Taiwan’s EVA Air will formally join the Star Alliance network today, joining the likes of Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, United and Air New Zealand in the world’s largest airline alliance.
Travellers on EVA flights will enjoy reciprocal access to the airport lounges of its new Star siblings, along with other perks such as priority checkin,preferred seating and extra luggage allowance, plus point-sharing through EVA’s Evergreen Club and the frequent flyer schemes of other Star members.
EVA is Taiwan’s second-largest carrier behind China Airlines, which last year signed up with the SkyTeam alliance. The airline counts Brisbane as its sole Australian port, with twice-weekly flights between Brisbane and Taipei.
EVA Evergreen Club status with Star Alliance
Here’s how the Infinity MileageLands status levels of EVA Air’s Evergreen Club frequent flyer program stack up against the standard Star Alliance status tiers:
- Infinity MileageLands Diamond = Star Alliance Gold
- Infinity MileageLands Gold = Star Alliance Gold
- Infinity MileageLands Silver = Star Alliance Silver
- Infinity MileageLands Green = nothing
As you can see, EVA’s top two tiers are both equal in the eyes of Star, which will keep the airline’s Gold card-holders happy.
Star Alliance Silver doesn’t give you much across the entire alliance family, with only priority reservations waitlisting and priority airport standby.
Star Alliance Gold cardholders, by contrast, wallow in a raft of benefits: priority reservations waitlisting, airport standby, check-in, boarding and baggage, plus extra luggage allowance (20kg or one extra bag), and access to Star Alliance Gold lounges.
There are a few variation here: some airlines (usually those based in the US) also offer preferred seating, guaranteed seats and free upgrades, while United and US Airways only give out lounge access to long-haul international travellers.
Read: Fast-track your status: get Star Alliance Gold with just one flight
Star’s growing footprint
Star Alliance is the largest of the three global airline networks, with 27 airlines already on board, although it noticeably lacks an Australian partner – a gap which many would like to see Virgin Australia fill.
Several international Star Alliance members are active in the Australian skies, however, with two of these – Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines – affiliated with Virgin Australia.
Australian Business Traveller is attending the EVA Air / Star Alliance media event in Taipei as a guest of Star Alliance.
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About David Flynn
David Flynn is the editor of Australian Business Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Email: david@ausbt.com.au
Twitter: @djsflynn
EVA Airways joins Star Alliance: what you need to know
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