Star Alliance Won't Be Adding New Elite Tiers After All
Star Alliance is backtracking on plans to introduce up to two new higher elite tiers for members of participating frequent flyer programs. The airline alliance, whose members include Lufthansa, United, and Singapore Airlines among others, announced plans to introduce new elite tiers nearly a year ago at the annual International Air Transport Association (IATA) summit. At this year's conference, Star Alliance outlined plans to improve the alliance's existing elite tiers instead.
In 2018's IATA General Meeting and Air Transport Summit, Star Alliance announced plans to introduce a Platinum and possibly even a Diamond tier in addition to the existing tiers. The 2018 announcement was likely influenced by the lack of benefits, perceived as underwhelming and subpar by the alliance's highest tier frequent flyers.
However, roughly a year after those plans were announced, Star Alliance has now said it will no longer pursue adding additional tiers and will work on making improvements to existing elite tiers.
Star Alliance Elite Status Today
Currently, Star Alliance offers just two elite tiers: Silver and Gold. While Star Alliance does not directly maintain a frequent flyer program, travelers who achieve elite status with a Star Alliance member airline receive reciprocal benefits across the Star Alliance network.
For example, United MileagePlus frequent flyers who achieve Premier Silver status will also receive Star Alliance Silver status. MileagePlus frequent flyers who achieve Premier Gold status or higher receive Star Alliance Gold status.
Here are the benefits elite frequent flyers on Star Alliance receive upon achieving Silver or Gold status:
| Star Alliance Elite Benefits | Star Alliance Silver | Star Alliance Gold |
|---|---|---|
Priority Reservations Waitlist | x | x |
Priority Airport Standby | x | x |
Gold Track (Expedited Airport Experience) | x | |
Extra Baggage Allowance | x | |
Priority Boarding | x | |
Business Class Lounge Access | x | |
Priority Baggage Handling | x | |
Priority Check-In | x |
With just two elite tiers, the difference in elite benefits between the two tiers is substantial. And though Star Alliance Gold flyers receive many great benefits, many upper-tier Star Alliance elites want the airline alliance to add a third tier to differentiate mid-tier frequent flyers from the highest-tier frequent flyers. For example, a traveler with United Premier Gold, the second elite status tier at United, receives the same reciprocal benefits as a someone with United Global Services, the highest elite tier at the airline.
At other airline alliances, like Oneworld, three elite tiers are offered to frequent flyers: Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. Emerald status allows Oneworld member airlines to differentiate mid-tier frequent flyers from upper-tier flyers. Emerald frequent flyers also receive enhanced benefits including access to first class lounges Japan Airlines First Class and Cathay Pacific First Class departure lounges, which comes with amenities such as complimentary spa service.
Potential Improvements to Star Alliance Elite Status
Speaking to the Australian Business Traveller, Star Alliance's Vice President of Customer Experience Christian Draeger elaborated on the alliance's existing elite status tiers, saying, “We're in the middle of a review on this, but it's not only about new benefits: it’s also the extension and the upgrading of existing benefits."
Though Draeger seemed to be focused on the now, he did say that, "it might very well be that (the third tier) will be periodically looked at again. But right now, we’re just really focused on the benefit side.”
One benefit that Star Alliance is actively expanding is the alliance's Gold Track program, which allows Star Alliance Gold flyers to take advantage of an expedited airport experience including at security and immigration. Gold Track is currently available at over 200 airports across the globe.
TPG's JT Genter, who holds Star Alliance Gold status through Asiana Airlines, has this to say about his experience as Star Alliance Gold member versus his experience as a Oneworld Emerald flyer: "Whenever I fly United domestically as a Star Alliance Gold, I'm underwhelmed by the experience. Even moving to a preferred or extra-legroom seat requires a supervisor override. Meanwhile, I've never had an issue on a Oneworld airline getting an upgraded economy seat — even on Fiji Airways, which is just a Oneworld Connect member."
Should Star Alliance add first class lounge access as a benefit for its higher-tier frequent flyers, travelers would be able to access some of the world's most luxurious lounges, such as Lufthansa First Class Lounges, Singapore Airlines' First Class Lounge in Singapore (SIN), SWISS First Class Lounge in Zurich (ZRH), and Thai Airways' Royal First Lounge in Bangkok (BKK).
For now, the dream of new Star Alliance benefits or status is likely still just that: a dream.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.