Air India finally cleared to join Star Alliance on 11th July
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After an incredibly long and painful process, Air India has finally been cleared to join Star Alliance. It has only taken seven years from their initial application …..
During that seven years, Air India has been through a turbulent time. It is now only the third largest India airline (after Jet and IndiGo) and remains wholly owned by the Government.
After six consecutive years of losses, it finally returned to profit in the year to March 2013. At one point in 2011 the airline had actually stopped paying salaries, so dire was its financial position.
The expected joining date is July 11th. You will be able to earn and redeem Star Alliance miles on Air India from that date.
From a fleet point of view, Air India is not a bad proposition – most of its European routes including Heathrow are now flown with the brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliners (photo below). It will eventually own 27 of the aircraft.
Air India will become the 27th member of Star Alliance. Despite losing TAM and US Airways this year, it still has almost twice as many airline members as oneworld.
Air India adds 35 new airports to the Star Alliance. Interestingly, Air India has stated that it expects to increase its revenues by 4%-5% through its membership of the alliance. This is the first time that I have ever seen an airline put a hard number on their expected alliance benefits.
You can read the full press release on the Star Alliance website here.
Since there are many Head for Points readers who use Air India to visit family and may now be looking for a good Star Alliance frequent flyer programme, I will run through some of the options tomorrow.
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How to earn Star Alliance miles from UK credit cards (February 2025)
None of the Star Alliance airlines currently have a UK credit card.
There is, however, still a way to earn Star Alliance miles from a UK credit card.
The route is via Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty points convert to over 40 airlines at the rate of 3:1.
The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is via the official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card. It comes with 20,000 points for signing up and 2 points for every £1 you spend. At 2 Bonvoy points per £1, you are earning (at 3:1) 0.66 airline miles per £1 spent on the card.
There is a preferential conversion rate to United Airlines – which is a Star Alliance member – of 2 : 1 if you convert 60,000 Bonvoy points at once.
The Star Alliance members which are Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners are: Aegean, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines.
You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express
20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review
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