SAS has been part of Star Alliance, a route collaboration between 26 airlines around the world. But after economic turmoil, the American investment company Castlelake took control of 32 percent of the shares and the Air France-KLM group 19.9 percent of the shares.
Thus, SAS flies out of the Star Alliance and into Skyteam with 19 airlines, which is the smallest airline alliance.
The Eurobonus points have been a boon for those who have flown a lot with SAS – as customers get cheaper flights with them. From September 1, Eurobonus members will be Skyteam customers instead.
– We confirm that Eurobonus will be maintained and that Eurobonus will continue to be the SAS benefit program. This means that you do not need to change the bonus program and the current balance of points and expiry dates for points and status remain the same as they are today, says media manager Øystein Schmidt at SAS to Nettavisen.
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This is changing
However, the names of the points change.
– Members earn bonus and tier points when flying with SAS and Skyteam airlines. The terms bonus points and status points will disappear. You can also earn points by using a selection of credit cards linked to Eurobonus, says Schmidt.
- Eurobonus cash members become members of Skyteam Elite and receive, among other things, extra baggage and priority booking.
- Gold and Diamond members become members of Skyteam Elite Plus and get access to the lounge, fast track and priority boarding. Diamond members also receive other special benefits.
- Extra points become bonus points
- Status points become level points
- Default points will no longer be used. Instead, when you fly with SAS or an alliance partner airline, you earn both bonus and tier points.
Important dates
But until August 31, you will be able to use the points you already have in the Star Alliance system. After this date, you can also send your bonus trip back to an SAS flight or special Skyteam flights, explained the media manager.
An important date to note is November 30 this year.
– If you find out that you do not have Eurobonus points after flights with a Star Alliance company, you will be able to claim them until November 30 of this year for flights with Star Alliance airlines if take them before September 1. After this date, it will no longer be possible to earn required points for flights on Star Alliance airlines.
The points can still be used to shop in the online shop for Eurobonus or to buy air tickets, upgrades, hotel stays or car hire.
Other companies in the mix
After September 1, the company combination on which you can earn bonus points and receive discounts will change. Because there are completely different airlines in the Skyteam alliance than in the Star Alliance.
Star Alliance includes the luxury carriers Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines. The Skyteams mix gives you less Asia in the mix, but more focus on Africa.
These companies are part of Skyteam
- Air Europa (Spain)
- Air France
- Air Serbia (Serbia)
- Aeroméxico (Mexico)
- China Airlines (Taiwan)
- Delta Air Lines (United States)
- Garuda Indonesia (Indonesia)
- Kenya Airways (Cenya)
- KLM (Netherlands)
- Korean Air (South Korea)
- Middle East Airlines (Lebanon)
- Saudi Arabia
- TAROM (Romans)
- Vietnam Airlines (Vietnam)
- Xiamenair (Head)
- Argentine Airlines (Argentina)
- Czech Airlines (Czech Republic)
- ITA Airways (Italy)
- Virgin Atlantic (Great Britain)
A cute version from Norway
SAS’s strong competitor, Norway, over the years has had its own ability to respond quickly to SAS’s moves. So also in autumn. Now passengers with gold and diamond cards with SAS can get what Norwegian calls “Match Status”. If you’ve traveled enough to get these cards from SAS, they can now access Norwegian upgrade schemes. Benefits include:
- Free seating on all seats
- Priority registration
- Baggage checked for free
– Was this a rude impulse to get SAS customers over to Norway?
– There is nothing in the way of being both here and there, this is about creating more competition that will benefit the customers, says senior communications consultant Eivind Hammer Myhre at Norway to Nettavisen.
One of the reasons why Norway offers advantages to SAS customers with Norway is an opportunity for business customers.
– Corporate customers are important to us. We have a good network with many direct routes in Norway, the Nordics and Europe as well as great stability.
– Is it because you are trying to get the customers on board again after people get used to Team meetings?
– We can see that the business customers are back, so I wouldn’t say there is any incentive. This is mainly because we want to give customers a better offer.
SAS, for its part, responds that the Eurobonus scheme is very popular.
– About 40 percent of Norway’s population, two million Norwegians, are members, which makes it the most used person of its kind in this country. So it is not surprising that other actors in aviation are launching their alternatives to this. However, we at SAS value being challenged and welcome competition. We’ve done that since the SAS organization started in the 1940s, says SAS media manager Schmidt.
– Fighting for customers
There is nothing new in attracting SAS customers from Norway.
– It is business as usual, says aviation analyst Hans Jørgen Elnæs in Winair to Nettavisen. – They fight for the best customers, the bonus customers who travel for work. It is a real competition and this does not surprise anyone.
– Norway has been working deliberately to get a larger share of frequent travelers. They have established themselves well within Norway and Scandinavia, while SAS has a different emphasis outside the world.
Several companies have flirted with Eurobonus customers, says the analyst.
2024-08-22 17:25:31
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