Star Alliance has become the first alliance to offer upgrade redemption option across the alliance, rather than on individual carrier basis.

The option is now available to the members of All Nippon Airways (ANA Mileage Club), Austrian (Miles & More), LOT Polish Airlines (Miles & More), Lufthansa (Miles & More) and Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer). The other Star Alliance carriers, including Scandinavian Airlines, will begin to offer the product during 2006.

Star Alliance Upgrade Awards permit customers to redeem miles or points from their frequent flyer account to upgrade by one class, either from economy class to business class or from business class to first class, on scheduled flights operated by participating member carriers.

Star Alliance Upgrade Awards require a confirmed booking prior to travel through the existing redemption channels — in general either a call center or a Web site (depending on carrier’s offer). The upgrade is processed electronically through the computer reservations system, eliminating the need to issue paper certificates to members. Both conventional paper tickets as well as electronic tickets can be upgraded under the new program.

As with most award redemptions, capacity restrictions apply and upgrades from certain types of fares are not permissible.