The Star Alliance has expanded its upgrade awards product to include flights operated by Asiana Airlines, TAP Portugal and THAI Airways.

The Star Alliance is the first global airline alliance to offer such a redemption option, which is now available to the members of ANA (ANA Mileage Club), Asiana Airlines (Asiana Club), Austrian (Miles & More), LOT Polish Airlines (Miles & More), Lufthansa (Miles & More), Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer), TAP Portugal (Victoria) and THAI (Royal Orchid Plus). Further Star Alliance member carriers will begin to offer the product during 2006.

Star Alliance upgrade awards enable customers to redeem miles or points from to upgrade by one class, either from economy class to business class or from business class to first class on scheduled flights operated by the participating member carriers.

Upgrade awards require a confirmed booking prior to travel through the existing redemption channels — either a call center or a Web site (depending on carrier’s offer). The upgrade is processed electronically through the computer reservations system. Both conventional paper tickets and electronic tickets can be upgraded under the new program. As with most redemptions, capacity restrictions apply and upgrades from certain types of fares are not permissible.