers not starting with 016, the award miles depend on the type of ticket purchased, reaching up to 100% for a full-fare business class ticket. Airlink The regional airlines based at Johannesburg O.
R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) was previously part of a strategic alliance with the national carrier, South African Airways until 2006. Coincidentally, it was in 2006 that South African Airways joined Star Alliance, so had the partnership continued, Airlink would have likely become an affiliate member.
Today, Airlink operates a fleet of 65 Embraer aircraft to more than 45 destinations. United Airlines flies to Johannesburg from Newark (EWR) and to Cape Town from Newark (EWR) and Washington, DC (IAD), providing connections to Airlink's services across Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean. If booking flights with Airlink, MileagePlus members can enter their membership number at the booking stage to ensure that the associated miles are accumulated.
For tickets not starting with 016, award miles can reach up to 125% for a full-fare business class ticket. All five airlines were established in South Africa. Azul Linhas Aéreas The Brazilian carrier serves over 100 destinations across South America, in addition to a handful of routes to Europe and the US.
MileagePlue members can earn award miles when traveling on qualifying flights operated by Azul. As with Aer Lingus and Airlink, for tickets numbers beginning with 016, the number of award miles earned is based on the fare paid, and depends on the member's status, ranging from 5 x the fare paid for basic members to 11 x the fare paid for Premier 1K. In addition to earning miles, MileagePlus members with Premier Gold, Premier Platinum, or Premier 1K status are also entitled to the following benefits on Azul-operated flights: Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage delivery One additional complimentary checked bag Access to the Azul lounge at São Paulo's Viracopos International Airport (VCP).
Emirates United Airlines connects Dubai (DXB) with its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and MileagePlus members traveling on this daily service can earn miles for connecting flights on Emirates on selected routes across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. When it comes to award miles, these can reach up to 150% for a first class ticket, and members even earn 10% award miles for the cheapest Economy Special ticket. Meanwhile, a premium economy ticket will earn 110%.
In the recent Airline Ratings Excellence Awards, Emirates won Best Premium Economy product in the world. Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian Airlines is by far the largest carrier in the state of Hawaii, commanding a 46% market share at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).
MileagePlus members can earn award miles when traveling with Hawaiian Airlines, providing certain conditions are met; they must be flying on an interisland flight that has been booked as a codeshare with a United Airlines flight number. Although not generally deployed on interisland flights, Hawaiian Airlines has been busy showing off its new Boeing 787-9 aircraft in recent months. Vistara Vistara was founded in 2015, and the carrier's primary hub is located at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
United Airlines currently flies to Delhi from Newark (EWR) and also plans to resume services from its Chicago (ORD) hub in March 2025. Vistara flies to more than 50 destinations across India and beyond, including a handful of long-haul services with its Boeing 787s. MileagePlus members can earn up to 125% award miles when traveling on a Business flex ticket with Vistara, going down to 25% for an Economy super saver ticket.
Other non-Star Alliance partner airlines The other non-Star Alliance member airlines offering benefits to MileagePlus members are: Boutique Air Cape Air Discover Airlines Eurowings flydubai JSX Silver Airways Virgin Australia. Full details of the above partnerships can be found on United Airlines' website. United Airlines has also teamed up with Chinese carrier Juneyao Air as a Star Alliance Connecting Partner.
This means that passengers traveling on a booking which includes a connection between a Star Alliance member airline and Juneyao Air will enjoy benefits such as passenger and baggage through check-in. MileagePlus members can also earn and redeem miles when flying with Juneyao Air. From upgrades to magazine subscriptions.
Six clever suggestions are here to make the most of your miles..
