For anyone near a Continental hub, this may work out great. With South African Airways as a Star Alliance member, you can earn One Pass miles on SAA flights and use One Pass miles for rewards travel on SAA.

Mike:

Breaks my heart as I used to fly CO all the time through Houston. I am gold on United, so I will still get credit, but the reciprocity of 1st class upgrades is not going to happen with Star Alliance. Under the Sky Team Alliance, NW Gold and Platinums got upgraded on CO flights (and after the merger, DL as well). In fact, gold on CO won't even get you an economy plus seat on UA. Ms AZwriter flew to Europe yesterday and found that out (although in the Red Carpet club they gave her one anyway).

It will also be interesting to see if the Presidents Clubs start charging for alcohol; all Star Alliance clubs in the US do (UA and US). Sky Team never has.

I am a guy who has a ton of miles, but I almost never use my miles for free tickets to Africa; fly thru AMS to DAR and you are almost silver right away. Free mileage tickets of course give you no elite status credit.

Like I said, the Star Alliance thing breaks my heart. But I won't miss those non-stop delays in Houston due to weather.