Airline Alliances

I originally booked a flight with Lufthansa from Hyderabad to Dallas (HYD → FRA → DFW), but it was cancelled due to pilot strikes. I was then rerouted via Air India (HYD → DEL → SFO), with the final leg from SFO → DFW on American Airlines. What surprised me is that instead of...

I had a business class itinerary from Washington Dulles Airport to Addis Ababa via Ethiopian Airlines, booked under a single confirmation that also included an economy segment from Newark. Based on existing guidance, this should have qualified me for United Polaris Lounge access...

I’m trying to understand how co-branded credit cards work, specifically with Flying Blue, and whether it’s worth applying. If I use a Flying Blue credit card to book flights for family members but I’m not traveling with them, do I earn any bonus (accelerated) miles? Or would I...

Wasn’t JX applying for OW membership a while ago?

I frequently travel internationally and have noticed ongoing issues when booking flights through Delta Air Lines. When searching for routes, Delta often does not display the full range of SkyTeam partner options, even when those itineraries are cheaper, faster, or more...

Flying LAX to CPH soon on SAS economy with Eurobonus Gold and trying to figure out lounge access. App only shows the Air France lounge, but since Gold = SkyTeam Elite Plus, I’m wondering if Delta Sky Club or even Virgin/Korean lounges are options too. LAX lounge access always...

Currently switching from BA Gold Guest List to Lufthansa. Did the €99 status match to Senator and should be set with SEN until 2028. If I really commit to Lufthansa Group and take some less convenient routings, I could probably hit HON this year. I get the published perks, but...

I’m scheduled to board the Star Princess in Fort Lauderdale on March 14 and just received an email saying there’s been an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness onboard. They also said boarding will be delayed so they can do a deep clean of the ship. Is anyone currently on the...

Someone asked an interesting question about lounge access at SYD. They’re flying Sydney to Hong Kong on a Lufthansa codeshare operated by Cathay Pacific, booked in economy, and they have Lufthansa Senator status. The confusion is whether that status gives lounge access in Sydney...

Last October I flew ITA business class NCE–FCO–AMS round trip. The flights were after ITA stopped earning XP with Flying Blue, but I purchased the tickets before the official announcement that ITA would leave SkyTeam. At the time of booking, those flights were expected to earn...

Currently BA Silver and will requalify, but looking at chasing OW Emerald via Finnair Plus instead. I’ve got a D class RTW ticket issued by BA starting in April. Plan is to credit to Finnair Plus, but I’m holding off officially joining for timing reasons around the last long...

Ever since the move to SkyTeam, trying to use awards has been painful. With Star Alliance it wasn’t always easy, but this feels like a different level. Availability is bad, pricing is all over the place, and you can’t even change bookings online. I spent 30 minutes on the phone...

Just watched a guy on FRA to DUS try to parade his whole family on early because he’s 1K… on Lufthansa. Gate agent had to tell him twice that Star Alliance Gold doesn’t mean “pre board with the gods.” First when he tried to pre board, then again when he tried to jump into Group...

Flying Incheon to Copenhagen in business and noticed the SAS app doesn’t show lounge access for the ICN departure. On the SAS website it says they have a partner lounge in Incheon T2, so I assumed business class would include access. Interestingly, my CPH to ICN flight does show...

I’m Delta Platinum Medallion and looking at BOS to CPH. It’s a lot cheaper booking directly through SAS than Delta. If I book through SAS, how do I make sure my SkyTeam status shows up? Do I just enter my Delta SkyMiles number in the reservation? Also, will I still earn...

I moved my earning to Malaysia Airlines Enrich since I’m Asia based and mostly fly economy. Goal was oneworld Sapphire. So far I’ve done 5 flights. Only 1 credited. The other 4 are missing, including 2 MH operated flights. Filed missing claims over a month ago. Still nothing....

Quick question for anyone who has done this recently. If you are SAS Gold and flying economy from CPH to Asia on a Singapore Airlines flight number, do you still get lounge access? This used to be straightforward before the SkyTeam change, but I am not sure how it works now....

My wife and I fly US–UK 3–4 times a year. Usually business one way, economy back. For the last six years that’s comfortably kept us at Silver without trying too hard. We’re not mileage runners, just steady transatlantic customers who occasionally splurge. With the move to...

Kind of surprised that on the new 787s, Alaska doesn’t have a real Premium Economy cabin like AA, BA, and other oneworld partners do. Feels like a miss, especially for long-haul. Main Cabin Extra style seating just isn’t the same as proper Premium Economy with a wider seat and...

I booked JFK to Brussels via Copenhagen with a 50 minute layover. Carry on only, figured I’d gamble. Outbound actually worked. We landed only about 5 minutes late and I made it, but I could see how immigration lines could easily mess that up on a busier morning. Return was a...

You’re reading it correctly. On intercontinental routes, Star Alliance Gold gets 1 free checked bag even on Economy Light with Lufthansa and SWISS. It’s a status benefit layered on top of the fare. The key parts: It applies on intercontinental segments. It usually must be added...

Saw this and honestly kind of wild if it keeps working. The idea that you can grab OW Sapphire just by getting the Qatar Club Infinite card feels like a loophole that shouldn’t exist. $499 AF, big Avios bonus that basically offsets it, and suddenly you’re walking into AA...

Flying out of Hong Kong on Cathay in a few days. I have oneworld Emerald, which normally gets me plus one guest into the lounge. The problem is I’m traveling with my partner and our 2 year old, and the child now counts as a guest. On the outbound we tried our luck and were...