First flight on SAS in decades coming up
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, Club Carlson Gold, HHonors Gold, Best Western Diamond Select, BA Blue
Posts: 1,335
First flight on SAS in decades coming up
It looks like I might have to travel on SAS for much of this year on the LHR-CPH route.
I haven't flown SAS for decades! What can I expect in comparison to British Airways?
I've just registered for EuroBonus and I'll be staying at a Radisson Blu.
So, some of things I've picked up on are:
1. I should get some Eurobonus points for flying SAS;
2. I can use my Eurobonus number to credit points for my stays at Radisson Blu;
3. SAS is part of the Star Alliance.
Other than that, I know very little else. I'm flying economy and it looks like I have to check in manually at the airport because my flight was booked via a corporate travel agent.
So, some questions:
1. Is there a big queue at LHR T2 check-in on Monday mornings? (I need to ensure I get there on time for check-in as it looks like I cannot check in online).
2. Are there meals served on board or do they have to be purchased?
Is the Eurobonus program worthwhile in terms of rewards? I'd only ever look at flights on other Star Alliance airlines or goods to buy with the points.
I haven't flown SAS for decades! What can I expect in comparison to British Airways?
I've just registered for EuroBonus and I'll be staying at a Radisson Blu.
So, some of things I've picked up on are:
1. I should get some Eurobonus points for flying SAS;
2. I can use my Eurobonus number to credit points for my stays at Radisson Blu;
3. SAS is part of the Star Alliance.
Other than that, I know very little else. I'm flying economy and it looks like I have to check in manually at the airport because my flight was booked via a corporate travel agent.
So, some questions:
1. Is there a big queue at LHR T2 check-in on Monday mornings? (I need to ensure I get there on time for check-in as it looks like I cannot check in online).
2. Are there meals served on board or do they have to be purchased?
Is the Eurobonus program worthwhile in terms of rewards? I'd only ever look at flights on other Star Alliance airlines or goods to buy with the points.
#3
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: EuroBonus Diamond, Delta Skymiles 360, BAEC LTG, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 2,818
Note that you require status to use the fast-track in LHR T2 if you're flying coach. I can't judge about queues on Monday mornings though when I've used it, it has been much (much much much) faster than T5 fast-track. Flying Plus the first few trips will get you to at least Silver status in just 3-4 returns, if your employer won't pay for it then use PG. Don't waste money on paying for food on-board but instead eat at LHR and CPH.
Despite corporate travel agent, you should have no problem using the SAS App for checking-in and going straight to security.
Despite corporate travel agent, you should have no problem using the SAS App for checking-in and going straight to security.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, Club Carlson Gold, HHonors Gold, Best Western Diamond Select, BA Blue
Posts: 1,335
Great, thanks guys. I'm just looking to maximise rewards for personal benefit as it looks like a fairly long stint of travelling on business. I would normally use BA for the flights and an IHG property for the accommodation but neither of these will be available for several reasons (cost and lack of IHG property at my ultimate destination).
I'll book my next flight early next week so will see if Plus is available as we usually have to book the lowest possible fare but there is a small amount of leeway built into the travel site we use of about 50GBP I believe, so if Plus falls into that category then I'll go for it.
BA's similar return flight was more than 200GBP more expensive than SAS! Hence, I couldn't book it.
I'll book my next flight early next week so will see if Plus is available as we usually have to book the lowest possible fare but there is a small amount of leeway built into the travel site we use of about 50GBP I believe, so if Plus falls into that category then I'll go for it.
BA's similar return flight was more than 200GBP more expensive than SAS! Hence, I couldn't book it.
#5
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,123
You should be able to checkin online irregardless of the way the ticket was booked.
If this just a rare sidestep/affair with SAS, you may want to credit the Radisson stay to their loyalty program, Club Carlson.
If this just a rare sidestep/affair with SAS, you may want to credit the Radisson stay to their loyalty program, Club Carlson.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, Club Carlson Gold, HHonors Gold, Best Western Diamond Select, BA Blue
Posts: 1,335
I was actually planning on using my Eurobonus membership for my Radisson Blu stays - i.e. getting points on Eurobonus.
Do you think it's better to credit the SAS flight points to the Radisson Blu loyalty scheme (Club Carlson)?
Ultimately, hotel points are more important to me.
#7
Others have well summarised re. foods and queues.
As for the Eurobonus program, do not expect too much from it in terms of status, recognition and benefits. Silver is useless, Gold and Diamond gets you lounges and fast-track, and this is about it. I would put both of at the same level as BA Silver.
For rewards, it is pretty good for redemptions on SAS metal as there is no surcharges, i.e, the cash component is tax only. Very good for long haul, some good deal in mileage for short haul when you need a last minute ticket and the cash prices are eye watering.
For upgrades using cash, there is a bidding system.
As for the Eurobonus program, do not expect too much from it in terms of status, recognition and benefits. Silver is useless, Gold and Diamond gets you lounges and fast-track, and this is about it. I would put both of at the same level as BA Silver.
For rewards, it is pretty good for redemptions on SAS metal as there is no surcharges, i.e, the cash component is tax only. Very good for long haul, some good deal in mileage for short haul when you need a last minute ticket and the cash prices are eye watering.
For upgrades using cash, there is a bidding system.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,083
It'll be a 6-month affair with SAS and Radisson Blu, almost every week for the 6 months.
I was actually planning on using my Eurobonus membership for my Radisson Blu stays - i.e. getting points on Eurobonus.
Do you think it's better to credit the SAS flight points to the Radisson Blu loyalty scheme (Club Carlson)?
Ultimately, hotel points are more important to me.
I was actually planning on using my Eurobonus membership for my Radisson Blu stays - i.e. getting points on Eurobonus.
Do you think it's better to credit the SAS flight points to the Radisson Blu loyalty scheme (Club Carlson)?
Ultimately, hotel points are more important to me.
#9
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,123
4 stays at a nordic Radisson Blu will most certainly yield 1-2 nights at a decent hotel on Club Carlson. Credited to Eurobonus, the return is minimal.
#10
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: EuroBonus Diamond, Delta Skymiles 360, BAEC LTG, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 2,818
You can always exchange Club Carlson for EB at a 10:1 ratio if you change your mind later. The benefit of Club Carlson as mentioned by Oliver is that it takes little stays for reward nights which are widely available up to the last minute. I don't find it to be a very useful program for holiday redemption but it is one of those programs where it is nice to have a few 100k points stashed for when you need them all of a sudden.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, Club Carlson Gold, HHonors Gold, Best Western Diamond Select, BA Blue
Posts: 1,335
So if I sign up for Club Carlson, I can credit my SAS flights (EuroBonus) AND my Radisson Blu hotel stays to Club Carlson?
If that's the case then I need to register with Club Carlson urgently!
If that's the case then I need to register with Club Carlson urgently!
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, Club Carlson Gold, HHonors Gold, Best Western Diamond Select, BA Blue
Posts: 1,335
Okay, many thanks. I've just registered for Club Carlson. I'll quote my membership number when I check in to the Radisson Blu. For the SAS check-in I'll quote my EuroBonus number.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, Club Carlson Gold, HHonors Gold, Best Western Diamond Select, BA Blue
Posts: 1,335
Enjoyed the flight with SAS today. Efficient, fuss-free and we landed 5 minutes early. At less than half the price of the equivalent BA flight, it was tremendous value for money, even though I wasn't paying.
#15
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,123
Carlson has a promo this quarter where you get an exact bonus for an exact number stays. Its rather stupid, but if you know how many stays you will have in Q1/2017...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/carls...-q1-offer.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/carls...-q1-offer.html