Air New Zealand and SAS are new Star Alliance Upgrade Award partners. Learn more about how you can redeem miles for upgrades on other participating Star Alliance carriers.
Redeem your Mileage Plus miles for upgrade awards on Star Alliance carriers As a valued Mileage Plus® member you can redeem the miles you’ve earned for upgrade awards on many of our Star AllianceTM partners. Redeem your Mileage Plus miles for a one segment, one cabin upgrade on flights operated by participating Star Alliance carriers. Arrive at the airport relaxed and ready to enjoy all the benefits of the upgrade, from priority check-in and lounge access to a more personal level of service onboard. Upgrades are based on the availability of the operating carrier. See the list of participating airlines
Frequently Asked Questions
With new Star Alliance Upgrade Awards, you can enjoy:
One segment, one cabin upgrades from eligible fares to the next class of service
The convenience of electronic upgrades, eliminating the need for paper certificates
Confirmed upgrade seating in advance (based on the availability of the operating carrier)
Requests can be made after you have purchased your ticket, but must be made at least 24 hours prior to departure to allow for the partner carrier to respond to the upgrade request. To request an upgrade award call United Reservations directly. In the United States call 1-800-241-6522. For a list of numbers to United’s International Reservations offices visit United worldwide contacts+. +Star Alliance Upgrade Awards are not available through general selling agents.
Participating Star Alliance partners
ANA
Air China
Air New Zealand
Asiana
Austrian
LOT Polish Airlines
Lufthansa
SAS
Shanghai Airlines
SWISS
TAP Portugal
THAI
Turkish Airlines
Additional Star Alliance member airlines will be added in the future.
Discontinuation of Lufthansa Paper Certificate Mileage Upgrade Awards
As of July 1, 2009 paper certificates for mileage upgrades on Lufthansa are no longer being issued. Certificates that were issued on or before June 30, 2009 under this program will be valid for travel for one year from the date of issuance.
Systemwide Upgrades may still be exchanged for paper certificates that can be used on Lufthansa operated flights. For more information, visit Systemwide Upgrades.
Star Alliance Upgrade Award quick reference guide
Upgrade availability
Upgrade seats are dependent on each carrier's upgrade availability and may not be available on all flights.
Valid carrier
Star Alliance Upgrade Awards are valid on participating carriers only. See above for an updated list. Only flights marketed and operated by the same airline are permitted.
Valid travel regions and miles required
Required mileage amounts vary depending on your origin and destination and booking class. See Star Alliance Upgrade Award chart (21 KB) for details.
All upgrades are for one segment.
Upgradeable
booking classes
• Business class (C,D) • Economy class (Y,B)
Upgrades are also valid from the following booking classes on select carriers: - ANA (J, Z and E class) - Lufthansa (J class) - SAS (S class)
Upgrade service classes
• Economy to Business (on carriers that offer only Economy and Business cabins on two cabin aircraft) • Economy to First (on carriers that have only Economy and First cabins on two cabin aircraft) • Business to First (on carriers that have three cabin aircraft) * Double upgrades from Economy to First are not permitted on three cabin aircraft.
Non-upgradeable booking classes and tickets
• Only those booking classes listed above are upgradeable • Award and free tickets • Tickets purchased through Priceline and Hotwire, where the airline is not disclosed until after payment
Blackout dates
Some carriers may impose blackout periods where upgrades are not permitted
Requesting an upgrade
Call United Reservations no later than 24 hours before departure and provide your travel details on the partner airline. In the United States, call 1-800-241-6522. For a list of numbers for United’s International Reservations offices visit United worldwide contacts+.
Requests may be made beginning 331 days before departure on most carriers. For travel on:
ANA requests may be made 56 days before departure
Air New Zealand requests may be made 28 days before departure
Shanghai requests may be made up to 30 days before departure. +Star Alliance Upgrade Awards are not available through general selling agents.
Sponsoring upgrade for another traveler
You may redeem miles to sponsor a Star Alliance Upgrade Award for up to three other family members sharing your last name and who are traveling with you.
Mileage accrual
Miles earned will be based on the original ticketed booking class, not the upgraded class of service.
