Aegean Airlines Miles&Bonus - How long for my A3*G card to arrive? And what to do while waiting?

To provide another data point, made A3*S on 26 December, and A3*G on 9 January. Today (in Australia), I received the gold package (a large flashy cardboard box which was mostly empty, except for a luggage tag and a very non-detailed program terms booklet. The actual card came stuck to the covering letter.

No *S card was ever received, so they obviously have some sort of lag time between achieving status and doing a sweep to generate new cards.

The card itself had an expiry date of 12/2013, no expiry on the luggage tag.

Moderator note: this thread has been created form the original M&B monster thread. This first post by arahlen appears further down the thread, but so succinctly summarises the experiences that I have moved it to the top of this thread for ease of access.

GoldCircle
A3 forum Mod
__________________________________________________ _______

I am just posting this to summarize my experience of the process and the time frame of achieving status and the physical card. This is in some parts repetitive from previous posts, but maybe of some interest anyway. I can also add some new knowledge to when batches are made.

1. A few days (in most cases 1 day) after your account have reached a qualifying level, there will be an account activity named "Card Upgrade" posted, and your new status will be shown.

2. A few days after your account shows your new status, it will be recognized in *A-system and will print on boarding passes. If you are in the middle of a trip, you may need to ask for re-registration of your FF# and/or boarding passes to be reissued to reflect status.

3. Cards seems to be manufactured in batches once a month. It is however not done on the last day of the month, more like last monday of month. If the "Card Upgrade" activity was posted in your account say 1 week before end of month, your new card should be manufactured in this month's batch. If not, it will be batched one month later.

4. Using the "Lost Card Reissue" function will not speed up the process, since reissued cards are also batched. In fact, the only thing you will accomplish is that you will probably loose your luggage tag, as the replacement card request will cancel the original card shipment (with luggage tag), if they are batched at the same time. Just be patient.

5. Cards are sent as regular mail, class B. Within Europe this means around 1 week of delivery time, worldwide this means several weeks of delivery time. Again, there is no way of speeding up this. So if you live outside of europe and just missed batch date, it can be close to three months before you receive your card.

6. Terms&conditions states that you need both the physical card and boarding pass with M&B status printed on it to enjoy benefits like lounge access. Several reports in this and other threads say that many lounges may let you enter even without the physical card as long as M&B *G is on the BP. Others report that a printed copy of your account page worked well in a discussion. YMMV, but please remember that it is actually not in the rules to let you enter without the physical card.

So they actually have credited my SIN-HKG UA Z flight really quickly now and ive reached *S on A3 now.

What you are saying is that I wont have to expect a *S card
Maybe it took them so long though because you live in Australia?

Does anyone know if I can expect getting a *S blue A3 card and together with that a luggage tag?

The card itself had an expiry date of 12/2013, no expiry on the luggage tag. well... luggage tags usually dont have expiry dates do they?! : ) at least on LH FTL/SEN they dont have expiry dates.

So they actually have credited my SIN-HKG UA Z flight really quickly now and ive reached *S on A3 now.

What you are saying is that I wont have to expect a *S card
Maybe it took them so long though because you live in Australia?

Does anyone know if I can expect getting a *S blue A3 card and together with that a luggage tag?

well... luggage tags usually dont have expiry dates do they?! : ) at least on LH FTL/SEN they dont have expiry dates.

Did anyone ever receive a *S card? I've read a few reports from people getting their *G cards from A3, mostly after quite some time, but don't recall anyone posting that they received a *S card. I'm travelling at the moment, but when I get home I'll have a look at the letter and envelope to see if I can spot any signs of when it was sent.

And correct - I've never seen a luggage tag (I also have TG, QF, DJ and AN luggage tags) and none of them have expiry dates - this was more of a point of fact instead of expressing any surprise on my part.

I have the A3 silver card, received it about one month after I achieved the status. Valid until Dec/2013. Now I've just qualified to gold, so I'm looking forward to receiving the new card and baggage tag.

I recieved my Blue status card today.

They dropped the first letter of my zip code when they mailed it, it's a wonder that it got here in the first place.

Did anyone ever receive a *S card? I've read a few reports from people getting their *G cards from A3, mostly after quite some time, but don't recall anyone posting that they received a *S card. I'm travelling at the moment, but when I get home I'll have a look at the letter and envelope to see if I can spot any signs of when it was sent.


Undated letter, no postmark. The envelope has a stamp that said "Port Payé (French for prepaid) and "ΠΛΗΡΩΜΕΝΟ ΤΕΛΟΣ" (I know no Greek) and a very large B (second class mail?).

..."ΠΛΗΡΩΜΕΝΟ ΤΕΛΟΣ"..."Port Payé"

My account was upgraded to gold on April 14th, received my gold package in the mail yesterday (May 11th). The card doesn't expire till 12/14.

Pretty pathetic package...just comes with card, 1 luggage tag, welcome letter and information booklet. ZERO upgrade certificates or any other Aegean specific bonuses.

My account was upgraded to gold on April 14th, received my gold package in the mail yesterday (May 11th). The card doesn't expire till 12/14.

Pretty pathetic package...just comes with card, 1 luggage tag, welcome letter and information booklet. ZERO upgrade certificates or any other Aegean specific bonuses.
You got to *G faster than one can say "star alliance", and this status goes along with a validity of more than three and a half years. And you call pathetic the fact that you got no upgrade certificates! Check to see how many programmes do give some, and then start complaining. :confused:

Yeah 20k to get *G from scratch is a steal, considering that they give 2x/3x miles on J/F respectively on quite a few carriers. UG certs were never part of the promise on attaining *G with A3, so the card and tag seems in place.

Furthermore, with such a long validity given, I would feel more pleasantly surprised than otherwise.

I guess you guys are right. I'm not really complaining just surprised.

The only other FF program I've used is Aeroplan. When you become gold with them you receive a booklet of upgrades, inflight coupons, duty free vouchers etc.

So that is the only thing I have to compare it to. I am very impressed with the length of status retention though and would much rather have that than the other little perks.

Has anyone had any experience getting into a *A lounge without the card - but with *G on the boarding pass. I made *G by 45 miles with 3 flights - my 4th will be in about a week - wondering if it's likely I can use this approach until the card comes.

Thx.

Has anyone had any experience getting into a *A lounge without the card - but with *G on the boarding pass.
Thx.

I have no direct experience and wish you luck!

(A broad smile and a print-out of your status from the website
http://en.aegeanair.com/milesandbonus/AccountActivity/
may help maximise your chances...)

The A3 lounge dragons in ATH are anything but ...dragons. If you have a print-out of your status, as suggested by WaterfordWanderer, your chances are rather high.

Has anyone had any experience getting into a *A lounge without the card - but with *G on the boarding pass. I made *G by 45 miles with 3 flights - my 4th will be in about a week - wondering if it's likely I can use this approach until the card comes.

Thx.

Varies by airline. Reports suggest that LH, for one, is unsympathetic if you don't have the plastic.

Varies by airline. Reports suggest that LH, for one, is unsympathetic if you don't have the plastic.

varies by dragon, forget airline.

Just show up and be hopeful, and don't be afraid to try at the lounge in the next concourse even if they say no.

And also be prepared that they might say no.

just saw that finally i am gold..took them 5months to credit the miles on LX flights
will i receive a gold package or just a card? how long will it take?

just saw that finally i am gold..took them 5months to credit the miles on LX flights
will i receive a gold package or just a card? how long will it take?

you will recieve a package. It has a booklet, a baggage tag, and a booklet. It can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months based on stories on this forum.

Personally, it took about 5 weeks.

I received my gold card and baggage tag today, this time it only took around a month after my qualifying flight until the card arrived (vs. two months for the blue card). ^

thats great i am awaiting mine what else was enclosed?

My card was upgraded to *G on 6/12. It's now 7/15. I live in NY. Do we think it's time to send a 'lost card - send replacement' request yet?

My card was upgraded to *G on 6/12. It's now 7/15. I live in NY. Do we think it's time to send a 'lost card - send replacement' request yet?

No, give it at least another 2-3 weeks.

No, give it at least another 2-3 weeks.

Thx YuropFlyer....patience is a virtue...that's what people say at least :)

Anybody received any cards in the last days?

Mi Status changed on JUL 1st, but no mail so far...

Card upgraded to *G on 6/12....I'm still looking in the mailbox here in NY waiting for that piece of plastic.....

Anybody received any cards in the last days?

Mi Status changed on JUL 1st, but no mail so far...

My son reached *S back around May 25th but still no card here in Washington, DC.

I received my gold card and baggage tag today, this time it only took around a month after my qualifying flight until the card arrived (vs. two months for the blue card). ^

For me, it has been 8 weeks so far and I am still waiting. I have submitted two lost card claims, but that hasn't produced a card either.

For me, it has been 8 weeks so far and I am still waiting. I have submitted two lost card claims, but that hasn't produced a card either.

Wow....good thing the card is good for 3 years...it might take 2 to get it. I am fast approaching 2 months as well.

Easiest is to make a print out of the screen on your M&B page with the status written on it and double-check while checking-in that your status is printed on the boarding pass. I know some airports don't do that...

I flew out of SIN and the A3*S was printed but on the return flight trom TPE, nothing was indicated...

Anybody received any cards in the last days?

Mi Status changed on JUL 1st, but no mail so far...
I turned gold on June 14 and have not yet received my card. My wife turned silver on June 18 and she has also not yet received her card. I mailed Aegean about it last week, but so-far they chose not to respond. If I find the time I will call them to find out what's going on.

I turned gold on June 14 and have not yet received my card. My wife turned silver on June 18 and she has also not yet received her card. I mailed Aegean about it last week, but so-far they chose not to respond. If I find the time I will call them to find out what's going on.
Maybe they do something with the mail and maybe not, but today I finally received my gold card, valid till 12/2014 :D

Maybe they do something with the mail and maybe not, but today I finally received my gold card, valid till 12/2014 :D

Ok - Switzerland is a bit closer to Greece than NY - hopefully I'm the same batch as I made *G on 6/12. Maybe in a few days......we'll see what the mailman brings.....

Hit gold at the end of May but never received my card. Finally got my replacement card 3 weeks after requesting it.

Well just got my gold card.

Hit Gold on a trip late June and updated to Gold Status on website on July 10.

Gold package and card arrived by post today Aug 15.

Card expires Dec 2014

CF

Maybe they do something with the mail and maybe not, but today I finally received my gold card, valid till 12/2014 :D

hmmm i got my card upgrade on 20th June so i can i will not be on the same patch as you and still needa wait... it has been about 2 months for me..

btw I would like to ask about the lounge access and extra checked bag on UA . I am flying domestic to Vegas today without the A3 G card. Can I still get the free two checked bag in the check in counter and the lounge access only with the boarding pass ?

I will have other trips in Sep and Oct so I would like to see if UA gives the extra checked bag for free without the *G card presented. It will save me quite a lot of money (well 25USD per flight).

hmmm i got my card upgrade on 20th June so i can i will not be on the same patch as you and still needa wait... it has been about 2 months for me..

btw I would like to ask about the lounge access and extra checked bag on UA . I am flying domestic to Vegas today without the A3 G card. Can I still get the free two checked bag in the check in counter and the lounge access only with the boarding pass ?

I will have other trips in Sep and Oct so I would like to see if UA gives the extra checked bag for free without the *G card presented. It will save me quite a lot of money (well 25USD per flight).

Print out the statement from the website, where it's clearly stated that you're A3 *G, that SHOULD do the trick..

Just to add a data point regarding receipt of cards.

My son qualified for Blue status back around 5/25. Just received the card in the mail August 20. We are just outside Washington DC

I received my gold card and baggage tag today, this time it only took around a month after my qualifying flight until the card arrived (vs. two months for the blue card). ^
hi i qualified on the 23of june for A3 G still waiting for my card? any suggestion ? must i apply for lost card? tks

If you want to be on the safe side for sure, then change your FQTV to A3. The *G code will then be in the SQ booking. After check-in you can still change your FQTV to SQ, if you want.

^

On another hand, I reached Blue on July 10, 2011 and received my card this week, not bad. I live in Singapore.

Reached Gold this week as well, hopefully it will follow the same deadline :p

hi i qualified on the 23of june for A3 G still waiting for my card? any suggestion ? must i apply for lost card? tks

I qualified June 16 and after two phone calls and two reapplications, received the card on August 25. FWIW, they were nice on the phone each time. But that is a long time!

εὕρηκα!
Eureka!

I've found the *G card today in my mailbox in Switzerland :) Exp. 12/2014 ^ My card status has beed changed on July, 1st... Received the card today twice (two letters) as I've filed the missing card a few weeks ago... There's no date on the letter, nor on the enveloppe. It has been mailed from Greece (Athene) by B-Mail (2nd class).

Got my 19k points in a single round trip 2 weeks ago, so emailed via the website to find out how long the card would take to ship.

10 days later, I've had a reply that they are appealing to my understanding that printing will take at least 2 months. That's either a mighty slow inkjet sitting in their office or they are overwhelmed with all their new gold members.

I guess it more likely that really they send them to the printers in batches to save costs and I just got unlucky with the timing. In the meantime, I'm going to try the print out thing and see how far that gets me. Which page have people been using and having success with?

iam sitting in Southafrica so the mail sometimes gets lost

I've got a question.
I've reached the 20,000 mile threshold but the status on my account page has not been upgraded!
Does this make sense?

I've got a question.
I've reached the 20,000 mile threshold but the status on my account page has not been upgraded!
Does this make sense?

Yes.

i have my silver not my gold (gold hasnt arrived yet) im status matching to gold.

Of course, then it makes sense.

Some new info if you not already know this. Spoke with Miles&Bonus today. And they are shipping all new card at the end of each month. That's why if you are maximum unlucky you might wait 7-9 weeks.

Hope this info was of relevance!

Thomas

I've got a question.
I've reached the 20,000 mile threshold but the status on my account page has not been upgraded!
Does this make sense?

Yes.

And..... Why?
When do they upgrade the account to gold?

And..... Why?
When do they upgrade the account to gold?

Usually it happens within some days so anything up to a week is perfectly normal. Now if you waited for more than two weeks I would probably go and ask, otherwise you might just want to relax and wait.

And..... Why?
When do they upgrade the account to gold?

Usually it happens within some days so anything up to a week is perfectly normal. Now if you waited for more than two weeks I would probably go and ask, otherwise you might just want to relax and wait.

Got gold!!!

how long does it take for A3 to register for the status upgrade? I shall be flying the HKG-IST-LAX-IST-HKG. I am wondering if i add sidetrips to it, will i get *G before the last leg-and how much time do i need to stay in IST to get those status (I could possibly take A3 to greece from IST so miles get posted quicker.).

usually the weekend?

I know this may have been asked before.
If my profile shows gold, will it appear on my Swiss boarding pass?
Will I be able to enter the lounge if it shows *G on it but I don't have a card?
If not, what will help me?

Many thanks to the pro's that willfully share info.

It will show on your boarding pass (provided there's been enough time since you qualified for Gold for the other airline systems to update - normally takes a few days to a week), but whether you'll be allowed into the lounge is another matter. I have no experience with Swiss but some carriers are very strict on the requirement that you have your Gold membership card with you, even if *G is printed on your boarding pass. Having a print-out of your non-status Aegean card, as well as a print out showing your Gold status will be helpful - be prepared to press the lounge agent to confirm your status and let you in, especially as Aegean isn't well-known (or known at all) among particular *A members.

I know this may have been asked before.
If my profile shows gold, will it appear on my Swiss boarding pass?
Will I be able to enter the lounge if it shows *G on it but I don't have a card?
If not, what will help me?

Many thanks to the pro's that willfully share info.

Swiss ex ZRH generally don't require your card, whether you're at the Senator Lounge in the main terminal or the Panorama Lounge in E. As long as "STAR GOLD" is printed on your BP, you'll be ok. If they ask for your card, just tell them you don't have it yet. Nothing to worry about though.

I know this may have been asked before.
If my profile shows gold, will it appear on my Swiss boarding pass?
Will I be able to enter the lounge if it shows *G on it but I don't have a card?
If not, what will help me?

Many thanks to the pro's that willfully share info.

Swiss ex ZRH generally don't require your card, whether you're at the Senator Lounge in the main terminal or the Panorama Lounge in E. As long as "STAR GOLD" is printed on your BP, you'll be ok. If they ask for your card, just tell them you don't have it yet. Nothing to worry about though.

It's JFK.

Anyone know how the actual A3 Gold card looks like? Is it golden or brown'ish as shown on their website? Also how about the tag, does it have the name and card nr printed on it?

Anyone know how the actual A3 Gold card looks like? Is it golden or brown'ish as shown on their website? Also how about the tag, does it have the name and card nr printed on it?

The Gold card has a slightly more gold'ish hue than it appears on the website, but it's definitely a "muddy gold" (if that makes sense) rather than a brilliant gold.

But IMHO, so long as it gets me into *G lounges for the next 3 years on 19K miles flown, I'm happy with it being any colour of the rainbow!

The Gold card has a slightly more gold'ish hue than it appears on the website, but it's definitely a "muddy gold" (if that makes sense) rather than a brilliant gold.

But IMHO, so long as it gets me into *G lounges for the next 3 years on 19K miles flown, I'm happy with it being any colour of the rainbow!

will take a photo tonight for ya. Just reieved mine on friday and its valid till 2014! w00t!

will take a photo tonight for ya. Just reieved mine on friday and its valid till 2014! w00t!

Feel free to post it up then!

So your status will last until 12/2014? Does all card last until the end of each eyar? I'll qualify for Gold on Jan 03 2012, does that mean my card will be valid thru 12/2015?

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6209168938_963b64fa38.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaell116/6209168938/)
aegeangoldblur (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaell116/6209168938/) by Kaell116 (http://www.flickr.com/people/kaell116/), on Flickr


As you would expect ive blurred out my number, but i dont mind about my name being out there.

My status upgrades to Blue on October 25th, or well the 26th. Anyways, since it's the end of the month any chance that I'll get my card faster then the 2 months. I.e if it goes in the same batch?

My status upgrades to Blue on October 25th, or well the 26th. Anyways, since it's the end of the month any chance that I'll get my card faster then the 2 months. I.e if it goes in the same batch?

For what I can gather they batch everything from the previous month for printing then send it out at the end of the next month. So I would guess that they will send it out to you at the end of November. I qualified A3*G on 23rd August and received my card today!:p

Thanks for all the advice from FT

I qualified A3*G on 23rd August and received my card today!:p

I see, yes that'll be fine then. As long as I have my Blue card for the next flight in December. I'll be qualifying to *G on Jan 3 2012, so I'm guessing the Gold card won't show up until mid march :P

I see, yes that'll be fine then. As long as I have my Blue card for the next flight in December. I'll be qualifying to *G on Jan 3 2012, so I'm guessing the Gold card won't show up until mid march :P
Just out of interest, what does your blue card bring you as additional benefits for your December flight? If it is the US baggage allowance, you would also get that without the card as you will be in the system as a *S member by then.

By the way, my wife qualified for blue mid June and she is still waiting for her card (we reported it as lost by now, maybe that helps).

How long does it take for the membership page to upgrade the membership status?

How long does it take for the membership page to upgrade the membership status?

3-4 days.

Finally received my *G card!

For info:
Status updated to *G on August 26, 2011, card received today October 20th.
Validity printed on card: 12/2014

Perfect for my flight tomorrow on SQ ^

My status upgrades to Blue on October 25th, or well the 26th. Anyways, since it's the end of the month any chance that I'll get my card faster then the 2 months. I.e if it goes in the same batch?

Hi! Just got upgraded to *G on October 21 on my first leg MNL-BKK. It took 4 days to reflect in my status. Luckily, my flight back was on the 28th. I didn't have my gold card yet. What I did was I printed a screenshot of my Gold status under A3, presented it with my Silver card to the check-in, lounge, and boarding in Suvarnabhumi. It worked! Got all benefits of a gold member. :)

Hi! Just got upgraded to *G on October 21 on my first leg MNL-BKK. It took 4 days to reflect in my status. Luckily, my flight back was on the 28th. I didn't have my gold card yet. What I did was I printed a screenshot of my Gold status under A3, presented it with my Silver card to the check-in, lounge, and boarding in Suvarnabhumi. It worked! Got all benefits of a gold member. :)

Yep, taking a printout of the account status works on LH as well, and LH is famous for its strictness.

6. Terms&conditions states that you need both the physical card and boarding pass with M&B status printed on it to enjoy benefits like lounge access. Some lounges may let you enter even without the physical card as long as M&B *G is on the BP. A printed copy of your account page may help if there is a discussion, but please remember that it is actually not in the rules to let you enter without the physical card.



I have never had an issue with a printed copy of my status. My card got lost in the mail, so it took ~6 months, and during that 6 months, my *G wasn't questioned once.

...
6. Terms&conditions states that you need both the physical card and boarding pass with M&B status printed on it to enjoy benefits like lounge access. Some lounges may let you enter even without the physical card as long as M&B *G is on the BP. A printed copy of your account page may help if there is a discussion, but please remember that it is actually not in the rules to let you enter without the physical card...

As a matter of fact, even at the A3 lounge in ATH, you do have to show both BC and card, whereby the latter is always swiped. And this, even when you are recognized by the ladies at the desk! Seems to be a requirement of their system. I wonder what exactly they do when you present them with a copy of the card or the statement... My guess is that they either "enter you" manually or they just don't register your presence. Nevertheless, as others said, you are always admitted if entitled to, as I remember from the time (pre-*A) when my card was damaged and could not be swiped.

Been a month now, and still no card. My status was upgraded on the 27th october, and the card should've been sent out the following monday. But still no card...

Been a month now, and still no card. My status was upgraded on the 27th october, and the card should've been sent out the following monday. But still no card...

I think your card will arrive by end of next week. It was probably produced this week, not in october.

Just a hint to anyone thinking of going through the lost card proceedure to try to speed up the arrival of their gold card - DON'T
Not only does it not speed it up as the printing is batched, if you request a replacement you may end up not receiving a luggage tag (as discovered in this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/aegean-airlines-miles-bonus/1271837-aegean-gold-luggage-tags.html))

I almost waited for 2 months so don't be impatient, just sit back and relax, breathe. In the meantime, just bring a print of your screen showing your status. From all the experiences posted on here, it works fine so don't worry. It's just a piece of plastic :p

I almost waited for 2 months so don't be impatient, just sit back and relax, breathe. In the meantime, just bring a print of your screen showing your status. From all the experiences posted on here, it works fine so don't worry. It's just a piece of plastic :p

Yes, I'll have lots of travel in JAN-FEB, but only hit A3 *G at the end of DEC, so most probably I'll have only a printout for around 15 flights (mostly to Asia) - will report how it went, so far the only place they knew that Aegean is A3 was in ATH :D

Yes, I'll have lots of travel in JAN-FEB, but only hit A3 *G at the end of DEC, so most probably I'll have only a printout for around 15 flights (mostly to Asia) - will report how it went, so far the only place they knew that Aegean is A3 was in ATH :D

The easiest is to give them the airline code directly. Here in Asia, when you say "Aegean" they look at me, frowning...:D So I just tell them "A3 + number" and suddenly it's "aaah yes I see it now" ^

My card arrived last week. It was earned on flights in early September, but I could not find a date or postmark.

Hey all. Hoping someone could confirm if my scheme will work!
Like everyone here, i have jumped on the A3 Mileage program in an effort to gain Gold SA status. Silver is not cutting it anymore.!
I will be flying from MEL-LAX (on UA) and then completing 3-4 trips within the US (on SA carriers) - ive worked out that the total mileage should suffice to meat the A3*GOLD status. (i.e 19000 miles - given i already have 1K from just joining)
Now between reaching that status and returning to MEL - i plan to leave about 1 week - (in an effort to ensure that my A3* GOLD status kicks in). I always do big shopping sprees in the US - so the checked baggage privileges that accompany SA GOLD status is what i primarily am after.

Questions:
1/. Is 1 week enough time for my A3 status to appear online as SA GOLD status?

2/. If so, will a print out showing this status, suffice during check-in at UA so that they can give me the entitled 3 checked baggage's?

Can anyone confirm or raise concern? Thanks.

Hey all. Hoping someone could confirm if my scheme will work!
Like everyone here, i have jumped on the A3 Mileage program in an effort to gain Gold SA status. Silver is not cutting it anymore.!
I will be flying from MEL-LAX (on UA) and then completing 3-4 trips within the US (on SA carriers) - ive worked out that the total mileage should suffice to meat the A3*GOLD status. (i.e 19000 miles - given i already have 1K from just joining)
Now between reaching that status and returning to MEL - i plan to leave about 1 week - (in an effort to ensure that my A3* GOLD status kicks in). I always do big shopping sprees in the US - so the checked baggage privileges that accompany SA GOLD status is what i primarily am after.

Questions:
1/. Is 1 week enough time for my A3 status to appear online as SA GOLD status?

2/. If so, will a print out showing this status, suffice during check-in at UA so that they can give me the entitled 3 checked baggage's?

Can anyone confirm or raise concern? Thanks.
yes, and yes.

I sugest that you reenter your A3 number at checkin, since the number might not be updated in your PNR yet...

yes, and yes.

I sugest that you reenter your A3 number at checkin, since the number might not be updated in your PNR yet...

Yes, as long as everything goes well, you should be good with a printout..

However, if they decide that you might have to manually recredit your miles, as there was anything wrong (which might very well not have been A3's fault, but of your carrier, or somewhere an IT glitch) then it might get quite a discussion if you're allowed more luggage. I would be prepared by having a printout + flown BP's, if they don't get added automatically, to at least have a chance that they let you check in if something goes wrong without additional fees, however, that would just be an emergency solution and definitely taking time to convince them, and it might just as well fail.

Thanks for the reply guys! Hopefully it all works out!

Hey all. Hoping someone could confirm if my scheme will work!
Like everyone here, i have jumped on the A3 Mileage program in an effort to gain Gold SA status. Silver is not cutting it anymore.!
I will be flying from MEL-LAX (on UA) and then completing 3-4 trips within the US (on SA carriers) - ive worked out that the total mileage should suffice to meat the A3*GOLD status. (i.e 19000 miles - given i already have 1K from just joining)
Now between reaching that status and returning to MEL - i plan to leave about 1 week - (in an effort to ensure that my A3* GOLD status kicks in). I always do big shopping sprees in the US - so the checked baggage privileges that accompany SA GOLD status is what i primarily am after.

Questions:
1/. Is 1 week enough time for my A3 status to appear online as SA GOLD status?

2/. If so, will a print out showing this status, suffice during check-in at UA so that they can give me the entitled 3 checked baggage's?

Can anyone confirm or raise concern? Thanks.

My calculations are erred. The A3* miles accrual works brilliantly well when you are on a Y class coded ticket -i.e. with UA. Im afraid that my ticket will be coded otherwise. Does anyone know how to get a Y or B class ticket ?!?!? And more importantly how much more will that cost!?!?!?!?!

My calculations are erred. The A3* miles accrual works brilliantly well when you are on a Y class coded ticket -i.e. with UA. Im afraid that my ticket will be coded otherwise. Does anyone know how to get a Y or B class ticket ?!?!? And more importantly how much more will that cost!?!?!?!?!

The cheapest Y or B ticket will be in multiples of the cheaper tickets (usually 3 to 4 times as much as a discount ticket)

My calculations are erred. The A3* miles accrual works brilliantly well when you are on a Y class coded ticket -i.e. with UA. Im afraid that my ticket will be coded otherwise. Does anyone know how to get a Y or B class ticket ?!?!? And more importantly how much more will that cost!?!?!?!?!

When crediting to A3 from a *A partner, it is always important to check booking class, as many classes are not eligble for accrual. On the other hand, some classes earn very well. Make the earnings table over at aegeanair.com your friend! (US seems to earn 100% on most econ fares, UA has more limited earnings)

For expertice on how to get tickets and booking classes on UA and US, I think you need to ask in another forum!

Perhaps you can try a MR?

Perhaps you can try a MR?

Sorry "MR"?

Mileage Run

See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mileage-run-discussion-627/

I flew NZ to LAX and the difference in price to get full Y was over $800.

UA and AC have similar pricing.

Best thing to do is call the airline and get quoted a price for the appropriate class.

Also check with TG, SQ and OZ they can sometimes have a promo fare to the US via their home city

My tiered miles would have expired if i don't fly before dec 13. Hence i flied on dec 10 and the flight allowed me to hit 20000 tiered miles. On dec 12, I saw the tiered miles 20000 miles were shown in my account. However they didn't update my gold status. Now it's dec 16, I still haven't seen the change of my status while the tiered miles were decreased to about 10000 miles.

So will my account be upgraded to gold eventually? When will it happen?

My tiered miles would have expired if i don't fly before dec 13. Hence i flied on dec 10 and the flight allowed me to hit 20000 tiered miles. On dec 12, I saw the tiered miles 20000 miles were shown in my account. However they didn't update my gold status. Now it's dec 16, I still haven't seen the change of my status while the tiered miles were decreased to about 10000 miles.

So will my account be upgraded to gold eventually? When will it happen?

Call A3's call center...

That's really all you can do at this point.

My tiered miles would have expired if i don't fly before dec 13. Hence i flied on dec 10 and the flight allowed me to hit 20000 tiered miles. On dec 12, I saw the tiered miles 20000 miles were shown in my account. However they didn't update my gold status. Now it's dec 16, I still haven't seen the change of my status while the tiered miles were decreased to about 10000 miles.

So will my account be upgraded to gold eventually? When will it happen?

It took me a few days too to have the account being upgraded from one level to the other after the miles were credited. Don't panik. Either call their call center, or better yet, wait after the weekend and if it hasn't been updated by then, call then. Unless you absolutely need to have the status right now, it's not much to worry about, it will eventually be correct.

It took me a few days too to have the account being upgraded from one level to the other after the miles were credited. Don't panik. Either call their call center, or better yet, wait after the weekend and if it hasn't been updated by then, call then. Unless you absolutely need to have the status right now, it's not much to worry about, it will eventually be correct.

I don't actually think that this will happen in OPs case - I think it is absolutely a good idea to be panicking right now...

What happened is basically A3's system thinks that OP didn't meet *G requirements in time. Without manual intervention, this won't be fixed...

A3 are normally very good about responding to emails (there is a link to send a mail when logged into Miles&Bonus online) - if calling does not get a resolution then I would try emailing (at least with email you have a record).

The credit time limit requirements should refer to flight dates not posting dates, but if posting was delayed or there were posting issues manual intervention may be required.

Call or email them. They will call you back if needed. They are pretty good with customer service. Their English is also good enough to handle all your major issues.

My calculations are erred. The A3* miles accrual works brilliantly well when you are on a Y class coded ticket -i.e. with UA. Im afraid that my ticket will be coded otherwise. Does anyone know how to get a Y or B class ticket ?!?!? And more importantly how much more will that cost!?!?!?!?!

Ask a TA.

It is good to read this discussion. I qualified for Blue on 17 November and Gold as of 28 December. Returned home from BKK to PDX and found nothing in the mail. I emailed the airline, but now it appears from the above information that I am not alone and should not be too concerned. I had already though of the copy of statement and have not had difficulty in the past with such ploys.

Has anyone had any experience getting into a *A lounge without the card - but with *G on the boarding pass. I made *G by 45 miles with 3 flights - my 4th will be in about a week - wondering if it's likely I can use this approach until the card comes.

Thx.Don't even think about it. This cannot be guaranteed. Avoid embarrassing conversations at lounge entrances by always having your Gold card with you. Recently lounge dragons tried to refuse me at 2 lounges in 2 countries, until I found the card in my luggage. In both cases my number and *G status were clearly on my BP. Just don't risk it.

Don't even think about it. This cannot be guaranteed. Avoid embarrassing conversations at lounge entrances by always having your Gold card with you. Recently lounge dragons tried to refuse me at 2 lounges in 2 countries, until I found the card in my luggage. In both cases my number and *G status were clearly on my BP. Just don't risk it.

I think you're a bit too negative about this one. It's certainly not always possible to enter a lounge without the *G card, yes, but it's not like it's always and everywhere like this. If he has to fly anyway, I in his position would definitely try it out. Sure, don't arrive 3 hours in advance to check out the lounge under such circumstances, but why should he not have a quick try?

why not just bring a printout of account status?

A printout has always been accepted on the occasions I have not had my card.

It worked for me 4 days ago at the Senator lounge at FRA with just the printout (B41 Lounge). So it should work if you have the printout but do not have the card.

The print out worked fine for me at the SIA lounge at LHR this week

just jumped to gold.

I moved though, so question is: How do I make sure the card gets to the right place? I doubt they have already sent it so I might just manage by editing the details on the M&B website?

cheers.

Fairly new here. Been following the forums for a while, have gotten some great information here and thought I would add my experience with card arrival. Qualified for gold in early-December (Card Upgrade Posted Dec 6) and recieved my Gold Card sometime late last week (around Jan 13) in California. Seems quite fast based on the times reported on this thread. Maybe the printing date changed to earlier in the month? Just another note, I never recieved a Blue card despite qualifying for that level in late-October.

Also, before my card arrived, I was able to enter the Air Canada International MLL at YVR with just A3*G on my BP. I was traveling on an AC flight in Y.

Since the M&B number should remain the same?! Do you think that if I take the old blue card with me to the airport and give it to the lounge agent, they can check with that whether I am *G ???

Gona be flying HKG-SIN next week in Y and I would like to use the UA lounge.

Since the M&B number should remain the same?! Do you think that if I take the old blue card with me to the airport and give it to the lounge agent, they can check with that whether I am *G ???

Gona be flying HKG-SIN next week in Y and I would like to use the UA lounge.

Usually they can check, and if the BP does correctly show *G you SHOULD be fine. Experience is saying so, but of course a dragon having an especially bad day might think otherwise. If you credit to another program, ie not A3 on that flight, and your BP says *S or nothing at all, it might be slightly more difficult without a *G card, but it should still be possible.

Back at work after three weeks away and the coveted Gold card has arrived (in the same envelope as the Blue Card btw) together with a luggage tag. From 18th October to around 12th January. Expiry is December 2014, so really a good deal, and very happy with A3 service. Back in the air with Thai J to LHR, so will be crediting to A3.:cool:

Waited just over a month for the card (got Gold just before Xmas 2011). During that time withouot the card I was able to get in the FRA (Domestic - Senator and International lounges) and several US ones without an issue.
Just printed out my Aegean statement (showing GOLD). In addition, when asked for the card I always said that my "wallet was recently lost and I'm waiting for my replacment"
Also, GOLD expiry date says Dec 2015 - I'm super happy! :D

Waited just over a month for the card (got Gold just before Xmas 2011). During that time withouot the card I was able to get in the FRA (Domestic - Senator and International lounges) and several US ones without an issue.
Just printed out my Aegean statement (showing GOLD). In addition, when asked for the card I always said that my "wallet was recently lost and I'm waiting for my replacment"
Also, GOLD expiry date says Dec 2015 - I'm super happy! :D
This is great news. I'm waiting for my card.

Waited just over a month for the card (got Gold just before Xmas 2011). During that time withouot the card I was able to get in the FRA (Domestic - Senator and International lounges) and several US ones without an issue.
Just printed out my Aegean statement (showing GOLD). In addition, when asked for the card I always said that my "wallet was recently lost and I'm waiting for my replacment"
Also, GOLD expiry date says Dec 2015 - I'm super happy! :D

I also qualified for gold a few days before Xmas and am waiting for my card out here in Poland. I'm leaving Tuesday on a trip, so I hope I get it in time. I will print off the statement - hopefully I can use the lounges along the way.

Spoke too soon.
The card came in today - 5 weeks after my upgrade on the site (got gold right before xmas and mailed to PL) Card is valid till 12/2015

It came via standard mail. I took some photos of what was enclosed for all those who are wondering.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cpYyaGnakhg/TybORnfNotI/AAAAAAAAGhE/Yna1OXjxwPI/s288/2012-01-30%252017.45.13.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--6EL7_hVtfA/TybPlKgDg8I/AAAAAAAAGhM/U-184xrK9-o/s640/2012-01-30%252018.06.26.jpg

Does the card say A3 on it anywhere ?

RB

I don't see a code - A3 on the card but the check-in agents might be able to pick it up when they swipe the card?

It doesn't say A3 anywhere on the card. As long as it is swiped, there is no problem.
For OLCI of some *A carriers aswell as manually adding the number to BP at check in desk can sometimes present a problem.
In this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/aegean-airlines-miles-bonus/1284684-difficulty-entering-m-b-membership-number-partner-airlines.html) there are some tips on how to do it, and people have also shared some amusing stories of the surprised looks of check in staff!

Wirelessly posted (Android: Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 2.3.4; en-gb; GT-I9100 Build/GINGERBREAD) AppleWebKit/533.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/533.1)

There is no a3 from what I saw on the card, only aegean

Spoke too soon.
The card came in today - 5 weeks after my upgrade on the site (got gold right before xmas and mailed to PL) Card is valid till 12/2015

It came via standard mail. I took some photos of what was enclosed for all those who are wondering.

-


Thank you Jason8612! Finally someone has had the time to upload a picture! Waiting forward to receiving mine, unfortunately I have recently moved to HKG and my address is still listed in Europe... I think ill ask for the lost card soon to my HKG address.

Tried accessing the UA lounge in HKG on a flight to SIN, had my LH # on the BP and still got in the lounge after taking out my laptop and proving to the lounge dragon that I could log in to the A3 M&B site with the number on the Blue card I showed her...
On the return leg I easily got into the Krisflyer Gold lounge in SIN with my A3*G # on the BP and the UA lounge voucher handed to me at the checkin!

cheers.

My TK flight on 01 February got posted on my A3 M&B account today, 06 February, pushing me past 20,000 for Gold, which shows on the M&B account statement already. Quite efficient. Have sent a message to Aegean via Contact link asking for quick mailing of Gold card.

Will see how soon the card arrives and will report back, as well as whether there is a reply to my Contact message.

Thanks to those members here in Flyertalk who helped me see my way through the special TK price for HKG/IST/LAX/IST/HKG back in May 2011 and pointed the way to the Aegean FF program for achieving Gold in one round trip, Comfort Class Prem Econ for US$802. This whole thing would never have happened without Flyertalk and its knowledgeable members.

One week and no reply from A3; sent follow up message asking if they ever reply to any "Contact Me" messages. Why bother to have a Contact Me link if they never reply or acknowledge the message?

Just received the Blue card today 16 February after qualifying for Blue around 21 January or so. Still waiting for Gold card which qualified on 06 February.

Just received reply from M&B that my gold card will be mailed within next 20 days from today, which is 10 days after mileage posted qualifying me for Gold card. So total 30 days max for Gold card to be mailed.

Just another data point. I qualified for the Gold Card on 15 January (flights posted just a couple days later), and I received my card yesterday, on 14 February, with an expiration of 12/2015. :) I live in southern Hungary, so I guess it didn't have to travel too far to get here from Greece.

I qualified for Blue status on 5 January, and never received a Blue Card from Aegean for it, not that I would need it anyway.

Another card arrived here. Past 20k 4 Jan, updated online 9 Jan. Got the card today, base VIE

Cool. Looks like a 5 week for EU members..

Goody. Mine should be in the mail as I qualified in early January.

Me too - qualified on new years eve and hoping mine and my wifes cards will arrive before we next fly at the end of the month!

Qualified at the end of the first week in January - card arrived yesterday. valid until end 2015!

Qualified mid-Jan, got it Mid-Feb! EXP: 12/2015!

Both self & MrsF Qualified 18th Jan

Both Cards arrived 20th Feb (UK)

EXP 12/2015

Took TG econ class on Wed 22 Feb., used my A3 summary statement from website to enter TG biz lounge at HKG, and also Sun 26 Feb at BKK to enter TG lounge. No problems at either end.

TK flight taken 01 Feb., miles posted on A3 M&B 06 Feb., Gold Card received from A3 during 06 - 09 March (away on trip). Terrific response, but even without actual G Card, able to enter TG Biz lounge by showing printout of my M&B summary statement showing Gold status. New G card showing expiration 12/2015

Card upgraded 24.1. arrived 22.2., valid 12/15. UK

Card upgraded 24.1. arrived 22.2., valid 12/05. UK

?
Did you mean 12/2015?

*G-flight taken 30th Jan, status upgraded 2nd Feb. Gold card arrived today, 27th February, to Helsinki, Finland ^

My wife turned gold early December last year. As she did not receive her card in January, she initiated the "reissue lost card". The "replacement" card arrived yesterday, valid through 12/15.

Actually the same thing happened with her blue card, she never got the original one, only a replacement one.

Does anyone know if it is possible to request a replacement luggage tag as well, as the replacement gold card is just the card?

My wife turned gold early December last year. As she did not receive her card in January, she initiated the "reissue lost card". The "replacement" card arrived yesterday, valid through 12/15.

Actually the same thing happened with her blue card, she never got the original one, only a replacement one.

Does anyone know if it is possible to request a replacement luggage tag as well, as the replacement gold card is just the card?
gotta love tha line "my wife turned gold"

Achieved gold Jan. 9th upon arrival in IST. Carried through to HKG the same day and at the Ethiopian check in at HKG that evening I was handed my boarding pass with gold status on it. Very impressed.

Received Gold card Feb. 28th in Canada.

My wife turned gold early December last year. As she did not receive her card in January, she initiated the "reissue lost card". The "replacement" card arrived yesterday, valid through 12/15.
Does anyone know if it is possible to request a replacement luggage tag as well, as the replacement gold card is just the card?

When you do the replacement card order - you just get that a replacement card. Previously, before the arcane card delivery timing was understood, a number of us did the replacement card thing while waiting, to try to hurry the system up. It turns out that that cancelled our membership pack/card delivery and just gave us a "replacement" card alone after the next print run. So we didn't ever get the luggage tag. Someone did contact A3 by email and eventually they kindly sent out a luggage tag - though people asking for additional tags got turned down - here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/17514006-post19.html) is a post from that thread about it.

I'm planning to fly DUS-ARN on SAS on sunday. I haven't received my card, yet so will I be able to enter the LH Lounge with a printout and *G on the BP? I know SAS don't ask for the plastic at reception, but I've heard LH are very strict about it. Any chance to talk it through with the staff? Have anyone of you managed to enter a LH Lounge without the plastic?

I'm planning to fly DUS-ARN on SAS on sunday. I haven't received my card, yet so will I be able to enter the LH Lounge with a printout and *G on the BP? I know SAS don't ask for the plastic at reception, but I've heard LH are very strict about it. Any chance to talk it through with the staff? Have anyone of you managed to enter a LH Lounge without the plastic?

I had managed to enter the SEN lounges with a printout of my Miles&Bonus statement - imho 3 times, but I also get denied entry twice. I was on business class at that moment, and it was only for 30min or so, so I didn't bother to discuss and just went into the (less fancy :D ) business part of the lounge.. So it's probably hit or miss if they let you enter (the more clearly the statement, the better I guess) and if not, maybe asking for a supervisor helps (or going to another lounge in case there are more than one you could enter)

Try to bring the printout of your statement. You might be able also to print a copy of your card from the Aegean website; I remember doing this when I first joined in order to have a record of my number but I haven't tried to print an elite card from A3. Be very nice to the dragons and hope for the best.

I qualified for

*S mid January - card arrived mid February
*G 30th January - card arrived 2nd March

EXP: 12/2015

Conclusion:

4-5 weeks for EU citizen

I'm planning to fly DUS-ARN on SAS on sunday. I haven't received my card, yet so will I be able to enter the LH Lounge with a printout and *G on the BP? I know SAS don't ask for the plastic at reception, but I've heard LH are very strict about it. Any chance to talk it through with the staff? Have anyone of you managed to enter a LH Lounge without the plastic?

LH SEN lounges, certainly at the major hubs, have a go/no-go readout on their screens (which you see as well) which pops up after scanning the boarding pass - so if your BP shows *G, you certainly won't have an issue at most lounges. If the computer says yes, they don't ask for a card.

Sometimes this is also useful is arguing with an agent - I had one (wrongly) tell me I couldn't bring a guest in who was travelling on a different LH flight to me, whilst his screen was indicating entry was valid. Being LH, no apology - just "he can only be in the lounge whilst you are, then". I took unusually great delight in pointing out my flight left 30 minutes later than my guest's, so that really wasn't a problem ...

The last time I flew through DUS, last October, I think they still used a manual check, but it seems likely that has been changed by now. In the non-hub airports I find LH staff to be more helpful, so I imagine producing the printout will work if nothing else does. I've generally not found them to be as strict as their reputation suggests ...

Be warned that the SEN lounge in DUS isn't anything spectacular - food selection certainly won't be as good as the new lounge in FRA - so don't rely it for eating purposes.

...Be warned that the SEN lounge in DUS isn't anything spectacular - food selection certainly won't be as good as the new lounge in FRA - so don't rely it for eating purposes.I don't really think that this belongs in this thread, but even if the food in the DUS SEN lounge was a little worse than in FRA, at least you didn't feel like in the Tokyo underground during rush hour. That Schengen lounge is the only reason for which I avoid flying through FRA, and thus LH misses almost all of my long haul flights.

I qualified for

*S mid January - card arrived mid February
*G 30th January - card arrived 2nd March

EXP: 12/2015

Conclusion:

4-5 weeks for EU citizen

I qualified (i.e. upgrade from Blue to Gold) end of February. Card arrived mid March. Less than 4 weeks. EU citizen as well.

I was able to use *G benefits before the physical arrived since it showed the status on all my BP's two days after the upgrade from Blue to Gold.

Was actually surprised by how professional the welcome kit was... i guess they have lots of new *G members at A3. Wonder when/if they'll start offering a premium hotline for Gold members; or special offers for elite members after login (similar to M&M FTL and SEN) :cool:

My *Gold card finally arrived today, good through December 2015. I qualified on January 8 and the miles posted within a few days. I guess almost four years of *Gold are worth the wait. (Yes, I realize that I must post some miles to my account to keep my status active.)

I ended up not going to DUS or MUC since there were no tickets available for the weekend. Instead I ended up in Brussels via CPH. At the SAS Lounges both in ARN, BRU and CPH the agent didn't bother with asking for a card, just scanning the BP and I was through. In BRU however they asked for my card, and I just showed my statement on my iPhone. All they needed was to type the card number into the computer, and I was free to enter.

*G Policies state that only a valid proof of status is needed, i.e either physical card or a statement to enter.

Yeah, supposedly...I guess the real issue is when trying to enter contract lounges without the card in hand :(

I qualified for A3 *G on Mar 19 and am still waiting for the Gold card right now. Almost 2 months. I will give it another few weeks (don't need it urgently right now, still got other *G cards) and if nothing shows by Mid-May I 'll ask for a replacement card.

I know I'm based in SIN and it could take a tad longer, but the A3 *S card arrived withing 4 weeks time.

I qualified for A3 *G on Mar 19 and am still waiting for the Gold card right now. Almost 2 months.

One month and 5 days is more "one month" than "two months" :)

I know I'm based in SIN and it could take a tad longer, but the A3 *S card arrived withing 4 weeks time.

As they are sent once a month, if they didn't include you in the end-of-March shipment, you shouldn't expect it to be sent before end of April.

I qualified for A3 *G on Mar 19 and am still waiting for the Gold card right now. Almost 2 months. I will give it another few weeks (don't need it urgently right now, still got other *G cards) and if nothing shows by Mid-May I 'll ask for a replacement card.

I know I'm based in SIN and it could take a tad longer, but the A3 *S card arrived withing 4 weeks time.

If you qualified (qualified or "GOLD" shown?) on 19th March, you are just around the edge for the monthly printing of the cards. If you were lucky, you should receive the card within the next days (EU residents reach the card usually after 2-3 weeks of month starts, Asia might take another week or so..) - if not, it will take 1 more month. I would just have patience, and only re-order on 1st June.

Especially since asking for a replacement card early could cancel your pending card.

I qualified for A3 *G on Mar 19 and am still waiting for the Gold card right now. Almost 2 months. I will give it another few weeks (don't need it urgently right now, still got other *G cards) and if nothing shows by Mid-May I 'll ask for a replacement card.

I know I'm based in SIN and it could take a tad longer, but the A3 *S card arrived withing 4 weeks time.

Most likely they will send you as part of April batch. Similar to my case. I qualified March last year and did not get my card until early May

I qualified for A3 *G on Mar 19 and am still waiting for the Gold card right now. Almost 2 months. I will give it another few weeks (don't need it urgently right now, still got other *G cards) and if nothing shows by Mid-May I 'll ask for a replacement card.

I know I'm based in SIN and it could take a tad longer, but the A3 *S card arrived withing 4 weeks time.
Remember that if you ask for the replacement card and it cancels your current card in process, others here have reported that you do not get the luggage tags, only the replacement card. I would give it more time. Mailing mine to the USA seemed to take about two months.

My son got the Gold card upgrade on April 4, 2012 and he got his gold packet delivered today (April 25). We're on the East Coast - USA. This must be a record for speedy delivery!

Both MrsNWIFlyer and I qualified on 23rd March, and the cards were received today in the UK. Seems to lend credence to the theory that that is a single printing run each month given bevoinva's son's experience.

Qualified on 18th March - Blue Card arrived in Canada today - I dont plan on Gold until last days of December, so hopefully when that card comes on early 2013, it will have an expiry of Dec.2016.

Qualified on 18th March - Blue Card arrived in Canada today - I dont plan on Gold until last days of December, so hopefully when that card comes on early 2013, it will have an expiry of Dec.2016.

Card expiry doesn't really say anything, again! Your account will stay active as long as you're posting one flight within 36 weeks of the last flight posted. (Hotel stays and other non-flight activities don't keep it active)

If you fail to fly within 36 months, your account will become deactivated, and you'll have time until the end of the year to retrocredit a flight you'd taken in the past (within the 36 months) to re-activate it. That's why you always get 3 years + till years end when you reach your status. So don't think you can fly as late as Dec 2015 to renew your account, it will be gone if you do so. At least one activity every 36 months to keep it active is required.

My experience has been a little different. I qualified for Blue on Feb 15 and for Gold on March 21. Today I received a Blue Card in the mail.

Hopefully Gold will come soon. Is it just an envelope as well or is it a package of some kind?

Achieved Gold April 2, received Gold Card (and baggage tag) April 26. Card good until 12/2015.

Qualified on 18th March - Blue Card arrived in Canada today - I dont plan on Gold until last days of December, so hopefully when that card comes on early 2013, it will have an expiry of Dec.2016.

Card expiry doesn't really say anything, again! Your account will stay active as long as you're posting one flight within 36 weeks of the last flight posted. (Hotel stays and other non-flight activities don't keep it active)

If you fail to fly within 36 months, your account will become deactivated, and you'll have time until the end of the year to retrocredit a flight you'd taken in the past (within the 36 months) to re-activate it. That's why you always get 3 years + till years end when you reach your status. So don't think you can fly as late as Dec 2015 to renew your account, it will be gone if you do so. At least one activity every 36 months to keep it active is required.

I can't understand what YuropFlyer tried to tell us.

Your account will stay active as long as you're posting one flight within 36 weeks of the last flight posted.

I dont plan on Gold until last days of December

36 weeks of the last flight (in Dec 2012) posted should be Dec 2015. It means rankourabu should fly at least once before Dec 2015.

But I don't understand why YuropFlyer told that

So don't think you can fly as late as Dec 2015 to renew your account, it will be gone if you do so. At least one activity every 36 months to keep it active is required.

I think flying by Dec 2015 should be okay. :confused:
Did I miss something?

If you don't credit every 36 months, your account will be canceled. So, even if a card issued in December 2012 has a 12/2016 expiration date, he will have to credit a flight in December 2012+36 months = December 2015 at the latest.

If you don't credit every 36 months, your account will be canceled. So, even if a card issued in December 2012 has a 12/2016 expiration date, he will have to credit a flight in December 2012+36 months = December 2015 at the latest.

I understand that card validity/keeping account active are not the same

I actually thought it was if you dont credit within 12 months :eek: to keep account (and *Gold) active.

I understand that card validity/keeping account active are not the same

I actually thought it was if you dont credit within 12 months :eek: to keep account (and *Gold) active.
My understanding is that the rule is that you must credit a flight within 24 months but have an additional 12 months to sort out that the flight was properly credited.

Both MrsNWIFlyer and I qualified on 23rd March, and the cards were received today in the UK. Seems to lend credence to the theory that that is a single printing run each month given bevoinva's son's experience.

Almost exactly the same qualification and receipt of card dates for me, adding further weight to the theory.

I also received my Gold card this week and qualified mid march :)

Hi,

Gold upgrade on March 27, card arrive yesterday April 30. I'm in Brazil :cool:

Gold card upgrade March 2. No card as of today (May 2nd). This is really getting to my nerves. However accessing the lounges have never been a problem without the card, not even Lufthansa in MUC.

It took 6 months for my card to arrive. Why? Because they dropped the 0 at the beginning of my zip code, and the USPS got confused and sent it to a sorting center, where it sat in backlog for 6 months.

A warning for anyone with a 0xxxx zipcode...

It took 6 months for my card to arrive. Why? Because they dropped the 0 at the beginning of my zip code, and the USPS got confused and sent it to a sorting center, where it sat in backlog for 6 months.

A warning for anyone with a 0xxxx zipcode...

I can confirm that they are still dropping leading zeros from zip/postal code. I have two of those, and maybe that's why I only got my card this Monday when others in the latest batch seemed to get theirs last week.

Update: I take back what I wrote in my previous post. As of today May 2nd, my gold card has finally arrived. Took exactly two months to receive it. Slightly disappointed though that they opted for a smaller *G logo on the card, the old cards used to have a bigger logo. Oh well it's not the end of the world ;)

I can confirm that they are still dropping leading zeros from zip/postal code. I have two of those, and maybe that's why I only got my card this Monday when others in the latest batch seemed to get theirs last week.

Kallio,

They still dropping the left-zeros on postal code. Probably, it is a system bug.

Could you can add some space or special character like *?

Or an O (the letter), instead of a 0 (the number). It would make character-recognition software able to guess automatically the right postcode, I guess (if they recognize hand-written characters they shouldn't be confused.

Or an O (the letter), instead of a 0 (the number). It would make character-recognition software able to guess automatically the right postcode, I guess (if they recognize hand-written characters they shouldn't be confused.

A3's website only allows numbers in the zip code field sadly. Otherwise * or O would be good options...

Interestingly - the same thing happens in the password field. I had a leading zero in my password, when I signed up (say 012345), but it only lets me log in if I drop that zero (12345).

A3's website only allows numbers in the zip code field sadly.

Well at least my alphanumerical zip code was accepted on the website.

Well at least my alphanumerical zip code was accepted on the website.

Really? Then maybe I'll try adding a * or US or something in front...

Thanks for letting me know :)

Hi all, just received my A3 *G card and baggage tag in the mail today, 4/5. Qualified on 23/3. So a total of 6 weeks for a Southeast Asian address.

Hi all, just received my A3 *G card and baggage tag in the mail today, 4/5. Qualified on 23/3. So a total of 6 weeks for a Southeast Asian address.

seems like you made the late march cut off.... so i'll get mine around a month from now.

seems like you made the late march cut off.... so i'll get mine around a month from now.
Mine was about two months to a USA address, although it seems to be YMMV.

...YMMV.

What on earth does that mean in plain English? :confused:

What on earth does that mean in plain English? :confused:

Internet acronym for "Your Mileage May Vary" (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/your_mileage_may_vary)

I have an interesting scenario for you guys.

I currently have a gold card that says an expiry of 12/2015.
I ordered a replacement card a month ago and it still says an expiry date of 12/2015.

Contrary to the belief that status is supposed to last 'a lifetime' the card expiry should state 03/2016 instead of 12/2015.

Can anyone explain this phenomenon?

I have an interesting scenario for you guys.

I currently have a gold card that says an expiry of 12/2015.
I ordered a replacement card a month ago and it still says an expiry date of 12/2015.

Contrary to the belief that status is supposed to last 'a lifetime' the card expiry should state 03/2016 instead of 12/2015.

Can anyone explain this phenomenon?
So I guess our theory is wrong. Back to square one :(

Either that, or a replacement card is just that. A replacement card, exactly the same as the one that was issued.

I have an interesting scenario for you guys.

I currently have a gold card that says an expiry of 12/2015.
I ordered a replacement card a month ago and it still says an expiry date of 12/2015.

Contrary to the belief that status is supposed to last 'a lifetime' the card expiry should state 03/2016 instead of 12/2015.

Can anyone explain this phenomenon?

I think the 12/2015 expiry is already quite generous. It's more than 3 years from now. What am I missing here ?

I have an interesting scenario for you guys.

I currently have a gold card that says an expiry of 12/2015.
I ordered a replacement card a month ago and it still says an expiry date of 12/2015.

Contrary to the belief that status is supposed to last 'a lifetime' the card expiry should state 03/2016 instead of 12/2015.

Can anyone explain this phenomenon?

1/ A replacement card is a replacement card. It looks exactly like the card it replaces.
2/ Status is not supposed to last a lifetime. It lasts (for now...) while the account is active. Inactive account = loss of status. Otherwise, why bother with an expiry in the first place @:-)

I have an interesting scenario for you guys.

I currently have a gold card that says an expiry of 12/2015.
I ordered a replacement card a month ago and it still says an expiry date of 12/2015.

Contrary to the belief that status is supposed to last 'a lifetime' the card expiry should state 03/2016 instead of 12/2015.

Can anyone explain this phenomenon?

There is no lifetime. You have a card that lasts til 12/2015 based on your achievement to get to the Gold level.

Until such time as A3 release a figure of how many miles you need to keep it past that date then Id personally make sure you at least credit two to three decent miles earning flights per year until then.

Maybe A3 will not introduce a per year requirement but always a possibility.

I know it's not lifetime status but I was just highlighting a point that may shape the perception of this programme, instead of enticing newbies of low qualification rates for lifetime status. That was a little experiment of mine to see if the expiry date of the account will change. I also note minor differences in the new card, like the disappearance of the word gold under the miles and bonus name, and the star alliance logo looks smaller. Now I understand: it makes no commercial sense to keep changing the expiry date.

I qualified to Gold status late March and am using A3 program for all my *A flights. I must have missed the cut off though for March cards as I have still not card through the post yet.

I have some upcoming *A flights with TK next week and would really like to use lounges here and there, assuming my boarding pass does not state *G and reading this thread it is not possible to get a fax/confirmation of level from A3 what screenshot printout have people had success with ? Is the general account overview showing "Gold" enough or should I take a copy of the Gold benefits also etc ?

Thanks

The more documentation of your status the better, but the most important thing is something with your name and a date that clearly shows that you are *A *Gold. More general web pages showing that Aegean Gold is entitled to lounge access would be useful only if the dragon hasn't heard of Aegean or something.

1/ A replacement card is a replacement card. It looks exactly like the card it replaces.


Not true. I qulified in Oct 2011 and requested replacement card in Jan 2012 because I thought my initial card was "lost" by post. Received both cards in Feb, one with 12/2014 expiration and one with 12/2015. It seems that they always expire in 12/current year + 3 years

It took me about 4 weeks, assuming the card were sent out in the beginning of April (became gold on March 10th).

Norway btw.

It took me about 4 weeks, assuming the card were sent out in the beginning of April (became gold on March 10th).

Norway btw.

4 weeks...
That's longer than others who live in EU, according to the reports we received here.

Can someone answer me this?

I was going through my profile today and i noticed that for my title is says "miss"...

I emailed A3 seeing if they could change it (I couldn't). My only question is...does the card say Mr. or Ms. or something else? As long as it doesn't I don't really care what it says online.

Would just be awkward to have a card that says Ms. on it when I'm a single male. :D

The card does not have Ms, Mr or anything like that, just your name.

You certainly can't change Ms to Mr but you have the choice to change Female to Male using the button (https://en.aegeanair.com/milesandbonus/UpdateProfile/). If this doesn't work, I would certainly call them and have them change it. Although, indeed, the card does not indicate the sex, it is possible that this is shown on their screen when they scan your card (CI, lounge, etc.), and you risk having some idiot saying that you're using your wife's card.

You certainly can't change Ms to Mr but you have the choice to change Female to Male using the button (https://en.aegeanair.com/milesandbonus/UpdateProfile/). If this doesn't work, I would certainly call them and have them change it. Although, indeed, the card does not indicate the sex, it is possible that this is shown on their screen when they scan your card (CI, lounge, etc.), and you risk having some idiot saying that you're using your wife's card.

Yeah, it was on Male. I must have just carelessly created my profile. It's okay though, still need about 13,000 miles to get to GOLD, so I'm sure by the time I do it will be sorted out if it needs to.

Card arrived now about 2 months after qualification. Based in SIN and validity till 12/2015.

Flew the last leg of my gold qualifying flights on 9 Apr. Gold in the system by 13 Apr. Got my card today. 1 month, give or take a few days. Recieved in YOW (Ottawa), Canada.

Its a slick card.

Card arrived now about 2 months after qualification. Based in SIN and validity till 12/2015.

It means you became gold in the middle of March?

Card arrived now about 2 months after qualification. Based in SIN and validity till 12/2015.

It's interesting to note the difference in the time it took for the card to make it from ATH to SIN. I qualified on 23/3 and received it around 4/5.

Got status April 14'th and card by mail yesterday May 16'th.
Validity until 12 2015. ^

April 2nd, 2012: Qualifying flight for Gold Status took place with a US Airways flight.

April 8th, 2012: "Card Upgrade" activity on M&B Website logged.

May 17th, 2012: Received M&B Gold Card.

So, for me, 45 days from qualifying flight, for a Gold Card sent to Canada.

Validity also until 12 2015.

Addressing on the cover letter was basically ok, with proper Canadian postal coding, except they put the Postal Code before the city.

Got my card May 16th after qualifying early April. Others have reported that they got theirs two weeks ago (also Sweden)... I thought they only sent the cards in batches once a month.

Qualified for gold on 18.4 and received the card 4 weeks later in Germany

I've received official clarification from a guy at Miles and Bonus that:

1) Cards are made in batches, and sent out twice a month.
2) Cards expire 3 years after the request to issue the card is made, always in December. (i.e. if you qualify on December 28, 2011, your card expires 12/2014, but if you qualify on January 1, 2012, your card expires 12/2015)

I've received official clarification from a guy at Miles and Bonus that:

1) Cards are made in batches, and sent out twice a month.
2) Cards expire 3 years after the request to issue the card is made, always in December. (i.e. if you qualify on December 28, 2011, your card expires 12/2014, but if you qualify on January 1, 2012, your card expires 12/2015)

That's good to know. Was going to try to qualify for Gold before then, but since I'm doing some travel now and won't be again till next year, it's not worth it to finish until December. Thanks for that PVDtoDEL

That's good to know. Was going to try to qualify for Gold before then, but since I'm doing some travel now and won't be again till next year, it's not worth it to finish until December. Thanks for that PVDtoDEL

No, no. That's the wrong conclusion you drew from my statement. Qualify as soon as possible, but just remember to "loose your card" in January so they send a new one out ;)

That's good to know. Was going to try to qualify for Gold before then, but since I'm doing some travel now and won't be again till next year, it's not worth it to finish until December. Thanks for that PVDtoDEL
No, to be sure, try to avoid hitting 19,000 miles until January to be sure that you get that extra year on your card. If it goes through in December, there's a good chance that the card will expire one year earlier, at the end of December 2015, not 2016.

No, to be sure, try to avoid hitting 19,000 miles until January to be sure that you get that extra year on your card. If it goes through in December, there's a good chance that the card will expire one year earlier, at the end of December 2015, not 2016.

As I said, it has absolutely nothing to do with qualification date, just the date a card print is requested (which does occur on the date of your card upgrade).

If you qualify on December 31st and then apply for a "lost card" on January 1st, you will get an extra year of expiry.

I've got my gold card today too. some 1 mth after qualification (miles went in 2.5 weeks after my flight on 8/apr)

PS. made blue late march and got the card maybe 2.5 weeks ago

As I said, it has absolutely nothing to do with qualification date, just the date a card print is requested (which does occur on the date of your card upgrade).

If you qualify on December 31st and then apply for a "lost card" on January 1st, you will get an extra year of expiry.

Doesn't that seem like a giant loophole that they would eventually have to close?

Gold card finally arrived May 31st. I crossed the threshold on March 2nd and card was mailed out April 4th and arrived in Canada about 2 months after mailing.

Very happy to see it arrive as I have a flight next week and will be enjoying the lounge in YYZ and YHZ very much!!

I've received official clarification from a guy at Miles and Bonus that:

1) Cards are made in batches, and sent out twice a month.
2) Cards expire 3 years after the request to issue the card is made, always in December. (i.e. if you qualify on December 28, 2011, your card expires 12/2014, but if you qualify on January 1, 2012, your card expires 12/2015)

I've been comp'd gold, so do you mean that i will have gold till 12/2015?? I thought A3 *g only lasts for 1 year...

Also, what is the requalification amount? 16k or 19k or 20k from May 2012-May 2013? It was granted in May 2012.

There is information in the FAQ. Basically, providing you credit at least one flight every year or two years (a moot point from the T&C), it seems the status is indefinite for the time being, and miles do not expire. If you do not credit or retrocredit flights flown during this period, then your account will close after three years (or on the expiry date of your card).

I've been comp'd gold, so do you mean that i will have gold till 12/2015?? I thought A3 *g only lasts for 1 year...

Yes, you will receive the card valid till 12/2015.

A BMI Gold, moving to A3.

Just sent in my request, waiting to be upgraded.

A3 here i come

Matched already to Gold. was matched within an hour! WOW... what a fantastic customer service. I am impressed.

My A3 GOLD (to use the style used in the cover letter) card arrived June 5. I qualified in the early hours of May 3rd.

That's fast enough in my book :)

Qualified May 1 and got my card today - so 5 weeks to be sent to Canada

Qualified on 10MAY, my card arrived on 31MAY...fast enought for me too, plus it's nice and shiny! :D

My only "complaint" would be that the luggage tag is not as sturdy as the CX Gold ones, but that's still OK in my book ;)

Just wanted to add a data point here. Mine took a bit longer than most everyone else's. I made Gold on March 20 and my card arrived in early June (1st or 2nd). So a little over two months to the east coast of the USA.

Mine was almost as long. Earned early January and mailed to USA midwest, presumably not by airmail. I think I already reported the dates more precisely.

April 29th, 2012: Qualifying flight for Gold Status with SQ.

May 1st, 2012: "Card Upgrade" activity on M&B Website logged.

June 15th, 2012: Received M&B Gold Card.

So, for me, 47 days from qualifying flight, for a Gold Card sent to Singapore.

Validity until 12 2015.

1 Card and 1 Tag

Received mine - valid dill dec 2015 however it appears that my first and last names are transposed. All loyalty cards I had so far showing <First name> <Last Name> except this one which shows <Last Name> <First Name>. I checked, account details are correct.
- Has anyone experienced anything similar
- Should I be worried and ask to re-issue the card

AX

Received mine - valid dill dec 2015 however it appears that my first and last names are transposed. All loyalty cards I had so far showing <First name> <Last Name> except this one which shows <Last Name> <First Name>. I checked, account details are correct.
- Has anyone experienced anything similar
- Should I be worried and ask to re-issue the card

AX

Don't worry, I have my card in front of me right now and it's the same. Miles have posted with no issues so far. I suppose it might have something to do with differing name order customs in Greece.

April 29th, 2012: Qualifying flight for Gold Status with SQ.

May 1st, 2012: "Card Upgrade" activity on M&B Website logged.

June 15th, 2012: Received M&B Gold Card.

So, for me, 47 days from qualifying flight, for a Gold Card sent to Singapore.

Validity until 12 2015.

1 Card and 1 Tag

My luggage tag is <LASTNAME> <FIRSTNAME> <MIDDLENAME>.

Don't worry, I have my card in front of me right now and it's the same. Miles have posted with no issues so far. I suppose it might have something to do with differing name order customs in Greece.

Thanks for confirming... Hopefully lounge dragons will also be aware of name order customs in Greece :D
Ax

Thanks for confirming... Hopefully lounge dragons will also be aware of name order customs in Greece :D
Ax
It's not much different from the USA custom of doing official documents and lists as <Lastname>, <Firstname> <Middlename>.

Ok so today we reached 24K miles with A3, the status on line still shows Blue, when will we get the Gold cards?

Ok so today we reached 24K miles with A3, the status on line still shows Blue, when will we get the Gold cards?

Give it time. The upgrade will happen.

Ok so today we reached 24K miles with A3, the status on line still shows Blue, when will we get the Gold cards?
A3 tends to use sweeps to upgrade status; it doesn't happen instantly when the miles post.

Consensus is that cards seem to get sent out in batches once per month. A3 told me it could take up to two months - as it came from Greece and I'm in UK presumably that's to allow for postage. In fact it took about 5 weeks in my case.

Thanks you guys are great!!

Made status 6 days ago.
Account is now showing gold, but the card hasn't come yet. (Not that I'm in a rush because I enjoy making AC pay for my lost business with them, Canada domestic notwithstanding.)

ORO today, Gold Today, hooray!!!!!!!!!

Qualified on 19/6, got my card by 5/7 (didn't check the mailbox until today, could've arrived earlier this week), so about 2 weeks and change. I'm in Athens, so postage was quick!

I made status on the 1st of June.
Was about to "complain" about nothing getting my card ... just realized I had not filled in my address properly at all. Great.

11th June match, 11 July card arrived :)

Made Blue level 3 JUNE. Got my card to east coast USA 11 JULY.

Made Blue level 3 JUNE. Got my card to east coast USA 11 JULY.
This is extremely fast. I suspect that most A3 cards end up in surface mail across the Atlantic.

This is extremely fast. I suspect that most A3 cards end up in surface mail across the Atlantic.

Yeah, I was shocked. What's even more nuts is I put the zip code in wrong, and it still got here. When I realized it, I updated it in my account and requested a new card. I guess the original had already gone out. Couldn't be happier though.

Yeah, I was shocked. What's even more nuts is I put the zip code in wrong, and it still got here. When I realized it, I updated it in my account and requested a new card. I guess the original had already gone out. Couldn't be happier though.
Experience reported here suggests that Aegean will mail a new card to you but not a replacement luggage tag. Please report back.

Experience reported here suggests that Aegean will mail a new card to you but not a replacement luggage tag. Please report back.

Correct.

Experience reported here suggests that Aegean will mail a new card to you but not a replacement luggage tag. Please report back.

Second that comment.

Experience reported here suggests that Aegean will mail a new card to you but not a replacement luggage tag. Please report back.

I think there is no luggage tag for blue status?

I think there is no luggage tag for blue status?

That's correct. I didn't get a luggage tag. I thought that was only for Gold, no?

Correct. Blue gets a card but no luggage tag.

Interesting, we qualified for Gold June 20th, but today received the Blue Card. So will the Gold card be issued in the next batch cycle.

Interesting, we qualified for Gold June 20th, but today received the Blue Card. So will the Gold card be issued in the next batch cycle.
It should be, complete with the luggage tag.

My SQ flights from Sunday just posted, so I'm now A3 Gold! Well, not yet, but when they do the sweep tonight, I will be :)

Now the waiting begins, though I'm hoping my TK Elite/*G card comes before I'm waiting for my A3 Gold/*G card :D

My SQ flights from Sunday just posted, so I'm now A3 Gold! Well, not yet, but when they do the sweep tonight, I will be :)

Now the waiting begins, though I'm hoping my TK Elite/*G card comes before I'm waiting for my A3 Gold/*G card :D
Why are you trying to get *Gold on two different *A carriers? Wouldn't it be better to concentrate your miles in one *A program (unless you can maintain top tier status in more than one)?

Why are you trying to get *Gold on two different *A carriers? Wouldn't it be better to concentrate your miles in one *A program (unless you can maintain top tier status in more than one)?

I was matched to TK *G by Turkish Airlines in June from my DL status. That status is good until mid-2014. To requalify until mid-2016, I'd need to fly 25K by the middle of 2013 or 37.5K by the middle of 2014.

I flew 22,400 miles on SQ this trip. It was either use those miles to qualify for A3 until the end of 2015 or put them towards TK and still need to fly 2600 to requal until mid-2016. I went with the guaranteed thing. The only thing I gave up was 22,400 UA miles for an extra 1.5 years of *G (and possibly more).

Another reason I went with A3 is because I can use 21K for a UA transcon J LAX-JFK, a leisure route I fly a lot (and sometimes very last minute). I can't do anything with the 25K TK miles without flying more to reach an award level I can use. Plus, TK's miles all expire within 3 years of earning. I'd have to forgo a lot of miles in more useful programs (like UA) to make use of those miles.

The only reason I matched was for this trip to get A3*G. I was able to get increased baggage allowance plus lounge access (useful on a 36-hour journey one-way in coach) plus priority boarding (useful on 4 A380 segments). All I had to do was print out my TK account page.

I don't know how often I'll be using *G, but it sure opens up a lot more options for paid tickets ... I usually fly DL domestically because I'm GM and would usually prefer ST abroad for STE+ options and DL MQMs. Once I have my A3 card, paid coach on UA/US domestically + *A abroad for will be more stomachable.