Press Release 2004

Star Alliance launches new scheme to reward UK and Ireland small and medium enterprises

Star Alliance, the airline network for Earth™, has today launched an online loyalty programme, Star Alliance Company Plus, aimed at small and medium enterprises (SME’s) in the UK and Ireland. It is the first time a major global airline alliance has operated such a scheme in these markets.

The introduction of this corporate incentive scheme offers rewards, which are significantly more generous than other programmes currently available, enabling companies to make savings on their travel budget whilst their employees earn individual frequent flyer points.

“In addition to Star Alliance Corporate Plus, which we already have in place for multinational organisations, we can now also offer a competitive product to customers who do not travel as much as a ‘global blue chip”, said Kam Jandu, Director Sales, Star Alliance.

The new scheme offers 24 hour online access, which enables companies to log on to view their statement of points and choose from rewards including:
• Free flights
• Cashback
• Free upgrades

Once the account is up and running, points will be awarded on First and Business Class, Economy Flexible and Economy Restricted fares. Points can be accumulated flying with ANA, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines and United. More Star Alliance member carriers are set to join the programme early in 2005.
 
The participating member carriers are also offering double points for qualifying flights taken up to the end of March 2005.  Customers can obtain further information by visiting: www.staralliancecompanyplus.com

SME’s have welcomed the benefits of an online programme that can be self-managed and which rewards companies whose travel spend usually does not allow them to negotiate preferred terms. To automatically collect points for each flight, a company enters its credit card details. Alternatively, they can enter their ticket numbers and the points will be tracked.

Welcoming the new scheme, Frances Flemming, Director of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The introduction of Star Alliance Company Plus is beneficial to small businesses in the UK. It allows them to reduce their travel costs and provides rewards for them and their employees travelling on the Star Alliance network.  It is a travel programme that really seeks to meet the needs of small and medium enterprises in the UK.”

Commenting on the new programme, Andrew Bunn, UK Sales Manager for Lufthansa said: “Star Alliance Company Plus is the first programme to give rewards to companies that book through online channels as well as through travel agencies, while at the same time offering small businesses in the UK and Ireland access to a global route network.”

The Star Alliance Company Plus programme is set to expand to other markets, including the US.

Star Alliance was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers global reach and a smooth travel experience. The members are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, Thai Airways International, United, US Airways and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. South African Airways and TAP Air Portugal are scheduled to join the alliance in 2005. Overall, the member carriers offer more than 14,000 daily flights to 772 destinations in 133 countries.

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