Upgrades for Star travellers

Travellers flying with United Airlines will from July 24th be able to upgrade their journeys on scheduled flights with participating Star Alliance member carriers.

Airline customers will now be able to redeem miles or points from their frequent flyer accounts to upgrade one class, either from economy to business, or business to first class.

The introduction of the Star Alliance upgrade awards makes United Airlines the ninth Star Alliance member to offer this frequent flyer programme.

Graham Atkinson, senior vice president of worldwide sales and alliances at United, said: "Participation in Star Alliance Upgrade Awards greatly enhances the benefits our Mileage Plus programme offers United frequent fliers.

"Our customers can now upgrade on other Star Alliance member airlines using miles from their United Mileage Plus account. This is a benefit our customers have told us they want and it can only be achieved through United's membership in Star Alliance."

Upgrades can only be made on confirmed bookings made in advance of travel which can then be upgraded through the usual channels, either online or by calling reservations.

The Star Alliance network, which was established in 1997, offers daily flights to 842 destinations in 152 countries.

• British Airways boss underlines Heathrow Airport importance
• Emirates completes move to new terminal in Dubai
• United Airlines to resume flights from London to Denver
• British Airways strikes inflight entertainment deal
• Tunarama Festival to attract visitors to Australia
• Paphos Airport gets off to good start
• British Airways fliers to "breeze" through JFK
• Winter season underway in Austria
• Ski slopes opening in Alberta
• Air Berlin launches new flights from Stansted Airport