Star Alliance will launch a new credit card, but this time there won’t be an airline on the front of it, according to their CEO.
Speaking to reporters on May 12, 2022, Jeffrey Goh, the CEO of Star Alliance – the airline group, which counts Air Canada, Lufthansa, and United Airlines among its 26 member carriers – announced that the group has plans to launch a new Star Alliance credit card.
However, unlike previous credit cards which feature their airline loyalty brands, such as Aeroplan, plastered on the surface, this credit card will feature a yet-to-be-named European non-airline transport partner and will be available in a single market (at least, at first).
“You will spend on your credit card and collect points. Those points are convertible to miles on the frequent flyer program of your choice,” Goh said. “If we are successful we will be rolling it out to the next market in the course of the year.”
The card will launch later this year and will compete with other travel rewards cards offered by Star Alliance’s own partner airlines in a move being called an industry-first.
This is because there is currently no card on the market where cardholders can transfer their points into up to 26 airline frequent flyer programs and take advantage of any promotions or point values that may apply. (There is the
Sure, cards with points that can be transferred into airline loyalty programs do currently exist (the
There’s no word yet on the rewards, features, or fees associated with the card. However, in the meantime, let’s take a look at some of the leading credit cards currently available from Star Alliance’s airline partners, as well as the competing alternatives.
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Best way to transfer points to miles
Before we get into the Star Alliance partners themselves, we have to absolutely recommend a rewards program where you can transfer points and turn them into miles at a very rewarding ratio of 3:1.
The
In addition, it gives you 25% more miles to boost your points every time you transfer 60,000 of them. I mean this is a total no-brainer.
Meanwhile, 50,000 bonus points (terms) after spending $1,500 in the first 3 months on a welcome bonus is a lot of points and you’re not spending a lot. The value of this offer alone is $485, so why wouldn’t you take advantage?
Other benefits include:
- A free hotel night on your card’s anniversary every year (worth up to 35,000 points),
- Automatic Silver Elite status with your credit card, plus Gold Elite status when you spend $30,000 annually, and
- 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year – use these towards advancing to the next level of Elite status.
There’s more where that came from, but those are some of our favourites.
In terms of earning points, here’s how it will look for you:
- 5 points per $1 spent at Marriott properties
- 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
That’s pretty awesome and honestly, there aren’t actual drawbacks to find. There is a $120 annual fee, but a lot of the other cards below come with that and this one provides more value. Plus, you won’t have to worry about any sky-high income requirements.
Best credit card for earning Aeroplan points
The
It offers 40,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months and spending $1,000 in month 13. Pretty good, right? Those points are worth up to $800.
As far as how you earn Aeroplan points on the regular, here are how the rewards break down:
- 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada
- 1.5 points per $1 spent on restaurants
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Plus if you’re an Uber Eats fan, you’re in luck. Eligible cardmembers get a free Uber Pass membership for 12 months, including unlimited $0 delivery fee on eligible restaurant orders of $15 or more, 5% off eligible restaurant orders over $15 and exclusive Rides Perks, which are Uber travel discounts.
The card carries a $120 annual fee, but no income requirements.
Best credit card overall for a Star Alliance airline loyalty program
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Finally, though it doesn’t collect Aeroplan points directly, the
Here’s how the rewards that you get shake out if you’re so lucky as to have this card:
- 5 points per $1 spent on eligible groceries and restaurants (up tp $2,500 spent per month)
- 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming services
- 2 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit, and ride share purchases
- 1 point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
As you can see, the reward for the two main food expenditures is pretty massive. Meanwhile, here’s the welcome bonus: 15,000 points after spending $750 every month for the first year
There’s a ton to like with this card and it carries no income requirements, just an annual fee of $191.88, but with so many rewards and the versatility you can employ when redeeming points, it more than earns that back.
Best Star Alliance Alternative
The
It offers the following rewards for cardholders:
- 3 Avios per $1 spent on British Airways and BA Holidays
- 2 Avios per $1 spent on restaurants
- 1 Avios per $1 spent on all other purchases
It basically breaks down the same way the Aeroplan co-branded card does, but this time, you earn more when you use British Airways. For example, you will collect double Avios when you shop with British Airways and BA Holidays.
Avios is RBC’s travel loyalty program so if you collect those points, you’re in luck here.
The welcome bonus is no slouch since you can earn 60,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months and $5,000 in months 4-6. It breaks down as 15,000 points on approval and 35,000 when you follow the welcome offer criteria.
Other benefits include a Companion Award eVoucher when you spend $30,000 CAD annually – perfect for bringing mum home for tea.
The annual fee is $165 and since this is a Visa Infinite card, you need $60,000 in personal income and $100,000 in household income.
Your turn
What do you think of this new unnamed Star Alliance credit card?
Do you think that it could find the perfect home in your wallet?
Let us know in the comments below!
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