Airline Alliances

When selecting a frequent flyer program, airline alliances are something else to consider. The ability to schedule seamless travel is important -- airline alliances help make it possible. An alliance is a business relationship, often between U.S. domestic carriers and foreign ones. Its purpose is to allow foreign carriers access to the U.S. market and domestic carriers a means of access to "beyond-Europe" centers. The goal of alliance growth is twofold:
  • To offer global coverage
  • To carry passengers around the world using ONLY their carriers
Examples include American Airlines allied with British Airways (One World), and United allied with Lufthansa. Airlines code share so that travel can be organized to flow from one carrier to the other. Code sharing is the industry practice in which an airline puts its code on a flight operated by another carrier. The airline then sells and issues tickets for the flight. For example, American may place its code on a flight that British Airways operates and then sell it to the customer. This is how air carriers get around restrictions to expand their market presence. In today's global economy, this truly benefits the frequent traveler.

British Airways planes
Photo courtesy British Airways
American Airlines and British Airways have formed an airline alliance.

When you travel using alliance carriers, the miles are credited and can be used interchangeably. This allows rapid accrual of miles so you can reach elite status quickly and receive the extra awards at that level.

We'll look at how to redeem your miles in the next section.

Elite Status
Elite status is a division of the awards programs that separates the frequent traveler from everyone else. In order to achieve this status, a customer must clock 25,000 frequent flyer miles. With elite status, you will earn the greatest number of miles, points and/or privileges. But it is also stratified -- the three levels of elite status are silver, gold and platinum. Each subsequent level requires more mileage (and thus, more paid business for the airline). Elite status provides a wide range of benefits, such as preferred boarding, lounges, gratis miles added to the regular number usually awarded, etc.

Within the levels of elite status, there are three tiers of upgrades. These benefits are rewards in addition to those listed above. On the first tier, a customer may receive a free upgrade and/or bonus miles. As you enter this level of status, you should review: the minimum number of miles required to upgrade, and what mileage threshold is required to receive a bonus. Second-tier consumers may receive unlimited domestic and some international upgrades along with lucrative mileage bonuses. Top-tier members qualify for the works. Awards include companion tickets, international flights, lounge privileges and, as in the case of Air Canada, no blackout dates.

Keep in mind that not all elite programs are created equal. Each year, WebFlyer reviews all the frequent flyer programs, rates them, and declares a top program. If you are looking for the best all-around program to enroll in, this is the place to check.