My experience flying within an airline alliance

My experience flying within an airline alliance.  For many people, flying within an airline alliance is not considered a “priority.” Actually, I was one of those people for a long time simply because I did not understand it. But after living through the overwhelming hassle of short layovers and connecting flights, it’s needless to say that I’m sticking with my airline alliance so I can enjoy a blissful travel experience, alongside continuing to benefit throughout my travels.

If you haven’t had the overwhelming experience of running through an airport for a connecting flight, let’s just say it’s one experience in life you’ll definitely want to miss out on. Nonetheless, I had this experience not too long ago when flying into Athens for a connecting flight to Mykonos. After slight delays flying into Athens, our time between flights was cut short, so saying I was rushed would be an understatement. For an average traveler, security lines would be long and slow, checking bags could take longer than expected, and even checking-in could be a hassle. If I was one of those “average travelers,” I would have missed my flight. Despite this, I made it to my flight on time, and there is only one reason why: my airline alliance network.

Because loyalty is rewarded within an airline alliance, benefits add up the longer you stay  loyal to your airline alliance network. Alliance perks like priority airport check-in, priority baggage handling, Gold Track Security and priority boarding helped me make it to my flight on time in Athens and enjoy a smooth flight to Mykonos. Had I not held my airline alliance network in such high regards, I would have missed my flight to Mykonos.

Despite the more enjoyable overall experience, it is no secret that flying within your alliance will get you better perks. My favorite part about flying within my alliance are the perks  you’d see in a typical, no rush travel day: the no baggage fee and the better seats. While all of an airline alliance’s perks will benefit you in the long run, these two specific benefits will always make traveling less stressful, more enjoyable, and a lot cheaper when it comes to checking baggage. I mean, who likes to pay to check their luggage anyway, right? One thing I learned on my last trip is to always book your tickets and reservations with traveler who has the highest status within their alliance. In terms of the Star Alliance, this would be a Gold member rather than a Silver member. By doing this, all members on the reservation would benefit from the highest level of perks possible.

Regardless of whether you consider yourself a frequent traveler or a “newbie” when it comes to booking flights and exploring the world, you should choose an airline alliance and stick to it. By doing so, you will earn more through every stage of your travel experience, especially in terms of benefits. Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to this, but if you’re ever in a rush during a layover or even running late for a regular flight at the airport, you can always count on your loyalty towards your airline alliance to help you out!

For more information on airline alliance, feel free to look at our articles: Star Alliance, Oneworld Alliance, SkyTeam Alliance. Guide on points