Star Alliance Upgrade Awards available on Three Additional Carriers

BANGKOK: -- Star Alliance has expanded its Upgrade Awards product to include flights operated by Asiana Airlines, TAP Portugal and Thai Airways International.

Star Alliance Upgrade Awards enables 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 (where available), on scheduled flights operated by the participating member carriers.

“We have seen an ever increasing number of FFP members making use of this redemption option since its launch in September 2005,” said Jaan Albrecht, CEO Star Alliance. “With three additional member carriers now offering Star Alliance Upgrade Awards, we have an even more attractive and unrivalled product in the market.”

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.

It should be noted that Upgrade Awards are currently not available between Singapore Airlines and Asiana Airlines as well as between Singapore Airlines and TAP.

--Asiatraveltips.com 2006-05-18

upgrades from certain types of fares are not permissible.

Ahhh the caveat!!!

I'm not 100% certain but I believe that on TG a Y or B fare (the most expensive economy fares) is required, and for business to first a C or maybe a D fare. The mileage requirements vary by partner program but are quite steep. Say 50,000 SQ/KF or LH M&M miles to upgrade a TG Y/B flight for BKK-LHR. Arranging the upgrades will prove challenging, at first anyway.

TG Booking Classes:

FC : FAPZ O

BC : CDRJL I

E+ : U

EC : YBMHQNVWSTGK X

O, I, X are award classes.

E+ is offered on the BKK-LAX/JFL non-stops (A345-500)

TG routinely sells upgrades at check-in/gate, for most fare classes, and for less than the price difference up to a Y/B, so this program may not have that much appeal?