Updated Star Alliance Airline list

It's been a while since I challenged myself to see whether I could fly on most, if not all, Star Alliance airlines.  I've made some progress though I still have a ways to go!

Here's my updated list:

• Aegean Airlines A3
• Air Canada AC
• Air China CA
• Air India
• Air New Zealand NZ
• ANA NH
• Asiana Airlines OZ
• Austrian OS
• Avianca AV, TACA Airlines TA
• Brussels Airlines 
• Copa Airlines CM
• Croatia Airlines OU
• EGYPTAIR MS
• Ethiopian Airlines ET
• EVA Air
• LOT Polish Airlines LO
• Lufthansa LH
• Scandinavian Airlines SK
• Shenzhen Airlines ZH
• Singapore Airlines SQ
• South African Airways SA
• Swiss LX
• TAP Portugal TP
• THAI TG
• Turkish Airlines TK
• United UA

Adria ceased operations some years ago and SAS just announced they would likely be leaving Star Alliance for OneWorld.  I'm hoping to have more opportunities to fly on these partners soon.  

New United Promotion In-App

I was surprised to discover a new United promotion in-app this week while I was reviewing upcoming trip details.  A banner appeared with information about fall travel and the ability to earn up to 50,000 bonus miles on flights to Europe in economy:

Bonus miles are awarded at 5x the fare in addition your regular miles earned by status - meaning a 1K earning 11x miles will actually earn 16x miles for the flights.  That's a nice bonus!

Curiously the only cities noted for this promotion are London, Amsterdam, and Paris - maybe there are low travel trends to those cities?

The promotion expires 12/13/23. 

Review: Plaza Premium Lounge YVR

During my return to the US from the International Leadership Association Global Conference in Vancouver, I had the opportunity to visit the Plaza Premium Lounge located in the International Terminal at YVR airport.  Unfortunately there are no United Club's, and the only Star Alliance Lounge was for Air Canada at some distance from my assigned gate.  

The Plaza Premium Lounge is accessible via Priority Pass - if you already have a membership, have your card ready to scan.  

The lounge is not large and was quite busy when I arrived.  Near departure it was almost standing room only.  Both hot/cold food options are available - they ran out of the hot food and plates at one point and some patiently waited for the refresh.

  

There are not many restrooms in this lounge - additional locations are near the gates.  

This was a serviceable lounge prior to departure, though I wouldn't recommend a long stay.

Hyatt 4th Quarter Promotion: Bonus Journeys

Bonus Journeys is back!

Hyatt's 4th Quarter promo is now active:

You can earn 3,000 Bonus Points for every three qualifying nights, up to 21 nights, at 1,250+ hotels worldwide across 25+ brands—including participating Andaz, Dream Hotels, JdV by Hyatt, Park Hyatt, Thompson Hotels and more. ​

​Plus, as a World of Hyatt Credit Cardmember, you can earn an additional 1,000 Bonus Points when those nights are at 550+ participating hotels worldwide.​

​Register by November 10, 2023, and complete your qualifying nights between October 6 and November 30, 2023, to start earning. ​

4th Quarter 2023 Chase Bonuses

I always look forward to the new quarter which means new Chase Freedom bonus earning categories: 

The fall quarter has the following for purchases:

• PayPal
• Wholesale Clubs
• Select Charities

Unfortunately I won't make use of most of these.  However, if you have a vendor that accepts Paypal for purchases you can leverage the that category for 5x points.  Airlines such as United and American do accept Paypal for flight purchases.  Amazon, however, does not accept Paypal for payments.  

Ready for October!

I'm not sure if anyone else felt this way, but September seemed to be an expanded month - I'm so glad that October is here.  And for me that also means travel opportunities are back on the docket!  I have a number of trips planned this month include a brief run to Zurich, attending and Chairing a session at the International Leadership Conference in Vancouver, and a trip home for a Confirmation celebration.  

See you in flight!