In danger of being accused of a bait-and-switch headline, I thought it would be good to explain how you can secure a free upgrade. Well up front, you have to join a scheme for small and medium businesses and then use a code to register for the Star Alliance scheme designed for these companies travellers.

PartnerPlusBenefit (formerly Star Alliance Company Plus) is running a promo through this web site where if you join using this link, and quote the referral code ‘blogger’, they will give you 1,500 points just for signing up. Yes Free Points!

PPB points can be earned on a number of Star Alliance carriers – Air Canada, ANA, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Germanwings, LOT, SWISS, Tap and United Airlines for tickets purchased in Europe. You simply enter your membership number when you make the booking, or enter the ticket numbers in to the PPB web site. After the flight is flown, the points show up. You need to nominate an Admin who has access to the site.

I’ve been using the scheme for a long time and cashed the points in for taxi rides to Heathrow, free tickets and most recently (having stopped flying United) for cash. Yes, cold hard cash. (Well to be fair a credit to my chosen credit card, but it turned up in about a week, although I am told it can take longer depending on billing cycles).

The number of points earned depends on the fare class, flexibility and origin/destination. Earning PPB points for your business has no impact on the miles earned by your staff.

Rewards can even be claimed as Heathrow Express tickets. This is the full list:

 

Awards and Partners

During the last year they have added a range of partners who offer their services to PartnerPlusBenefit members in exchange for BenefitPoints. This helps PPB customers maximise their travel budget and cuts their travel spend from the moment they register in the programme.

 

Award flights on Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Germanwings, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, TAP Portugal and United

Upgrades on flights with Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, TAP Portugal and United (currently no upgrades available on Germanwings).

Cashback. PPB members can convert BenefitPoints into Pounds Sterling or Euros.
from 4,500 BenefitPoints

 

Benefit FlyNet voucher (from 1SEP). Benefit FlyNet voucher the limitless Internet service on board provided by Lufthansa.

Carbon offsetting with ClimateCare. For your BenefitPoints we offer you three different carbon offset propositions, whether you want to :

• offset 8.5t of CO² emissions – the equivalent of powering around 35 desktop computers for a year.
• offset 78.5t of CO² emissions – the equivalent of taking 23 average cars off the road for a year.
• offset 314t of CO² emissions – the equivalent of running 1,800m² air-conditioned office space for a year.

For either option your company receives a certificate and a regular update on the projects you are supporting.
from 3,000 BenefitPoints

Business consulting workshops. Core Business Solutions provides PPB members
with three different workshop packages geared to equip small and medium-sized companies with the tools to make them fit for busines

• How to use Social Media as a marketing tool
• Business networking seminar: How to raise your company`s profile and elevate your business
• A full day Business Consulting workshop in sitio: Helping to build a winning business
  from 7,000 BenefitPoints

Limousine service
You can spend BenefitPoints for executive transport from and to the airport or for
any other taxi or chauffeur-driven limousine service with our partner in the South,
CTS International and our preferred Irish provider Global Taxis.
from 500 BenefitPoints

Heathrow Express. Our partnership with Heathrow Express allows you to redeem your BenefitPoints for the air-rail link between Paddington and Heathrow, the fastest connection between Heathrow airport and London.
from 500 BenefitPoints

Hotel Stay eGiftcards. With Global Hotel Card, powered by Orbitz, you can spend BenefitPoints for online reservations at over 70,000 hotels around the world at www.globalhotelcard.com/UK
from 2,500 BenefitPoints

Airport Parking.
As PartnerPlusBenefit member your company is entitled to either discounted parking at all major UK airports or you can also exchange your BenefitPoints for Meet & Greet, Business Park & Ride or Park & Ride solutions in partnership with Purple Parking.
from 500 BenefitPoints

With your BenefitPoints you can select from a stock of over 2,000 products from the WorldShop, including travel and office accessories, lifestyle products, electronic gadgets and many more articles.
from 900 BenefitPoints

Conference Rooms for Meetings & Events
The 15 Radisson Blu Hotels include both 4 and 5 star properties in key locations in London (West end, City and Heathrow), Guildford and Manchester, offering 152 versatile spaces to suit all your conferencing needs. Dedicated teams will be on-hand to assist, and complimentary wireless is included in all locations. Use your PPB BenefitPoints towards the cost of the booking

I get no commission for your signup so why not give it a go?