New United Airlines program not right for you? Here are three other Star Alliance partners that may make sense
United Airlines made waves last month after announcing some pretty radical changes to its MileagePlus frequent flyer program, and while it wasn't all bad news, the updates to the program mean that many travelers are getting stiffed on status.
If you're one of those with United Airlines status affected (like me), it may be time to credit your flying elsewhere. Here are three other Star Alliance partners that may make sense for you.
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles is one of the easiest ways to gain Star Alliance Gold status for frequent flyers, as its status-match program offers instant elite status for one full year. To match, you'll need to head over to Turkish Airlines' customer service page and submit a request with proof of your existing airline status. You'll then receive an email that looks like this:
As you can see, you'll need to take at least one international flight with Turkish Airlines to keep your status for a year, though you'll only need to fly an 15,000 additional miles in order to extend your status for another year. 15,000 miles for two years of Star Alliance Gold is a great deal.
Even better, as an elite with Turkish, all your domestic U.S. flights are considered 'foreign' flights, which means you'll have United Club lounge access in the U.S. even when flying locally.
Related: The ultimate guide to United Club access
Turkish Airlines has recently redefined some borders in its award chart, which means that possibly one of the best deals — ever — to get to Hawaii in first class is via Turkish Miles & Smiles.
Egyptair
Egyptair has one of the most lucrative award programs for couples and families traveling together. Why? Because its frequent flyer program, Egyptair Plus, allows you to pool accounts together from a single family to earn both award miles and elite miles credit.
What does this mean, in practice? It means that if you and a partner take a round-trip flight together, you can assign all mileage earnings to a single account and the main account holder will receive the credit for all miles flown, per person.
In order to receive Star Alliance Gold, you'll need 60,000 miles on your primary account. Earning differs according to whether it's operated by Egyptair or a partner, so you'll need to check each chart individually.
One of the best things about elite status with Egytpair Plus is that it's valid for 24 months — and in order to maintain beyond that it you (and your family) only need to fly 30,000 additional miles every two years.
Other bonuses include the same domestic lounge access that Turkish Airlines elites enjoy — United Club access on U.S. domestic flights due to your foreign elite status.
Asiana
Asiana is one of the most undervalued loyalty programs in Star Alliance, offering some pretty sweet spots on award travel. However, what really sets this airline apart is the low threshold for airline elite status — in order to acquire Star Alliance Gold status, you need just 40,000 miles over the course of 24 months.
Even better? Once earned, your status is valid for a full two years, which gives you plenty more time to rack up just 30,000 more miles to keep your status.
The Korean airline has no minimum requirement of flights on its own metal, so it's entirely possible to earn status by flying other Star Alliance airlines (like United) and skipping Asiana altogether — though you might not want to.
Of course, like the above two airlines, Star Alliance Gold status via Asiana also includes lounge access on U.S. domestic flights, since you're technically flying 'internationally'.
Related: The ultimate guide to earning and redeeming Asiana Club miles
Bottom line
If United's changes to its frequent flyer program has hit you hard, it might be time to switch your loyalties. While it can be difficult to figure out which Star Alliance airline is the best place to credit your flying, these three offer generous returns and easy ways to earn and maintain elite status.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees