Aegean have woken up!

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  • Anonymous
    Guest

    TravelWise
    Participant

    We have discussed similar items in other threads but it seems like the European carriers are making changes to their reward programmes as we read about the changes in the USA.

    In recent weeks we have seen Lufthansa change their programme to add an extra points category to encourage more travel actually on Lufthansa flights.

    This week we see Star Alliance carrier Aegean announce changes from November this year. It seems they have caught on to the many members using them to reach SA Gold, as they had the easiest points target to reach.
    Now they have made changes to include the need to have a minimum number of flight segments on Aegean or the need to obtain double the amount of miles with other carriers, as well as actually increasing the overall mileage levels required.

    It seems a fair request and we have discussed the likes before with BA and its minimum flight segments. It does seem fair that to have loyalty benefits you should actually step onto their planes at some point?!

    It is not quite revenue based loyalty schemes, as the US carriers are going towards, but it does seem like they need to put in some protective measures.

    I am not so impressed that they will carryover Gold members, irrespective of whether they meet the new requirements or not, but Silver members will be downgraded to blue. Not so fair? at least let them run out the membership year and you might even encourage them to fly with you.

    Is it the start of the move to more revenue based schemes?
    Is it really in line with the theme of an “Alliance”?

    Personally I think it is fair to have some minimum expectations.

    Hope the link works.

    http://www.newmilesandbonus.com/en

    One additional interesting change is that I see Silver and Gold members will be able to purchase tier miles? No details yet but it seems an interesting move.

    Should people be able to buy gold membership? Surely that is what the likes of Priority Pass is for?

    Next major question, now with the Aegean changes, who is the best SA carrier for obtaining Gold with the minimum amount of effort? I know someone out there is already working this out.


    Senator
    Participant

    SAS EuroBonus may now take on the role 🙂

    With the new SAS Plus product, specially Mediterranean destinations like Nice, Palma, Malta, Athens (technically Aegean destination – pun intended) offer 8,000 EB points for around £200 return from any of the Scandinavian gateways. If you already own a SAS EuroBonus Gold or Diamond card, you gain additional 25%.

    So, for £1,000 and a few day-trips on Saturdays or Sundays you can obtain a SAS Gold.

    For long-haul, I recommend flying with United as SAS EuroBonus awards distance x 2.0 or 200% for travelling with United. Currently, United has a deal to new York from Copenhagen for around £1,000. If you route this from CPH to let’s say ZRH, and connect to United to IAD and onwards to JFK/EWR/LGA you can earn:
    CPH-ZRH-CPH 2 x 3,000 excl. bonus
    ZRH-IAD-ZRH 2 x 8,400 (no bonus possible)
    IAD-NYC-IAD 2 x 1,200 (no bonus possible)

    All in all 25,200 for round trip


    TravelWise
    Participant

    Very clear calculation Senator and it seems a very good deal. I am sure the massive BA trip featured in the BT news last week cost a lot more than £1000. Not that his aim was to reach gold.

    It seems a great deal to get gold, but is it really worth chasing? I guess you don’t always appreciate it until it is gone?

    I would miss the fast track security option the most. Although that is being sold in many of the airports now.

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