SAS EuroBonus - Clueless Eurobonus agents...

Clueless Eurobonus agents...
So, called Eurobonus today in order to reserve an award ticket from HKG-NRT in First Class. No waiting time at all, but the first agent came up with:
I can book you HKG-NTR-HKG on ANA in First class, it will be 45.000 EB points sir.
Me: Im sorry, but I don’t think that’s in first class
Agent: Oh yes it is First class sir, but their first class is like business class, so its cheaper than other first class
Me: Well im sorry but what is the booking code
Agent: It books into I – it is like I said, same as business class but it is first class
Me: Ok, I think I will just wait a few days before I book it
Called again 10 minutes later, the next agent said the same, and refused to even do a search on HKG-BKK-NRT, cause that routing is not permitted in first class…

Say what SAS?

OMG – why dosent SAS train their staff… :confused:

So could anyone with acces to the ANA tool look up HKG-NRT r/t dep. 27/03 return 01/04 2013... Thanks - this is why I love Flyertalk

Looked the flights up at ANA:

HKG-NRT 27/3-2013: NH912,NH1172,NH910 : No first class but ok in business.

NRT-HKG: 1/4/2013
NH1171,NH909 : No first and Wait List in C .
NH911: No first but OK in Biz

So the EB agent might be right.

(BTW, anyone can sign up at ANA and get access to award status )

Edited to add: Had a look at the seat maps for 763-300ER and 777-200ER that are scheduled for this route. There dosen´t seem to be any first at all on this planes - only business,premium economy and economy : Sorry !

Looked the flights up at ANA:

HKG-NRT 27/3-2013: NH912,NH1172,NH910 : No first class but ok in business.

NRT-HKG: 1/4/2013
NH1171,NH909 : No first and Wait List in C .
NH911: No first but OK in Biz

So the EB agent might be right.

(BTW, anyone can sign up at ANA and get access to award status )

Edited to add: Had a look at the seat maps for 763-300ER and 777-200ER that are scheduled for this route. There dosen´t seem to be any first at all on this planes - only business,premium economy and economy : Sorry !

Thanks for the reply ^

You mention that anyone can see StarAlliance award space at ANA. One doesn’t need to have active miles at ones account any longer to get access to the ANA award tool?

What I mean is that the agent kept telling me that she could get First class on that flight, but NO there is no First class - so the agent should not tell me that my booking is in First when it is in business class - why on earth did she that?
And I know that there currently is no *Alliance flying that route whit an F cabin, so I asked that she added connections ok to get First class with Thai, CA and SQ - but she said that is not allowed with eurobonus - that is pure crap...
I don’t get why the agents at SAS are so clueless about the rules? SAS even advertises with the fact the EB members can book First class awards on all Star Members with First class...

Did you consider booking C on the direct flights rather making this fuss and wasting your time? :confused: Clearly, you already know that F is not available for the direct flights.

I'm sure you can settle with NH or OZ in C for such short flight...

You mention that anyone can see StarAlliance award space at ANA. One doesn’t need to have active miles at ones account any longer to get access to the ANA award tool?


No, you don´t have to have any active miles on the account to use the award tool. At least not , when I signed up last year .They will even mail you their ANA card.

Unless you have a certain number of ANA miles, these days you first need to do a search on ANA flights only and it will then let you broaden it to Star Alliance.

Did you consider booking C on the direct flights rather making this fuss and wasting your time? :confused: Clearly, you already know that F is not available for the direct flights.

I'm sure you can settle with NH or OZ in C for such short flight...

Yes I did, but i would like the ride in F and have time to do a connection. The Thai F lounge is even worth the detour in it self.

I really don't understand why booking an F award is "fussy? :confused: Perhaps it would like to fly in F and perhaps I have 63.280 points that expiries soon...

No, you don´t have to have any active miles on the account to use the award tool. At least not , when I signed up last year .They will even mail you their ANA card.

Cool - I will give it a try - thanks ^

When having the flight numbers ready and knowing that there is award space, the SAS agents just look up the flight numbers and book the tickets. But it is my impression that you have to know everything in detail yourself if you want something just a little out of the ordinary - but guess SAS is so freaky ordinary anyway... Sp what to expect...

Hmm last I checked NH does not have F class on short regional flights like TYO-HKG, so your only realistic choices are SQ (which is the long way around), TG (which only has old style F on some NRT bound flights - meaning longer ground transportation in Tokyo) or OZ (and I'm pretty sure they don't have F on the ICN-HKG leg)...
off course I might be totally wrong, or the equipment might have changed since I did this very same run a few months back in C

Ever since UA swapped to 737 equipment on HKG-NRT there is no direct *A F available. I would definitely try for Thai via BKK if you have the time, it is backtracking but its doable if the agent is "in the mood".. just have a look at one of Jacob Ms TR to see that EB awards can be booked despite backtracking ;)

You can search award availablility fast and easy without register at united.com

Ever since UA swapped to 737 equipment on HKG-NRT there is no direct *A F available. I would definitely try for Thai via BKK if you have the time, it is backtracking but its doable if the agent is "in the mood".. just have a look at one of Jacob Ms TR to see that EB awards can be booked despite backtracking ;)

Thanks! I had success after finding the legs my self using the ANA tool - this link thought me how to do it! http://thepointsguy.com/2011/06/how-to-use-the-ana-award-tool-to-search-star-alliance-award-availability/

:) And Jacobs TR were a great inspiration

Hmm last I checked NH does not have F class on short regional flights like TYO-HKG, so your only realistic choices are SQ (which is the long way around), TG (which only has old style F on some NRT bound flights - meaning longer ground transportation in Tokyo) or OZ (and I'm pretty sure they don't have F on the ICN-HKG leg)...
off course I might be totally wrong, or the equipment might have changed since I did this very same run a few months back in C

TG actually flies the 777 suite configuration to HND from some this winter schedule. I booked the sone to be "old" F on 747 from HKG-BKK and 777 from BKK-HND return on A380 (!) from NRT. I know I can get TG'ed, but hey, its much more fun than the direct ANA in C ^ :)

This is also a useful tool for searching award availability: http://beta.awardtravelr.com/