Growing up between Tokyo, New Zealand, and Canada, Star Alliance was simply the default. Air New Zealand, Air Canada, ANA — that was the world I knew. It wasn't until I returned to Japan and started working that I began thinking about building my own status, and discovered what was waiting on the other side with JAL and oneworld. This is the full story of my airline loyalty journey, from the status run year of 2018 through COVID extensions, re-qualifications, and a world tour built around oneworld emerald. Where it stands today, and where it's headed.

No single airline can reach every corner of the globe — that’s where airline alliances come in. From Star Alliance to oneworld and SkyTeam, here’s how these global networks connect travelers — and which one I find the most rewarding to fly with.