Traveling through Copenhagen airport Kastrup during COVID-19 times in SAS Plus

Posted on July 19, 2020 by meanie

Traveling during this crazy Covid-19 times is a very big challenge.

I travelled from Sweden to Denmark’s airport Kastrup to take a SAS flight SK2777 from Copenhagen to Athens, which was the first flight available.

I used 18 000 Eurobonus points to get a seat in SAS Plus class, which this time did not give any additional benefits in comparison to SAS Go.

Here’s the current travel conditions:

SAS business and Gold lounges are closed
SAS and Copenhagen fast tracks are not available
Mandatory facial mask while in the airport and onboard
No priority boarding, boarding starts from the back of the plane
No drinks or food service, were only served a bottle of water and disinfection napkip

Overall, it was very different experience and felt unrealistic to fly for the first time since February 2020.

On arrival to Athens we were asked to present previously obtained QR codes and had a Covid-19 swap. Thankfully it was negative, but results you get day after via SMS message.

SAS EuroBonus Points Pooling (Sharing) is finally here!

Posted on December 10, 2018 by meanie

A long-awaited feature of SAS EuroBonus program is live, which is actually more positive rather than negative, considering the recent 95% points earning devaluation and 25% points redemption increase.

Now SAS EuroBonus members can pool points in one account and reach their travel goals faster. This includes SAS or Star Alliance award booking (including First Class trips), travel class upgrade, car rental, hotel booking or anything else that is possible to purchase using EuroBonus points.

https://www.sas.se/eurobonus/point-sharing/#/point-sharing
Here are the details from SAS regarding the EuroBonus sharing

Pros of SAS EuroBonus family and friends pooling

Up to 8 members can pool their points into 1 EuroBonus sharing account
Saving of 25 Eur per 1000 EuroBonus points transferred
All members can redeem the entire EuroBonus pool of points
One person acts as admin of the group and can prevent any other member from using the points completely
The oldest points from all members will be used first, so less chance of having EuroBonus points being wasted due to the expiration
If a member leaves the pool group and cancels EuroBonus (Star Alliance) award, points are returned to the members in the proper proportions
SAS EuroBonus Diamond member’s points do not expire (even though will be shown with expiration date)

Cons of SAS EuroBonus points sharing account

A new feature, which will create a lot of confusion and questions at the beginning
Opens brand new opportunities for scam and points black market
All points sharing members can see your transactions and activities
Saving some points for a personal use is impossible unless you leave the group
Requires 6 months in the points pooling account, before you can quit it

NOTE!
DO NOT SHARE/POOL YOUR SAS EUROBONUS POINTS WITH ANYONE WHO YOU DO NOT TRUST.

After the award points have been redeemed, I doubt there will be any way of claiming them back.

Are you going to start SAS EuroBonus points pooling?

Leave a comment!

Ridiculous SAS EuroBonus points earnings decrease

Posted on October 1, 2018 by meanie

SAS just announced new EuroBonus points earnings that are effective from December 1st, 2018. The change is drastically decreasing points earned on SAS long-haul flights to USA and Asia in SAS Go class.

The decreased in earned points can be up to 95% !!!(SIC)!!! in comparison to current EuroBonus earnings.

ADJUSTED POINTS EARNING ON GO LIGHT TICKETS

Points earning will be adjusted on Go Light tickets and on non-flexible tickets to USA and Asia in Go class.
Tier qualifying flights* and tier level bonus** are not affected. The change will affect passengers booking from 1st October with departures from 1st December 2018.

* 10 one-way flights (on SAS and/or to selected destinations on Wideroe) to become a Silver member, 45 one-way flights to
become a Gold member and 90 one-way flights to become a Dimond member
** Gold & Diamond members earn 25% more Basic points on flights on SAS and Wideroe

Here is an example of current earnings between Copenhagen and San Francisco on Scandinavian Airlines operated flight, without any additional status bonuses. Both SAS Go Light and SAS Go classes would earn 4 500 EuroBonus points.
Now the crazy “program improvement”, the same SAS flight in Go Light class will earn 250 EuroBonus points, which is almost 95% decrease!

SAS Go is decreasing by almost 50%, from 4500 points to 2400.

This is really sad news for everyone who used to go on mileage runs with SAS. In case you used to accumulate SAS EuroBonus point, booking SAS Go Light fare becomes a complete nonsense. Affordable SAS Go fare will be giving points comparable to two intra-Europe flight in SAS Plus. For example, Copenhagen to London in SAS Plus will give 1500 EuroBonus points.

UPDATED!

Apparently, the points decrease is not only for SAS flights to USA and Asia but Europe as well!

Here are current earnings on Copenhagen to London flight, which gives 500 EuroBonus points in both SAS Go Light and SAS Go fares.

And here are the “improved” earnings of whopping 100 points in SAS Go Light fare.

This is just a ridiculous downgrade from SAS, which came completely not announced. SAS vaguely announced it on one of the EuroBonus news pages, which requires at least 3-4 clicks to reach from the home page and doesn’t even have a clear explanation.

I was expecting EuroBonus devaluation at some point, given the long-promised SAS EuroBonus 3.0., but decrease earnings by 95%? That is just cruel.

It makes it much harder to earn and maintain any sort of elite status with EuroBonus, if you are not flying in Plus and Business class cabin. Surely, there are still options with credit cards, but who knows how SAS will “improve” credit card offers?

But hey, at least with Gold and Diamond status you will earn 25% more points on 100 base points :)!

Is anyone else thinking its just crazy from SAS to do this to their loyal customers?

Amex Platinum Fast Track in Arlanda T5 – new perk

Posted on June 21, 2018 by meanie

It’s great to see that American Express is putting extra efforts in Sweden to justify owning Amex Platinum credit card.

American Express Platinum is a great alternative for those, who don’t want or cannot have a top-tier status within airlines alliances. I have listed all Amex Platinum Sweden benefits here.

American Express Platinum Fast Track Arlanda

Amex Platinum Fast Track Arlanda

Now there’s one more improvement to Amex Platinum card and it’s a Fast Track in Stockholm Arlanda Airport Terminal 5. Cardholders can use SAS Gold Fast Track, but with Amex Platinum, it doesn’t matter which airline you’re flying.

I value Fast Track as one of the most time-saving benefits of my StarAlliance Gold status, but if you fly on various airlines, it might be quite hard to maintain a top level in several alliances/programs.

Now with American Express Platinum, you can be flying any airline, including members of StarAlliance, Sky Team, and oneworld, or even low-costers like Norwegian or Ryan Air, and yet save tons of time on security for yourself and one additional passenger traveling with you.

Let’s not forget about Priority Pass unlimited, which is included with American Express Platinum card. It gives access to airport contracted lounges for the cardholder and one guest. So it’s really almost like having a top-tier membership with an airline.

Let’s hope this benefit will expand further in Scandinavia and even Europe!

American Express Bonus Membership Rewards points

Remember, you can earn additional 200 000 Amex Membership Rewards points when you sign-up for American Express Platinum card using the special invitational link, plus the first 3 months for free!

Additional points with SAS EuroBonus World Mastercards

Posted on June 20, 2018 by meanie

Great news for all SAS EuroBonus World Mastercard or SAS EuroBonus World Mastercard Premium cardholders in Sweden! During July each purchase using SAS Mastercard will earn additional 10 SAS EuroBonus points.

With SAS EuroBonus Mastercard you will receive 25 Extra Points per 100 SEK spent (normally 15) and with Mastercard Premium you get 30 extra points per 100 SEK spent (normally 20) – when you pay in foreign currency throughout July 2018. It’s a great opportunity to earn some extra points for your future travel with SAS or StarAlliance.

Note!: If you are current SAS EuroBonus Mastercard holder, check your email inbox for the email from SAS. There is a link to register for the offer and it’s personalized for each member.

If you haven’t received email, check your spam folder for “Fler poäng på resan i juli med SAS EuroBonus Mastercard – sommar och semestershopping“.

Also, remember that cash withdrawal will not earn any points, so try to swipe your card as much as possible.

Why you shall reach SAS EuroBonus Silver status before summer?

Posted on May 8, 2018 by meanie

SAS EuroBonus Silver

SAS EuroBonus Silver (StarAlliance Silver) status is the second lowest membership level in SAS, which has very limited perks and benefits. It can be earned by accumulating least 20 000 Basic points or taken at least 10 one-way flights on SAS Airlines and/or to selected destinations on Wideroe Airlines during your qualification period.

You can read detailed guide How to get SAS EuroBonus Silver here.

SAS EuroBonus Silver benefits

Feasible perks and benefits of SAS EuroBonus Silver status are more or less limited to “Priority business class check-in” and additional extra points, especially after SAS has taken away a perk of one free luggage on SAS Go Light fares.

SAS EuroBonus Silver benefits during summer

There’s a twist why EuroBonus Silver status has almost the same benefits as EuroBonus Gold during limited summer time.

As EuroBonus Silver member traveling during July 8th to August 20th in 2018 you can enjoy both SAS Fast Track and SAS Lounges. You can even invite up to 4 family members or 1 friend traveling on any SAS Airlines operated flight the same day. Remember, it’s not applicable to SAS Charter flights.

You can access SAS lounges in: Chicago, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Helsinki, New York, Oslo, Paris, and Stockholm (Arlanda Terminal 5).

And use SAS Fast Track in: Stockholm, Gothenburg, Oslo and Copenhagen.

Instant SAS EuroBonus Silver status

The easiest and fastest way to reach SAS EuroBonus Silver status stays American Express SAS Elite credit card.

With a monthly fee of approximately 330 SEK/month, you can try the card, get upgraded to SAS EuroBonus SIlver status, use the perks and benefits for few summer months and cancel it at any time, if you don’t like it (but I’m sure you would love it!).

You can potentially save up to 2000 SEK per trip with American Express Elite card in comparison to buying access to contracted lounges or paying in over-priced airport cafes.

So how much can you benefit from EuroBonus Silver status during summer?

Usually, airport lounges sell their access for approximately 20-25 Euros per person, however I find SAS lounges to be more pleasant than contracted lounges, access to which you can buy with PriorityPass or LoungeBuddy.

Here is a simple estimation for a group of travelers during one summer trip:

A couple traveling from an airport with SAS Lounge to an airport without could easily save 50 Euros per trip. Make it 100 Euros if you are family of four.
And if you’re traveling from an airport with SAS Lounge and return from an airport with SAS Lounge (such as USA or Paris), as a couple you could save 100 Euros and as a family, up to 200 Euros per trip.
Don’t forget, time is money. Using Fast Track in airports during summer vacation madness can save tons of time, as well as nerves and frustration.

SAS EuroBonus LifeTime Gold status is finally here!

Posted on March 19, 2018 by meanie

SAS EuroBonus LifeTime Gold and Diamond (Star Alliance Gold) statuses have been promised by SAS for quite a while. The latest update on it was in December 2017 in Ask SAS magazine.

Today, there are reports that qualifying SAS EuroBonus members started to receive email notifications regarding their LifeTime Gold statuses.

What is SAS EuroBonus LifeTime Gold status?

sas eurobonus gold

It’s something quite simple, yet amazing!

It’s a EuroBonus Gold status for the rest of your life :). Remember, that it’s equivalent to Star Alliance Gold status, which grants benefits on all flights within Star Alliance network. It includes priority check-in, access to the airport lounges, security fast-tracks and some other perks. Sadly, it will not give free luggage on Go Light fares, as SAS is removing this benefit from EuroBonus program.

Yet, it’s quite nice to travel with SAS/Star Alliance with their top-tier status, it saves a lot of time and makes flying more enjoyable.

How to get SAS EuroBonus LifeTime Gold status?

sas-scandinavian-airlines

Briefly: FLY, FLY, FLY!

You have to have a normal SAS EuroBonus Gold status for 10 consecutive years. It sounds quite a lot, but in my opinion is totally worth it. I’m in my 2nd year soon, so just 8 years ahead!

Note that a Gold status received from a Diamond member doesn’t count towards LifeTime qualification, therefore you really should have been traveling a lot in the past 10 years.

It’s also stated that “Points accumulated as a result of using credit cards, car hire, hotel stays or other earning opportunities do not count.”, but it shouldn’t affect members who received additional EuroBonus Basic Points and accelerate to their Gold status by using SAS American Express and MasterCard Premium credit cards.

So who is up for a challenge?

Share how many years you have accumulated so far!

SAS EuroBonus American Express additional 25% bonus points

Posted on February 16, 2018 by meanie

Last year in March SAS EuroBonus and American Express ran a special promotion to attract new customers. This year, Bonus 25% SAS EuroBonus points promotion campaign is a bit earlier and valid from February 16th to February 28th.

Don’t miss a chance to sign up for SAS EuroBonus American Express and receive up to 22 500 additional SAS EuroBonus extra points!

You need to use special invitation links, they are provided for each type of a card below:

SAS EuroBonus American Express Classic Credit Card Amex

7 500 SAS EuroBonus extra points after spending 10000 SEK within first 3 months.
0 first year fee

SAS EuroBonus American Express Premium Credit Card Amex

15 000 SAS EuroBonus extra points after spending 15000 SEK within first 3 months.
0 SEK first year fee

Best deal!

SAS EuroBonus American Express Elite Credit Card Amex

22 500 SAS EuroBonus extra points after spending 20000 SEK within first 3 months.

4000 SEK/year + 20 000 status EuroBonus points (automatic EuroBonus Silver status)

Traditionally, I would recommend getting SAS EuroBonus American Express Premium Credit Card.

Under current promotion it is completely free for the first year, with a potential of receiving up to 20 000 SAS EuroBonus extra points on your account within the first 3 months after spending 15000 SEK within 3 months.

SAS EuroBonus American Express Premium Credit Card also comes with Amex 2-4-1 voucher for all StarAlliance flights, and it’s a great discount on points redemption.

Free SAS EuroBonus American Express Classic and Premium + sign up bonus points

Posted on January 18, 2018 by meanie

Great news for everyone who wants to start or already collecting SAS EuroBonus points and enjoys traveling in style ;)!

American Express Sweden is offering one year free SAS EuroBonus Amex Classic and Premium credit cards, and massive sign up bonuses up to 12 000 EuroBonus Extra Points (apply before April 30. 2018). Continue reading →

All Airberlin topbonus status match offers to oneworld alliance

Posted on October 18, 2017 by meanie

Airberlin’s last day as a oneworld member airline will be October 27, 2017. But it doesn’t mean your topbonus status has to be wasted. There’re several status match opportunities with several oneworld airlines.

Iberia Plus status match

iberia plus status match

Currently the best oneworld status match offer. You can match topbonus Silver (oneworld Ruby) status to Iberia Plus Silver.

In case you have topbonus Gold or Platinum (oneworld Sapphire and Emerald) you can get Iberia Plus Gold (oneworld Sapphire).

You need to fill in the status match request document, which is in German, but… Google translate would help! Send it to ibpcampaign@iberia.es or clasica@iberia.es, including photos or screenshots of your current topbonus status.

The best part of Iberia Plus status match is that it’s not asking to do any flight challenges, so you can just receive the status and start using it immediately.

Finnair Plus status match and challenge

finnair plus status match

Finnair will only match topbonus members to Finnair Plus Silver (oneworld Ruby), irrespectively of having higher tier.

Reaching Finnair Gold status will require a Gold Challenge, which requires 40,000 tier points or 23 flights within 6 months. All details are available on Finnair status match webpage.

I got my status matched within 2 weeks after sending the required information to Finnair.

British Airways Executive Club status match + bonus Avios

BA Executive Club Silver

British Airways, same as Finnair, is only matching to BA Bronze (oneworld Ruby).

If you are an existing Executive Club Member, you need send an email at ABtieroffer@ba.com with your Executive Club membership details and attach evidence of your airberlin topbonus tier status by the 30 November.

If you are not an existing member, you will need to join first. You will also be eligible for an additional 4,500 Avios when you join before the 30th of November.

if you take 4 flights with British Airways before the 31 December 2017, you will receive additional 9,000 bonus Avios.

Full details are available at BA status match page

Royal Jordanian Airlines Royal Plus top-tier status match

Royal Jordanian status match

Quite “exotic” status match from Royal Jordanian airlines. The offer is valid only for top-tier statuses (Gold and Platinum). The status match requires a flight with RJ to “activate” the status and member must achieve 20,000 miles within the first 12 months to keep the matched status, otherwise, the card level will be demoted.

Full details are available on Royal Jordanian status match page, This status match is only making sense if you have travel plans with RJ, which has quite nice business class.

Personally, I have already matched to Finnair Plus and plan on matching to Iberia Plus. I don’t see myself using RJ anytime soon. And in good, old-fashioned traditions, British Airways are offering close to a useless status match.

Which program would you choose?

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