Finnair Plus - Finnair introduces Lifetime memberships

"Finnair's frequent customers are rewarded corporate loyalty in the future even better, with the introduction of the new Lifetime levels. Finnair Plus Lifetime levels should be directed to Finnair's most faithful and most loyal customers flying for.

Lifetime achievement level represents one of the current level and its then-current interest in the locked, as if entering the glass on the floor, below which the levels can no longer drop. New Lifetime levels will be the Lifetime Silver, Lifetime Lifetime Gold and Platinum, with a requirement of one million, three million and five million AY or oneworld flights collect tier points."


Source: http://www.smt.fi/

Calculated starting when? Jan 1st 2012 of from 1992 = member's joining date?

I'd become instant life time Gold if they calculated from the joining date but I very much doubt that..that would be too good of a gesture towards current customers..not AY style at all..wonder if they even have the data anymore..they used to show the "program to date" points but took it away many years ago.

Details are a bit vague. No information about Lifetime memberships to found from AY's own website.

Which the customer is more loyal: the one flying in business getting needed point with fewer flights or a economy class passanger getting only 1/2 or 1/4 of the points, depending of the economy booking class, but flying 2-4 times more?

Which the customer is more loyal: the one flying in business getting needed point with fewer flights or a economy class passanger getting only 1/2 or 1/4 of the points, depending of the economy booking class, but flying 2-4 times more?
The one bringing more profit to the company :)

This is very interesting indeed. It has potential to become the biggest improvement in AY Plus in years, but somehow the pessimist in me thinks the countdown starts from now, which would make it the biggest "fck you" in a while.

I'll never be lifetime anything on AY+, but will look forward on hearing more about this change!

The thresholds are pretty steep. It takes 150 000 points to go plat for 1 year, so 5 miljon points is over 30 years of plat. Compare that to Asiana and AA...

The thresholds are pretty steep. It takes 150 000 points to go plat for 1 year, so 5 miljon points is over 30 years of plat. Compare that to Asiana and AA...

Yes, I fully agree, it's steep if this start's now but if this life time thing is starting back from the 90's it's not that bad...we made some pretty nice points back those days...if they started counting from 2012/beg this whole thing is pretty much a joke as I see it..

Edit: just double checked and as they say only "ay/ow level points" count I'd only be a life time silver today....some further 600k missing to become LT Gold..in any case this is most likely only dreaming as I'm sure they'll start counting from today...

Yes, I fully agree, it's steep if this start's now but if this life time thing is starting back from the 90's it's not that bad...we made some pretty nice points back those days...if they started counting from 2012/beg this whole thing is pretty much a joke as I see it..

Edit: just double checked and as they say only "ay/ow level points" count I'd only be a life time silver today....some further 600k missing to become LT Gold..in any case this is most likely only dreaming as I'm sure they'll start counting from today...

It actually would make good business sense to count lifetime accounts from joindate - as this would attract people just like you. If the word around here is correct, many long time AY flyers have turned elsewhere in the last few years due to changes in the program. This might help them return to AY, and so that perk makes sense.
It might even be because of this that the levels are so high. AY might have looked at old account statuses and found pretty many people floating around at 1-3 million points.

As for me, as only a few years of plat customer, it does not appeal at all. I cannot see that I will be flying this much for another 20 years. And even if I did, I would not base today's flying decisions on a perk 20 years away. The AY program might not even be there then.

Asiana has 500 000 but-in-seat-miles (actual flying miles, no bonus miles et.c.) as lower lifetime limit, this would be more appealing.

The latest issue of Blue Wings mentions the introduction of lifetime status in the AY+ 20 years article. It said something along the lines of "members who have been flying AY for a long time" which, I suppose, could be interpreted as counting all points since 1992 although I wouldn't hold my breath.

http://pcm.finnair.com/FI/GB/lifetime-tiers

http://pcm.finnair.com/FI/GB/lifetime-tiers

Hmm, the link takes me only to my normal account statement...

The link worked for me.

Five million lifetime tier points to get OW Emerald for life (of AY's program) sounds nice if I already had lifetime OW Sapphire status with AY's program.

With AA lifetime Platinum/OW Sapphire status already in the pocket, I find it hard to find much incentive in this given: AA lifetime Platinum/OW Sapphire status; AY lifetime qualification criteria; and my paltry AY program use; however, AY's lifetime elite status is a great thing for those who are much closer, at or above the AY Gold (three million point) lifetime tier level and can foresee getting the next two million points within less than 10 years.

AY joins AF-KL and LH in having lifetime elite status programs with published standards for achievement. ^^

Hmm, the link takes me only to my normal account statement...

I don't have any lifetime counter either in my account yet. It will probably appear in a few days, when they announce it "for real".


The link worked for me.

Five million lifetime tier points to get OW Emerald for life (of AY's program) sounds nice if I already had lifetime OW Sapphire status with AY's program.

With AA lifetime Platinum/OW Sapphire status already in the pocket, I find it hard to find much incentive in this given: AA lifetime Platinum/OW Sapphire status; AY lifetime qualification criteria; and my paltry AY program use; however, AY's lifetime elite status is a great thing for those who are much closer, at or above the AY Gold (three million point) lifetime tier level and can foresee getting the next two million points within less than 10 years.

AY joins AF-KL and LH in having lifetime elite status programs with published standards for achievement. ^^

Yes, good they have it, but the thresholds in AY seems to take into account the amount of points that people have earned since 1992 (much higher earnings before). As for newer members, a lifetime plat at 5million is equivalent of 33 years of plat status.
And many people on FT complain about how hard it is to earn plat for even one year with the newer earnings, so I don't think this will change much. It will be close to impossible unless you only do longhaul C on AY metal. 10 years of 10 C longhaul r/t a year will earn lifetime plat. (in low econ it will take 80 years :D

As you say, it will be a nice complement for those who already are close to the limit.

Some programs have 10 years of consecutive status => lifetime status. For me that would have been a better deal.

Strange if the link works for some...not for me, though..

Strange if the link works for some...not for me, though..

It no longer works for me but I am using a different device and connection configuration than before.

It no longer works for me but I am using a different device and connection configuration than before.

Now I am getting 404 error.

Am I the only one who thinks this whole thing stinks...first some info via a travel agent site, then something on ay web which doesn't work...and nothing communicated to their members..?

I am pretty surprised too.
My guess was that this was supposed to be a part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, and that they would announce an array of thrilling news this year.
But it has been very quiet...

Anyone who knows the exact "birthday" of the AY+ program?

The latest issue of Blue Wings mentions the introduction of lifetime status in the AY+ 20 years article. It said something along the lines of "members who have been flying AY for a long time" which, I suppose, could be interpreted as counting all points since 1992 although I wouldn't hold my breath.

I just realized that I can search my points all the way back to the good ol' 90s. Talk about stroll down the memory lane! (And talk about me being slow...) So I guess this would further indicate starting the lifetime calculation from, well, beginning.

I just realized that I can search my points all the way back to the good ol' 90s. ...

In your normal account page on finnair.com?
My account is strictly limited by date, exactly 36 months. A search for earlier dates returns the "invalid date" error. Points from earlier dates are still in the sum, but removed from the account listing.

In your normal account page on finnair.com?
My account is strictly limited by date, exactly 36 months. A search for earlier dates returns the "invalid date" error. Points from earlier dates are still in the sum, but removed from the account listing.

Yep, from my normal page. The dates need to be in the format dd.mm.yyyy, otherwise you get the error message. E.g.

10.07.1999 AY 048 M SFO-HEL + 8722
24.06.1999 AY 047 M HEL-SFO + 8722

It was a fun trip!

Yep, from my normal page. The dates need to be in the format dd.mm.yyyy, otherwise you get the error message. E.g.

10.07.1999 AY 048 M SFO-HEL + 8722
24.06.1999 AY 047 M HEL-SFO + 8722

It was a fun trip!
Well, those were my SK days!

Did the manual date-entering, but failed. Can do a search for 01.01.2010 but not for 01.12.2009 for example. I had 3 legs in december 2009 and they are not there. Doesn't really matter for the lifetime status (as it is impossible for me to achieve) but I need to print out the list every now and then, so I can keep track they don't expire my miles. (They still list miles to expire after 36 months, despite my plat status)

Correction...
I can search earlier dates, but I am not allowed to let the search span a new year... 01.12.2009--01.02.2010 returns "the start date is invalid, change it and try again" while 01.12.2009--31.12.2009 is fine. Brilliant...

For me, it worked alright. All the flights from the early nineties came up. Seems like my first AY+ flight was HEL-ARN, earned me 1000 points back then.

And all those points earned from Arctia hotels and Swissair flights with SR flight numbers... Those were the days!

For me, it worked alright. All the flights from the early nineties came up. Seems like my first AY+ flight was HEL-ARN, earned me 1000 points back then.

And all those points earned from Arctia hotels and Swissair flights with SR flight numbers... Those were the days!

Tell me about it! It's like walking on the memory lane, great stuff that they brought it back! ^

Let's see how the LT thing goes..

The search kind of works for me - some events are missing, even some years are not searchable (returns something like "this application requires logging in"), and it shows all flights as earning award points only. One trip shows the correct flight number and route for the outbound leg, but just number and "Airline Flight" for the inbound. But nice that they've been able to dig up the database from somewhere, didn't even remember some of the trips any more.

By the way, did points expire in just two years when the program was first launched? I see one redemption in '97, which I remember booking because I had expiring points, but looking at the list it seems they must have been earned just a bit over two years earlier.

Today I got new info on my Finnair Plus online:

Lifetime Tier
Lifetime tier points

Hey, me too! I guess this is now officially on?

Hey, me too! I guess this is now officially on?

And they count the points from the beginning. ^

I guess this is now officially on?

Yeah.

http://www.finnair.com/FI/GB/lifetime-tiers

So.... did any of you guys get lifetime status directly? Come on, don't be shy ;)

I cannot see anything yet..is this supposed to be where the normal tier points etc. are shown?

I cannot see anything yet..is this supposed to be where the normal tier points etc. are shown?

Heh, my account is not showing the lifetime points anymore! They were where the normal tier points etc. are.

I cannot see anything yet..is this supposed to be where the normal tier points etc. are shown?

Yes, in the header. 2 new entries, labeled "Lifetime tier:" and "Lifetime points:"

I can still see my lifetime points. No tier though, I need about 27 years more of flying before lifetime plat with the current earnings table...

What are the official limits for lifetime tiers?

Edit: ok, found them now..really strange they do not have life time Silver status at all but are giving away life time OW Emerald...wonder if any other OW airlines does the same..

but are giving away life time OW Emerald...wonder if any other OW airlines does the same..

Giving away? Or do you mean giving for 5m points lifetime earnings? :confused:

Giving away? Or do you mean giving for 5m points lifetime earnings? :confused:

Yes, "giving" after 5M status points with AY Plus..some members who have been there from the very beginning can really enjoy this!

For new members with current earning tables (OW) this is a complete joke.

For new members with current earning tables (OW) this is a complete joke.

New lifetime levels were intoduced for longtime loyal AY customers so who cares about new members. :p

New lifetime levels were intoduced for longtime loyal AY customers so who cares about new members. :p

Haha, because all of the longtime loyal AY customers are now flying BA anyway so it makes perfect sense to give the OW status! :p No incentive to fly AY on a revenue ticket ever again!

What are the official limits for lifetime tiers?

Edit: ok, found them now..really strange they do not have life time Silver status at all but are giving away life time OW Emerald...wonder if any other OW airlines does the same..

Kinda interesting, when this first announced/leaked, the lifetime Silver was definitely there. Wonder what happened?

Kinda interesting, when this first announced/leaked, the lifetime Silver was definitely there. Wonder what happened?

Maybe the number of LT Silvers would have been just too big...myself among others ;)

To get life time status via AA is much, much more interesting than this AY thing, I would still need to credit many years at Plat level earnings to be even close to LT Gold so it's really not even an option to go for.

I wonder if this is the end of the undocumented perks of extra gifts (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finnair-plus/1324657-finnair-gift.html) at 200k or 300k. The new lifetime tiers may be the only intended incentive for people to keep crediting even after 150 000km/year?

So.... did any of you guys get lifetime status directly? Come on, don't be shy ;)

Not even close...

With my current 952300 lifetime tier points after 10+ years of extensive flying in Y (2000-2003 in J), I find it a little bit frustrating they didn't introduce a lifetime silver.

With this trend and current way of accruing AY+ points, I will be 118 years when the lifetime gold will be sent to me with fanfares and bucket of roses.

prkl!

I find it a little bit frustrating they didn't introduce a lifetime silver.

What You do with Silver Card if You're holding Gold right now?

..

With this trend and current way of accruing AY+ points, I will be 118 years when the lifetime gold will be sent to me with fanfares and bucket of roses.
...

Yes, this isn't for us deadly!

What You do with Silver Card if You're holding Gold right now?

I don't find that so strange, for me the draw of lifetime tiers would be to secure status for retired life, not to replace the current card.

Well... It's a matter of principle of course.

But, I'm very likely going to drop down to Silver on May 31st (8 legs missing) and not sure that will be able to accrue enough flights to get the Gold back next year either. By getting the silver after 1M points would at least save me from stressing to gain the ruby status with my countless hours on coach.

Maybe the number of LT Silvers would have been just too big...myself among others ;)

To get life time status via AA is much, much more interesting than this AY thing, I would still need to credit many years at Plat level earnings to be even close to LT Gold so it's really not even an option to go for.

Other than the cost of some more AY Silver packages/cards each year, what does AY Silver cost AY when the passenger benefits for it are so very slim already.

AA program lifetime elite status is indeed much more interesting than AY lifetime elite status, more so for those starting their peak travel careers presently.

As someone who has already gotten AA lifetime Platinum status (the equivalent of AY Gold) and would need to start near the AY program bottom to get AY Platinum status for life, I've pretty much written off any chance of getting lifetime AY Platinum status. I don't see the returns of pursuing AY lifetime elite status -- at any level -- even if I could pull it off with AY over the next several years.

LT Gold at 3m points - 20x Plat level or 33x Gold level. Start young, my friends, start young - maybe your lifetime will be long enough!

(Is this the typical Finnish way of shooting yourself in the leg? Let's pretend we do something, but make sure that the potential benefits are enjoyed by noone. Except, of course if the CEO or someone high enough decides to give his political/business chums an LT Plat in exchange for other favors)

Heh, got an email from Finnair telling I've got 300000+ lifetime points :rolleyes: I have flown that in last 16 months or so, I think I should have well over 2M alltogether. Looks like my lifetime period started only last year then...

I got well above one Million, only start flying AY in late 2010, but I don t see me reaching LT Gold ever.

Heh, got an email from Finnair telling I've got 300000+ lifetime points :rolleyes: I have flown that in last 16 months or so, I think I should have well over 2M alltogether. Looks like my lifetime period started only last year then...

I got well above one Million, only start flying AY in late 2010, but I don t see me reaching LT Gold ever.
Did some quick calculations, I should actually have quite exactly 3M points by now. Been flying Finnair from late 90s, though. Well, no gold card for you they say :D

(Is this the typical Finnish way of shooting yourself in the leg? Let's pretend we do something, but make sure that the potential benefits are enjoyed by noone.

Very well said! This is exactly what has been going on this anniversary year. And, mind you, AY has been very successful with this so they have clearly gone out of their way in thinking up these "campaigns". Visit 20 destinations... Use 20 different partners... Collect 3.000.000 miles...

What about a real campaign for a change? European Y award for 20k in 2012 or charge only 20 euros in "taxes" on award tix in 2012...

Very well said! This is exactly what has been going on this anniversary year. And, mind you, AY has been very successful with this so they have clearly gone out of their way in thinking up these "campaigns". Visit 20 destinations... Use 20 different partners... Collect 3.000.000 miles...

What about a real campaign for a change? European Y award for 20k in 2012 or charge only 20 euros in "taxes" on award tix in 2012...

No way, they need all the cash they have to pay the incompetent management for their bonuses "just for sticking with Finnair.." - this AY behaviour towards their FFs is getting beyond my understanding..if they are ever willing to open up discussions with the FT community via us Ambassadors I can promise that I won't be soft on them... :D

LT Gold at 3m points - 20x Plat level or 33x Gold level. Start young, my friends, start young - maybe your lifetime will be long enough!

(Is this the typical Finnish way of shooting yourself in the leg? Let's pretend we do something, but make sure that the potential benefits are enjoyed by noone. Except, of course if the CEO or someone high enough decides to give his political/business chums an LT Plat in exchange for other favors)

Ah, now we finally have reached the true reason for this LT-tiers! :D
Maybe they handed over the LT-plat to all board members, before dismissing them for failing to do their job...

Very well said! This is exactly what has been going on this anniversary year. And, mind you, AY has been very successful with this so they have clearly gone out of their way in thinking up these "campaigns". Visit 20 destinations... Use 20 different partners... Collect 3.000.000 miles...

What about a real campaign for a change? European Y award for 20k in 2012 or charge only 20 euros in "taxes" on award tix in 2012...

SK eurobonus also has 20th anniversary this year, and they have been much more active. I can't judge if their promotions have been bettter (I don't fly SK) but they surely have spent a lot of thought and efforts for their "celebrations".

Well, I will wait until my travel plan for next year is ready and decide if I'm going to abandon the AY+ ship and join AA (or BAEC).

I kind of understand the unbearable financial situation of airlines, but not the fact AY is tearing all the benefits out from loyal customers (25% of point accrual from more and more booking classes) and throwing money down to drain with new idiotic AY+ marketing campaigns and so-called point bargains. AY+ program is mostly a joke nowadays, it's like a K-Plussa program.

Well, I will wait until my travel plan for next year is ready and decide if I'm going to abandon the AY+ ship and join AA (or BAEC).


Why wait? I waited for much too long, jumped ship to BAEC a few months back and a happy camper ever since. See details here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finnair-plus/1308766-bye-ay-hello-baec.html

Why wait? I waited for much too long, jumped ship to BAEC a few months back and a happy camper ever since. See details here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finnair-plus/1308766-bye-ay-hello-baec.html
Maybe I should do a move, too. I was happy with AY until something happened around 2009/2010. After that I have lost most of the privileges, no gifts for renewing the plat status, no upgrade vouchers, no nothing :p

It's sad anyway, as a Finn It's really convenient for me to take Finnair as I have to travel to Japan/China at least twice monthly.

What You do with Silver Card if You're holding Gold right now?

I wouldn't be surprised if AY defines your status according to your life time status level. So, you are Silver for the rest of your life, nothing more, nothing less :D

3M points for Gold - as said it takes some 30 yrs to archive that if you don't live in the airplane. Made my decision. A colleague here saind BAEC is better, I think AB is fine, too: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/airberlin-topbonus/1339001-collecting-miles-aa-award-ticket.html

After that I have lost most of the privileges, no gifts for renewing the plat status, no upgrade vouchers, no nothing


Called to Finnair before being over 300.000 points in the end of last year and asked if points above 300.000 would go to black hole. They said they would reward you above 300K and next step would be 350K. I had 370K in the end of my last 2 year period last february and not heard from Finnair since. They said the rewards are always case-by-case definitions. I believe my money seem not to be attractive for Finnair anymore.

I have BAEC account, applied that last year when got pisted with Finnair, still Ihave not used that. For some reason I have propably felt too loyal for Finnair till now being of you native airline...

I have BAEC account, applied that last year when got pisted with Finnair, still Ihave not used that. For some reason I have propably felt too loyal for Finnair till now being of you native airline...

You may still fly AY if it's convenient, but just credit to BAEC. You'll need 4 segment on BA metal for the higher levels, but that's easily doable (one connecting flight via LHR)

I also do a lot of Far-Eastern flights ex-HEL, but in the last 3 years or so I only flew AY this year to ICN - ex-BUD at that. One can keep "Gold" level on at least two alliances this way and travel in C for the price of Y (but this is a whole different discussion)

Maybe I should do a move, too. I was happy with AY until something happened around 2009/2010..

2010 - the year of the infamous "how to degrade your FFP" improvements combined with "p*ss off your best customers" approach That's when I started to diss AY

2010 - the year of the infamous "how to degrade your FFP" improvements combined with "p*ss off your best customers" approach That's when I started to diss AY

+1

2010 - the year of the infamous "how to degrade your FFP" improvements combined with "p*ss off your best customers" approach That's when I started to diss AY
Okay, so I'm not the only one then noticing something. Frankly, I have not really cared that much about differences between FF programs, but now everything seems to a be little bit too difficult with Finnair. I don't really need the upgrade vouchers, for example, but still feel being treated unfairly as I don't get those anymore. They should notice this kind of things themselves and fix their CRM or whatever. When the customer complains, it's too late already.

Any recommendations for connections to Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul from Helsinki? I think I will choose between LH and KL, but still open for suggestions :) Will stick to BA when I need to go to Americas.

I don't really need the upgrade vouchers, for example, but still feel being treated unfairly as I don't get those anymore. They should notice this kind of things themselves and fix their CRM or whatever. When the customer complains, it's too late already.


Do you mean that you qualified Gold/Plat, and didn't receive vouchers on your account?

Do you mean that you qualified Gold/Plat, and didn't receive vouchers on your account?
I have been plat since 2001 or so, but got my last vouchers in 2009. I have very rarely used those, but still it feels unfair. Also I used to get some nice gifts, like Rimowa trolleys, but those days are long gone.

I have been plat since 2001 or so, but got my last vouchers in 2009. I have very rarely used those, but still it feels unfair. Also I used to get some nice gifts, like Rimowa trolleys, but those days are long gone.

The gifts upon renewing status are gone, but you should receive vouchers everytime you renew. 4 euro and 2 long haul for plat.
One thought - vouchers expire after 1 year. So maybe you got the new ones, but at the same time the old (unused) ones did expire, so it looks like you are not getting vouchers anymore?

Any recommendations for connections to Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul from Helsinki? I think I will choose between LH and KL, but still open for suggestions :) Will stick to BA when I need to go to Americas.

My last two trips to Japan were via LHR (yeah, I know :o) once on Virgin (VS) and once on BA. Both excellent.

To HKG I flew LH, to BKK LX and SK.

OS used to be my choice for Middle- and Far-East destinations, but they stopped flying to HEL, so they are off the radar.

The SK longhaul product is a bit tired. LX is excellent, with opportunities to upgrade to F, which is fantastic (haven't had the chance to taste LH or BA F)

If you are satisfied with the AY product, you may as well use them, but just forget the FFP, go for BAEC (or AAdvantage, for that matter) And if you can, start your trip from outside Finland - will save you at least 1k € in C fare.

Strictly the C hard product I'd rate as LX -> VS -> BA -> LH -> AY -> SK

I also do a lot of Far-Eastern flights ex-HEL, but in the last 3 years or so I only flew AY this year to ICN - ex-BUD at that. One can keep "Gold" level on at least two alliances this way and travel in C for the price of Y (but this is a whole different discussion)

Ok, I'm confused... Do you mean AY C ex-BUD cost the same as (actual full-flex?) Y ex-HEL, or just that a connection on BA or some other airline can be the same price as AY's direct Y? Or how do you travel in C for the price of Y? :confused:

My last two trips to Japan were via LHR (yeah, I know :o) once on Virgin (VS) and once on BA. Both excellent.

To HKG I flew LH, to BKK LX and SK.

OS used to be my choice for Middle- and Far-East destinations, but they stopped flying to HEL, so they are off the radar.

The SK longhaul product is a bit tired. LX is excellent, with opportunities to upgrade to F, which is fantastic (haven't had the chance to taste LH or BA F)

If you are satisfied with the AY product, you may as well use them, but just forget the FFP, go for BAEC (or AAdvantage, for that matter) And if you can, start your trip from outside Finland - will save you at least 1k € in C fare.

Strictly the C hard product I'd rate as LX -> VS -> BA -> LH -> AY -> SK

Maybe we are getting a bit OT, but my view:

Lufthansa flies on ICN, both via FRA and MUC. Transfer at any of these are not very fun, but I would prefer via MUC. The biggest advantage would be that it is A340-300 on MUC and A340-600 on FRA. The c-cabin on -600 is just too big, resulting in slower service. LH have surprisingly nice crews, but don't expect Korean level of service. In fact, the Koreans in the crew are the least pleasant part of the service.

For Shanghai, SK offers direct flight from CPH. As said, product a bit tired. Tix may be good price from HEL (ex-CPH they are expensive)

I would also like to offer an alternate view on BA... BA can be very nice if you get the right seat on the right bird with the right crew. If you don't, your flight can be considerably less comfortable than on AY. BA-crew can excel in rudeness and the art of teaching passengers to know their place...
Transferring at LHR can likewise be bad, especially if you arrive on night flights, as LHR and BA lounges closes down between approx 22 and 06.

Due to the inconsistency and the very low lows, I'd rate BA lastly, and AY and LH on par. Can't say anything about LX yet, but all you hear around is praise. As I value short total travel time, AY is often the best choice IMO.
Credit to AA or BAEC can be a smart alternative, as they offer 100% earnings on more classes than AY+ does.

Ok, I'm confused... Do you mean AY C ex-BUD cost the same as (actual full-flex?) Y ex-HEL, or just that a connection on BA or some other airline can be the same price as AY's direct Y? Or how do you travel in C for the price of Y? :confused:

As a matter of fact - both.

BUD-HEL-ICN-HEL-BUD (with looong stopover in HEL on the way back :)) was the same price (give or take 50€) in C than HEL-ICN-HEL in semi-flex Y - both in the 2000-2100€ range.

I admit ex-BUD can be difficult for "normal" travel, but I happened to be in the neighbourhood and could even use the final HEL-BUD leg as well a month later.

Also HEL-LHR-NRT r/t worked out on both VS and BA C about the same as HEL-NRT in semi-flex Y. (yes, I know that you can snatch cheaper Y ex-HEL, but those must be purchased long beforehand, have specific stay rules and non-changeble - no go for me)

Ex-TLL used to be very good deal, not so much anymore, ex-Sweden there are still some very nice fares.

As I value short total travel time, AY is often the best choice IMO.
Credit to AA or BAEC can be a smart alternative, as they offer 100% earnings on more classes than AY+ does.

Yes, shorter travel time is AY's unique selling point, no argument there.

BAEC (and I assume also AA) - much faster/easier to reach elite levels as well.

The gifts upon renewing status are gone, but you should receive vouchers everytime you renew. 4 euro and 2 long haul for plat.
One thought - vouchers expire after 1 year. So maybe you got the new ones, but at the same time the old (unused) ones did expire, so it looks like you are not getting vouchers anymore?
My voucher saldo has been zero over last two plat renewals, so it must be a glitch in the system :)

If you are satisfied with the AY product, you may as well use them, but just forget the FFP, go for BAEC (or AAdvantage, for that matter) And if you can, start your trip from outside Finland - will save you at least 1k € in C fare.

Strictly the C hard product I'd rate as LX -> VS -> BA -> LH -> AY -> SK
I am satisfied with AY product onboard, excellent crews, decent food etc. I'm just fed up with everything else, so I want to try the alternatives. Just came back from Seoul in LH C. Ok experience, but does not beat AY onboard service IMHO. Mid next week I will be off to Tokyo again. Would like to try LX, but connections from HEL are pretty poor. Maybe I will just take LH again.

My very first post here - however, have read this excellent forum for years :)

Anyone qualified for Finnair lifetime status yet? Any special treatment from Finnair?

Thanks!

My very first post here - however, have read this excellent forum for years :)

Anyone qualified for Finnair lifetime status yet? Any special treatment from Finnair?

Thanks!

Nobody here has admitted reaching lifetime status, as far as I can remember.

But, welcome to Flyertalk!

Does AY have 4 segments on AY requirement for elite as in some other Oneworld carriers? :confused: I don't see it on the website.

Does AY have 4 segments on AY requirement for elite as in some other Oneworld carriers?

No, it doesn't.

On the other hand I don't see much point getting a OW status from AY if you are not flying with them. Maybe if you know you are going to in a future but otherwise there are better programs to credit to.

Yep, there's absolutely nothing in AY Plus for OW flyer who do not fly with AY so this is not a smallest issue for them..they have big problems keeping many AY flyers to stay with their scheme..

On the other hand I don't see much point getting a OW status from AY if you are not flying with them. Maybe if you know you are going to in a future but otherwise there are better programs to credit to.

What do you think is/are better program(s)? :confused: AY uses KM which give you more points.:)

With the recent revamping of the scheme, AY+ got better this year IF you are flying on AY. (earn/burn, reaching status)

If you are not flying them or only rarely, it's not a good choice. Low earning, high status tresholds, high redemption prices (both point and YQ-wise).

BAEC is better, many say AA is better too.

BAEC is better, many say AA is better too.

Maybe AY Plus should be sold to BA Avios programme!:D

If the question is about lifetime status (as in OP) then there are only 3 programs on OW that does that IIRC. QF, AY and AA. AA lifetime status is not officially offered, and is rumoured to go away.

What do you think is/are better program(s)? :confused: AY uses KM which give you more points.:)

More points, terrible redemption options.

If the question is about lifetime status (as in OP) then there are only 3 programs on OW that does that IIRC. QF, AY and AA. AA lifetime status is not officially offered, and is rumoured to go away.

AA lifetime status has been official (http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/millionMiler.jsp) since 11/2011 and has existed for a much longer period. No lifetime Emerald exists, however.

AA lifetime status has been official (http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/millionMiler.jsp) since 11/2011 and has existed for a much longer period. No lifetime Emerald exists, however.

And with major difference being that only miles from flying count towards LT status...they used to count credit card etc. miles as well..soo much quicker for many/most to earn LT level with AA.

And with major difference being that only miles from flying count towards LT status...they used to count credit card etc. miles as well..soo much quicker for many/most to earn LT level with AA.

I don't think there's a single airline out there between OW and *A that would currently count CC spend towards lifetime status, or is there a hidden gem somewhere? :)

With the recent revamping of the scheme, AY+ got better this year IF you are flying on AY. (earn/burn, reaching status)

That's what I thought too, but in my case the numbers seem to work against me after the "enhancement."

Whereas before I could book a return trip from WAW to SIN in C and that would be enough to qualify me for Silver, nowadays I would still be short of qualification.

I don't think there's a single airline out there between OW and *A that would currently count CC spend towards lifetime status, or is there a hidden gem somewhere? :)

No clue as I do not follow such things on general level...just stated this fact about AAdvantage.

That's what I thought too, but in my case the numbers seem to work against me after the "enhancement."

Whereas before I could book a return trip from WAW to SIN in C and that would be enough to qualify me for Silver, nowadays I would still be short of qualification.

True, in longhaul C the earning went back a very little on some routes. The big improvement is for shorthaul Y (and also C) flyers.

But the good news is that WAW-HEL-SIN-HEL-WAW in C earns 38k points and if you are already silver, you get the 10% status bonus, so you're over the 40k Silver treshold, anyway.

With this trend and current way of accruing AY+ points, I will be 118 years when the lifetime gold will be sent to me with fanfares and bucket of roses.

prkl!

With the rapid advances in medicine, who knows? :)