Feb 23, 2015, 6:35 am
Last edit by: NWIFlyer
With the evolution of the Miles&Bonus program, there are a number of threads on this forum that contain outdated information, plus a further set that - whilst describing the new program - contain conflicting information that has only been crystallised as we all discover how certain aspects of the program either work or are interpreted.
It is perhaps therefore unsurprising that many new members find searching through this myriad of threads a little daunting, and consequently they post a question in one of the FAQ threads.
This tends to irk those who've been around for a while who expect the new posters to at least do some basic searching before posting a question that has probably been asked many times before. This also causes the forums to become very congested and less easy to read through with the same question being asked and answered many times.
I am therefore creating a thread, which will be stickied, for anyone to ask any question they like about the M&B program where they are unsure or it's not obvious where they should be posting it.
There is no such thing in this thread as a stupid question, no issue with asking a repeat question, and any answers should be 100% flame-free. I will take a dim view of anyone that abuses a member or provides a less than helpful answer (such as 'do a search') to any question asked in here, because this is being created to benefit all of us so the other threads flow more cleanly. Thank you for your co-operation on this.
It might be that I move questions to more appropriate threads so they receive an answer more quickly, but if I do so I will always add a note to indicate where they originated, and ask that the flame-free answer principle be respected.
NWIFlyer
Moderator
Aegean M&B
It is perhaps therefore unsurprising that many new members find searching through this myriad of threads a little daunting, and consequently they post a question in one of the FAQ threads.
This tends to irk those who've been around for a while who expect the new posters to at least do some basic searching before posting a question that has probably been asked many times before. This also causes the forums to become very congested and less easy to read through with the same question being asked and answered many times.
I am therefore creating a thread, which will be stickied, for anyone to ask any question they like about the M&B program where they are unsure or it's not obvious where they should be posting it.
There is no such thing in this thread as a stupid question, no issue with asking a repeat question, and any answers should be 100% flame-free. I will take a dim view of anyone that abuses a member or provides a less than helpful answer (such as 'do a search') to any question asked in here, because this is being created to benefit all of us so the other threads flow more cleanly. Thank you for your co-operation on this.
It might be that I move questions to more appropriate threads so they receive an answer more quickly, but if I do so I will always add a note to indicate where they originated, and ask that the flame-free answer principle be respected.
NWIFlyer
Moderator
Aegean M&B
Flame-Free Questions on A3 - ask your newbie (and not so newbie) questions here
Jan 15, 2017, 5:33 am
#1081
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: A3*G
Posts: 128
Autohellas (=Hertz Greece) owns at least 11% of Aegean. The Vassilakis family owns Aegean and founded Autohellas. Their headquarters are in the same building.. Just sayin'
Jan 15, 2017, 8:29 am
#1082
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,565
I searched the A3 site for quite some time and I was not able to find the "upgrade" privilege for M+B gold members (I don't think they ever had that for *G). Seems to have been "enhanced" along with others...
By the way, when booking Hertz rentals through the A3 site you now get ~30% off! I have no idea how long this offer is valid for, though. The strange thing is, I tried to have Hertz at Athens match the offer for a rental at FCO next week through an email request and they said that they would not be able to do it, and I should book through the A3 site. In that case, though, I was told I would no longer be able to have the Hertz Gold priviledges at FCO (like car waiting for me, upgrade, etc.). Hertz has not stopped amazing me in all those years.
By the way, when booking Hertz rentals through the A3 site you now get ~30% off! I have no idea how long this offer is valid for, though. The strange thing is, I tried to have Hertz at Athens match the offer for a rental at FCO next week through an email request and they said that they would not be able to do it, and I should book through the A3 site. In that case, though, I was told I would no longer be able to have the Hertz Gold priviledges at FCO (like car waiting for me, upgrade, etc.). Hertz has not stopped amazing me in all those years.
Jan 15, 2017, 2:24 pm
#1086
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Paris
Programs: Miles&Bonus *G
Posts: 318
Jan 18, 2017, 6:03 am
#1088
Community Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,476
A3 does participate in the *A upgrade scheme, as does LH, so provided you meet the criteria (available award space on LH, high enough Economy ticket bucket purchased) you will be able to use A3 miles to upgrade a LH flight. Note that where LH has Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins, no upgrades are possible from Y to J.
The reality is also that this is regarded as extremely poor value for a redemption, so the chances of someone on FT actually having done it is probably fairly small!
So if you're looking for a confirmed example, you may well struggle. If you're looking for confirmation that it's possible, then it definitely is.
The reality is also that this is regarded as extremely poor value for a redemption, so the chances of someone on FT actually having done it is probably fairly small!
So if you're looking for a confirmed example, you may well struggle. If you're looking for confirmation that it's possible, then it definitely is.
Jan 18, 2017, 6:34 am
#1089
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: A3
Posts: 7
A3 does participate in the *A upgrade scheme, as does LH, so provided you meet the criteria (available award space on LH, high enough Economy ticket bucket purchased) you will be able to use A3 miles to upgrade a LH flight. Note that where LH has Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins, no upgrades are possible from Y to J.
The reality is also that this is regarded as extremely poor value for a redemption, so the chances of someone on FT actually having done it is probably fairly small!
So if you're looking for a confirmed example, you may well struggle. If you're looking for confirmation that it's possible, then it definitely is.
The reality is also that this is regarded as extremely poor value for a redemption, so the chances of someone on FT actually having done it is probably fairly small!
So if you're looking for a confirmed example, you may well struggle. If you're looking for confirmation that it's possible, then it definitely is.
Jan 18, 2017, 6:47 am
#1090
Community Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,476
This isn't just LH that's affected - all the *A airlines that participate in the upgrade scheme have these same rules.
Jan 26, 2017, 5:27 am
#1091
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: ±38,000 feet
Programs: LH HON, BA GGL, AF Plat, EK Plat
Posts: 6,428
Yes, sure. Typically the lowest cost business seat will cost less (sometimes much less) than the highest cost Economy seat. You can only upgrade from Y to J by buying in these extremely expensive classes in the first place, so unless you want full flexibility it's much better just to pay for the business class seat in the first place.
This isn't just LH that's affected - all the *A airlines that participate in the upgrade scheme have these same rules.
This isn't just LH that's affected - all the *A airlines that participate in the upgrade scheme have these same rules.
Jan 26, 2017, 10:50 am
#1092
Join Date: May 2001
Location: IAD
Posts: 6,148
I have a few M&B miles sitting around from a few years ago when I earned *G through A3's generous program which I would like to use to upgrade an actual A3 flight (FRA-ATH) I have coming up. I no longer have M&B status as I let it lapse when A3 changed their earning policies.
I see from the website that I need to call and request this and I am pretty sure I am booked in an eligible fare class. What are the chances of actually getting an upgrade? Is it processed immediately or at departure?
(I searched but could not locate that info)
I see from the website that I need to call and request this and I am pretty sure I am booked in an eligible fare class. What are the chances of actually getting an upgrade? Is it processed immediately or at departure?
(I searched but could not locate that info)
Jan 27, 2017, 2:20 am
#1093
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PAS, Paros Greece
Programs: A3 *G
Posts: 1,371
I have a few M&B miles sitting around from a few years ago when I earned *G through A3's generous program which I would like to use to upgrade an actual A3 flight (FRA-ATH) I have coming up. I no longer have M&B status as I let it lapse when A3 changed their earning policies.
I see from the website that I need to call and request this and I am pretty sure I am booked in an eligible fare class. What are the chances of actually getting an upgrade? Is it processed immediately or at departure?
(I searched but could not locate that info)
I see from the website that I need to call and request this and I am pretty sure I am booked in an eligible fare class. What are the chances of actually getting an upgrade? Is it processed immediately or at departure?
(I searched but could not locate that info)
You can use their website anyway, to check the availability - just proceed with a dummy booking as if you were using miles to buy a J class flight. If a seat is available there, then it should also be available for an upgrade.
Jan 28, 2017, 12:53 pm
#1095
Community Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,476
I'm afraid we can't tell - S class can book into both fare types. If you look at your trip confirmation and see you have a baggage allowance outside any *G entitlement, then you're on a Flex fare. If no base baggage allowance, you're on a Go Light.