Best Star Alliance Redemptions
Star Alliance has no shared currency. Avios works across oneworld. Virgin Points cover SkyTeam via Delta. Star Alliance has four completely separate programmes — Aeroplan, Miles & More, KrisFlyer, and Miles&Smiles — each with different pricing, different surcharges, and different availability for the same flights. The same LHR–Singapore Business Class seat can cost dramatically different amounts depending on which programme you book through.
This article covers the best-value redemptions available to UK travellers using Amex MR points as the primary earning currency, with worked examples comparing programmes head-to-head.
Earn Amex MR points. For Star Alliance, the only direct UK Amex transfer is KrisFlyer at 3:2. Aeroplan and ANA Mileage Club are Amex MR partners in the US but NOT from UK cards. To use Aeroplan, you need points earned from flights, bought during sales, or transferred indirectly via Marriott Bonvoy (poor rate). KrisFlyer at 3:2 is therefore the primary UK Amex MR route into Star Alliance. Miles & More and Miles&Smiles also have no UK Amex transfer.
The Sweet Spots
| Route | Best programme | Miles (one-way) | Amex MR needed | Taxes approx |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa First Class (LHR–Asia) | Aeroplan | 90,000 | 90,000 | C$39 (~£25) |
| Singapore Suites/First (LHR–SIN) | KrisFlyer | ~105,000 Saver | ~157,500 | ~£200–350 |
| Singapore Business (LHR–SIN) | KrisFlyer | ~73,500 Saver | ~110,250 | ~£200–350 |
| EVA Air Royal Laurel Business (LHR–TPE) | Aeroplan | 62,500 | 62,500 | C$39 (~£25) |
| Europe–Middle East Business (via FRA/ZRH) | KrisFlyer | ~74,000 return | ~111,000 | Varies |
| Transatlantic Business (LHR–US) | Aeroplan | 55,000–60,000 | 55,000–60,000 | C$39 (~£25) |
| ANA First Class (LHR–TYO) | ANA Mileage Club | ~120,000 return (L season) | 120,000 (1:1) | ~£300–500 |
| Short-haul Europe Economy | Aeroplan | from 7,500 | 7,500 | C$39 (~£25) |
| Turkish Business (LHR–IST–beyond) | Miles&Smiles | 45,000 (Europe–ME) | N/A (no Amex transfer) | Low |
| Lap infant (any cabin) | Aeroplan | 2,500 | 2,500 | C$39 |
1. Lufthansa First Class via Aeroplan
The crown jewel of Star Alliance redemptions. Lufthansa First Class features a closed-door suite on the A350-900 Allegris (2-2-2 configuration with closing doors and double bed in select rows) or the established First Class product on the 747-8. The Frankfurt First Class Terminal — separate building, personal assistant, Porsche transfer to aircraft — is included with any Lufthansa First ticket.
Via Aeroplan: 90,000 points one-way Europe–Asia in First. No fuel surcharges — just the C$39 partner booking fee (~£25). The challenge for UK travellers: Aeroplan is not a direct UK Amex MR partner. You need Aeroplan points earned from flights, bought during sales, or transferred via Marriott Bonvoy. Despite the earning difficulty, the redemption value is outstanding.
Availability catch: Lufthansa releases First Class award seats to partners only 14 days before departure. Miles & More own members see availability earlier (no 14-day restriction). If you want to plan ahead, you need Miles & More miles — but there is no Amex MR transfer to M&M from the UK. Via Aeroplan, you must be flexible and book within that 14-day window.
The Miles & More alternative: If you hold Senator status from the €99 BA match, your Miles & More account is active and mile expiry is frozen. You can earn M&M miles from Marriott Bonvoy (3:1), from LH Group flights, or from hotel stays. M&M members see First Class availability earlier and can book without the 14-day restriction.
2. Singapore Airlines Suites and First via KrisFlyer
Singapore Suites (A380, 6 seats, double bed) and First Class (777, 4 seats) are exclusively bookable through KrisFlyer. No Star Alliance partner programme can access these cabins. This is the only reason to use KrisFlyer despite the 3:2 Amex transfer penalty.
Saver pricing: LHR–SIN Business ~73,500 miles. First/Suites ~105,000 miles. At 3:2 from Amex, that is ~110,250 and ~157,500 Amex MR points respectively. Expensive in Amex terms — but cash tickets for Singapore Suites exceed £10,000 one-way.
Spontaneous Escapes: Monthly promotion offering 30% off Saver rates on selected routes. Book by month end, travel within a month. Non-refundable. If LHR–SIN appears, Business drops to ~51,500 miles (~77,250 Amex MR).
For any Star Alliance partner flight (Lufthansa, Turkish, Thai, ANA, United, etc.), KrisFlyer is almost never the best option. It passes on fuel surcharges from carriers like Lufthansa and SWISS, and the 3:2 Amex transfer rate makes every mile cost 50% more. Use Aeroplan instead (1:1, no surcharges). Reserve KrisFlyer exclusively for Singapore Airlines own flights — Suites, First, and Business where Saver availability appears.
3. EVA Air Royal Laurel Business via Aeroplan
One of Aeroplan’s best sweet spots. EVA Air Royal Laurel Business Class is consistently rated among the top 5 Business products globally — reverse herringbone, exceptional food, attentive service. Via Taipei to Southeast Asia, Australia, or onward.
Cost: 62,500 Aeroplan points one-way Europe–Taipei in Business. No fuel surcharges. One of Aeroplan’s best sweet spots — though UK travellers need Aeroplan points from flights or purchases rather than direct Amex transfer.
4. The Middle East Sweet Spot via KrisFlyer
Europe to the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Muscat) in Business Class on Lufthansa via Frankfurt, SWISS via Zurich, or Turkish via Istanbul. Approximately 74,000 KrisFlyer miles return (increased from 67,000 in November 2025).
Why KrisFlyer wins here: BA charges 160,000–180,000 Avios + £375 for the same corridor. KrisFlyer costs less than half the miles with lower taxes. At 3:2 from Amex, you need ~111,000 Amex MR for a return. Still dramatically cheaper than BA even accounting for the worse transfer rate.
5. Transatlantic Business via Aeroplan
Aeroplan charges 55,000–60,000 points one-way for Business Class between Europe and North America on any Star Alliance carrier — United, Lufthansa, SWISS, Air Canada, LOT, TAP. No fuel surcharges (C$39 fee only). Competitive with the best oneworld and SkyTeam options, though UK travellers need to source Aeroplan points outside of direct Amex MR transfer.
LOT availability tip: LOT Polish Airlines frequently has strong Business Class availability on transatlantic routes via Warsaw. Their 787 product is decent. If Lufthansa and United show nothing, search LOT via Aeroplan.
Stopover bonus: Aeroplan allows a stopover for 5,000 extra points. LHR–Frankfurt (stopover) – New York in Business for 60,000 + 5,000 = 65,000 Aeroplan points. Two cities, one redemption.
6. ANA First Class via ANA Mileage Club
ANA’s “The Suite” First Class is one of the world’s finest — fully enclosed private space on the 777-300ER. ANA Mileage Club offers round-trip only pricing: Europe–Japan return in First from approximately 120,000 miles (low season). ANA is an Amex MR partner in the US at 1:1 but NOT from UK cards. UK travellers earn ANA miles by crediting flights or via Marriott Bonvoy transfers.
The catch: Round-trip only (no one-ways). 36-month hard expiry. Availability released 355 days ahead — book the moment it opens. ANA First from London is extremely competitive.
7. Aeroplan Power Features
Beyond individual sweet spots, Aeroplan has structural advantages that no other Star Alliance programme matches:
No fuel surcharges: C$39 partner booking fee only. Regardless of carrier. Lufthansa, SWISS, Thai, ANA — all at C$39. This alone can save £200-500 compared to Miles & More or KrisFlyer on the same flights.
Stopovers: Add a stopover to any one-way award for 5,000 extra points. Visit two cities on one redemption.
Mixed-partner itineraries: Up to 6 segments combining different Star Alliance carriers on one ticket. LHR–Frankfurt (Lufthansa) – Bangkok (Thai) – Singapore (Singapore Airlines) booked as one Aeroplan itinerary.
Family pooling: Up to 8 family members share one Aeroplan pool. Combine everyone’s earning into one redemption pot.
Lap infants: 2,500 points in any cabin. The cheapest infant award in any programme.
Non-alliance partners: Emirates, Etihad, and others are bookable via Aeroplan — expanding reach beyond Star Alliance (though these now use dynamic pricing).
Programme Comparison: Same Flight, Different Cost
| LHR–SIN one-way Business | Miles | Amex MR needed | Taxes/fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroplan (on LH/SWISS metal) | 62,500–70,000 | 62,500–70,000 | ~£25 (C$39) |
| KrisFlyer (on SQ metal) | 73,500 Saver | ~110,250 | ~£200–350 |
| KrisFlyer (on LH/SWISS metal) | ~74,000+ | ~111,000+ | £200+ (surcharges) |
| Miles & More (on LH metal) | Dynamic | N/A (no UK Amex transfer) | £200–400+ |
For the same Business Class journey to Singapore, Aeroplan costs roughly 62,500 Amex MR + £25, while KrisFlyer on Singapore Airlines metal costs ~110,250 Amex MR + £200-350. Aeroplan saves approximately 48,000 Amex MR points and £175-325 in taxes — unless you specifically want the Singapore Airlines product, in which case KrisFlyer is the only option.
For UK travellers, KrisFlyer (3:2 from Amex MR) is the only direct Star Alliance programme you can fund from UK credit card points. Use it for Singapore Airlines own flights (Suites, First, Business — exclusively KrisFlyer-bookable) and the Europe–Middle East sweet spot. Aeroplan offers the best redemption values (no surcharges, stopovers, mixed partners) but you cannot transfer UK Amex MR to it directly — you need Aeroplan points from flights, buying during sales, or via Marriott Bonvoy. ANA Mileage Club offers outstanding Japan First Class value but also lacks UK Amex transfer. Miles&Smiles has the best fixed partner chart but no UK earning route. The same flight costs dramatically different amounts depending on which programme you book through — always compare before committing points.
