When it comes to frequent flyer programs, the three major airline alliances, oneworld (OW), SkyTeam (ST), and Star Alliance (*A), offer travelers a range of benefits. While each alliance provides global connectivity, the benefits offered for elite members differ significantly. Which alliance is best for you depends a lot on your travel patterns and your home airport. In this post, I will compare the frequent flyer benefits of the three alliances to find out which one gives the best perks without considering individual needs.
Entry level *A Silver, OW Ruby and ST Elite
When you accumulate enough points in the frequent flyer program with one of the major airline alliances, Star Alliance, oneworld, or SkyTeam, you’ll be assigned an entry-level status tier. These entry-level tiers provide foundational benefits designed to enhance your travel experience as you begin your loyalty journey with the alliance.
At this tier, you can expect basic perks such as priority on waitlists and standby flights, which can be incredibly valuable when flights are overbooked or your travel plans change unexpectedly. Additionally, entry-level status often serves as a stepping stone toward more comprehensive benefits offered at higher tiers, motivating travelers to continue flying with member airlines.
| Star Alliance Silver | Oneworld Ruby | SkyTeam Elite | |
| Priority on waitlists and when on standby | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access to Business Class priority check-in | No | Yes | Yes |
| Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating | No | Yes | Yes |
| Extra baggage allowance | No | No | 10 kg |
| Priority boarding | No | No | Yes |
- SkyTeam Elite: SkyTeam leads the pack for entry-level benefits, offering priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and business class priority check-in, making it the most robust option for frequent flyers starting out.
- Oneworld Ruby: Oneworld comes in second with perks like priority check-in and access to preferred seating, but it lacks extra baggage allowance and priority boarding.
- Star Alliance Silver: While Star Alliance provides the critical benefit of priority on waitlists, it falls short in comparison, offering none of the other perks available in the other two alliances.
In fact, SkyTeam Elite gives almost all the main priority services one might need. This might be a great level for people who do not fly that frequently and who own a credit card that gives free lounge access such as American Express or Revolut.
Mid-level *A Gold, OW Sapphire and ST Elite Plus
For frequent travelers, achieving mid-level status with an airline alliance unlocks a host of valuable benefits that elevate the travel experience. I use the term mid-level here because oneworld has a top-tier, unlike the other two alliances, which only have two tiers. The tiers I compare here are Star Alliance Gold, oneworld Sapphire and SkyTeam Elite Plus, all of which offer more robust perks than entry-level tiers, catering to passengers who regularly fly across the globe. While all three tiers share some benefits, there are notable differences in what each alliance provides. Let’s take a closer look.
| Mid-level | Star Alliance Gold | Oneworld Sapphire | SkyTeam Elite Plus |
| Priority on waitlists and when on standby | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access to Business Class priority check-in | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating | No | Yes | Yes |
| Extra baggage allowance | Extra 20 kg or extra bag | Extra 15 kg or extra bag of 23 kg | 20 kg |
| Priority boarding | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access to Business Class lounges | Yes | Yes | International flights only |
| Priority baggage handling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priority security | Yes | No | Yes |
| Priority immigration | Yes | No | Yes |
| Priority transfer desks | No | No | Yes |
| Guaranteed reservation | No | No | Full fare long-haul economy 24 hours before departure |
- Star Alliance Gold: A well-rounded mid-level status with strong benefits, including lounge access, priority security and extra baggage allowance. However, it lacks access to preferred seating and guaranteed reservations.
- Oneworld Sapphire: Ideal for those who value lounge access, seating preferences and priority boarding. However, it falls behind in priority security, immigration and transfer desk services.
- SkyTeam Elite Plus: The most feature-rich tier, offering unique perks like priority transfer desks and guaranteed reservations. Its lounge access restriction to international flights, however, is a drawback.
Ultimately, the best mid-level status depends on your travel needs. Whether you prioritize international lounge access, baggage perks or seamless airport transfers, both oneworld and SkyTeam offer unique advantages tailored to frequent flyers. Star Alliance Gold is the worst of the bunch given that it won’t give you a free seat selection and they have a long list of exceptions for the additional baggage allowance.
Top-tier *A Gold, Oneworld Emerald and ST Elite Plus
Top-tier airline alliance status is the pinnacle of frequent flyer benefits, offering travelers a premium experience from the moment they arrive at the airport until their journey ends. Because oneworld is the only alliance with an alliance-wide top-tier status, oneworld Emerald, I will compare it here with the highest Star Alliance status (Gold) and highest SkyTeam status (Elite Plus). Let’s explore how these elite tiers compare in terms of benefits and service.
| Top tier | Star Alliance Gold | Oneworld Emerald | SkyTeam Elite Plus |
| Priority on waitlists and when on standby | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access to Business Class priority check-in | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating | No | Yes | Yes |
| Extra baggage allowance | Extra 20 kg or extra bag | Extra 20 kg or extra bag | 20 kg |
| Priority boarding | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access to Business Class lounges | Yes | Yes | International flights only |
| Priority baggage handling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priority security | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priority immigration | Yes | No | Yes |
| Priority transfer desks | No | No | Yes |
| Guaranteed reservation | No | No | Full fare long-haul economy 24 hours before departure |
| First class lounges | No | Yes | No |
| First class check-in | No | Yes | No |
As we can see, the clear winner is oneworld Emerald as it provides first-class lounge access and first-class check-in, making it ideal for those seeking a premium travel experience. The only things it lacks in comparison with SkyTeam Elite Plus is priority immigration (which most airports don’t have anyways), priority transfer desks (which many member airlines provide anyways) and guaranteed reservation (which is useful only for some people). First class lounges in places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Helsinki and New York are much nicer.
In Summary
When it comes to top-tier airline alliance status, oneworld Emerald emerges as the clear winner. With its exclusive perks such as first-class lounge and check-in access, combined with practical benefits like preferred seating and priority boarding, oneworld Emerald offers a truly premium experience. For travelers seeking both luxury and convenience, it’s the ideal choice. Find out the easiest way to oneworld status.
SkyTeam Elite Plus is a very strong contender, especially for those who prioritize operational efficiency over luxury. With features like priority transfer desks and guaranteed reservations, it caters exceptionally well to frequent flyers with packed schedules. However, the lack of domestic lounge access may be a drawback for travelers who value comfort between flights. Find out the easiest way to get SkyTeam status.
Unfortunately, Star Alliance Gold falls short compared to its counterparts. While it provides essential benefits like lounge access and priority services, the lack of preferred seating, first-class perks, and unique features makes it the least compelling option for top-tier frequent flyers. Find out the easiest way to get Star Alliance Gold.
