Star Alliance 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.
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