Who rebooks me when a Star codeshare is cancelled?

The operating carrier handles day-of-travel rebook. The marketing carrier is the ticket owner. Ask at both service desks for different needs.

Can Star Alliance rebook me on a non-Star carrier?

Sometimes yes via non-alliance interline agreements. Not always at the same fare class. Ask the operating carrier for all available options.

Does EU261 apply to United codeshares operated by Lufthansa?

Yes if the flight departs the EU or arrives on an EU carrier. EU261 attaches to the operating carrier (LH), regardless of marketing (UA).

Which Star Alliance airline handles disruptions best?

ANA and Singapore routinely top customer satisfaction. Lufthansa is known for prompt EU261 payment. United is uneven; depends on cause.

Do I earn miles on the operating or marketing carrier?

The marketing carrier's program by default, at a rate based on fare code. Many Star carriers mirror each other; check the earning chart.

What happens to baggage on a Star Alliance disruption?

Tagged through to the final destination, rerouted with you if a replacement leg is on a different operating carrier. Damage claim goes to the final delivering carrier.

Can I claim both EU261 and trip delay insurance on a Star disruption?

Yes. They cover different losses. Statutory compensation (EU261) plus reimbursement of actual expenses (insurance). Document each separately.

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LegalApril 22, 2026•7 min read

Star Alliance Codeshare Rebooking Rules

Star Alliance codeshare rebook rules span 26 member airlines, each with slightly different operating conventions. United, Lufthansa, ANA, Singapore, Air Canada all anchor the alliance. When a flight cancels, the operating carrier owns day-of-travel; the marketing carrier owns the ticket. Here is how to work the system.

Star Alliance Codeshare Rebook: Scope

Star Alliance codeshare rebook covers 26 member airlines, the largest of the global alliances. Members share frequent flyer programs, lounge access, and, critically, interline agreements that make rebook on a partner relatively easy. When your Star Alliance codeshare flight cancels, the operating carrier handles day-of-travel care, the marketing carrier manages the ticket and refund.

Interline breadth is Star Alliance's advantage. Delays on a UA codeshare can often rebook onto LH, SQ, ANA, AC, etc. same-day.

Star Alliance Members

›
Aegean, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana (consolidating with Korean), Austrian, Avianca, Brussels, Copa, Croatia, EgyptAir, Ethiopian, EVA Air, LOT, Lufthansa, Scandinavian, Shenzhen, Singapore, South African, Swiss, TAP, Thai, Turkish, United.

See codeshare upgrade rights: the unexpected rules for upgrade handling across Star metal.

Rebook Priority Within Star

1
Same operating carrier next flight.
2
Marketing carrier's own flight (if different).
3
Star Alliance partner same-day flight.
4
Non-alliance partner with interline agreement.
5
Refund if none available within reasonable window.

Compensation Path

›
EU261: claim against operating carrier on EU-origin or EU-carrier arrivals. LH, LX, OS, LO, TP, A3, SN, SK all trigger EU261 on any flight they operate to/from EU.
›
DOT refund: via ticketing carrier (the marketing carrier in your ticket).
›
Article 9 care: operating carrier provides.
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Status/miles: marketing carrier's FFP (MileagePlus for UA, Miles and More for LH, KrisFlyer for SQ, etc.).

Specific Star Carrier Notes

›
United: primary Star interface for US travelers; MileagePlus is the FFP for codeshare mileage accrual by default.
›
Lufthansa: strong compensation record; occasional French ATC strike exposure affects FRA hub.
›
ANA / Singapore: premium service standards; widely cited best-in-class disruption handling.
›
Air Canada: largest Star transatlantic partner; AC disruptions often rebook on UA or LH same-day.
›
Turkish: massive IST hub, but compensation responsiveness uneven.
›
Thai: Asian hub coverage, historically slower on EU261 claims.

See interline ticket vs codeshare ticket differences for the key distinction and codeshare between US and EU carriers: compensation path for the US-EU routing specifics.

Baggage on Star Codeshares

Baggage allowance follows most-significant-operating-carrier (MSC) for the journey. Checked baggage is tagged for the final destination, rerouted if a segment is replaced. Damage claims go to the delivering carrier (last operating carrier of the journey).

Pillar Link and Authority Sources

See the full pillar at Codeshare Flight Rights: Which Airline Is Responsible. Primary sources: Regulation (EC) 261/2004, DOT Aviation Consumer Protection, and Star Alliance conditions of carriage (on each member's site).

Star Alliance codeshare trouble? TravelStacks files EU261 against the operating carrier. Start a claim in 30 seconds.

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