Feb 23, 2015, 6:35 am
Last edit by: NWIFlyer
With the evolution of the Miles&Bonus program, there are a number of threads on this forum that contain outdated information, plus a further set that - whilst describing the new program - contain conflicting information that has only been crystallised as we all discover how certain aspects of the program either work or are interpreted.
It is perhaps therefore unsurprising that many new members find searching through this myriad of threads a little daunting, and consequently they post a question in one of the FAQ threads.
This tends to irk those who've been around for a while who expect the new posters to at least do some basic searching before posting a question that has probably been asked many times before. This also causes the forums to become very congested and less easy to read through with the same question being asked and answered many times.
I am therefore creating a thread, which will be stickied, for anyone to ask any question they like about the M&B program where they are unsure or it's not obvious where they should be posting it.
There is no such thing in this thread as a stupid question, no issue with asking a repeat question, and any answers should be 100% flame-free. I will take a dim view of anyone that abuses a member or provides a less than helpful answer (such as 'do a search') to any question asked in here, because this is being created to benefit all of us so the other threads flow more cleanly. Thank you for your co-operation on this.
It might be that I move questions to more appropriate threads so they receive an answer more quickly, but if I do so I will always add a note to indicate where they originated, and ask that the flame-free answer principle be respected.
NWIFlyer
Moderator
Aegean M&B
It is perhaps therefore unsurprising that many new members find searching through this myriad of threads a little daunting, and consequently they post a question in one of the FAQ threads.
This tends to irk those who've been around for a while who expect the new posters to at least do some basic searching before posting a question that has probably been asked many times before. This also causes the forums to become very congested and less easy to read through with the same question being asked and answered many times.
I am therefore creating a thread, which will be stickied, for anyone to ask any question they like about the M&B program where they are unsure or it's not obvious where they should be posting it.
There is no such thing in this thread as a stupid question, no issue with asking a repeat question, and any answers should be 100% flame-free. I will take a dim view of anyone that abuses a member or provides a less than helpful answer (such as 'do a search') to any question asked in here, because this is being created to benefit all of us so the other threads flow more cleanly. Thank you for your co-operation on this.
It might be that I move questions to more appropriate threads so they receive an answer more quickly, but if I do so I will always add a note to indicate where they originated, and ask that the flame-free answer principle be respected.
NWIFlyer
Moderator
Aegean M&B
Flame-Free Questions on A3 - ask your newbie (and not so newbie) questions here
Dec 26, 2018, 3:46 am
#1846
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: FRA, JFK
Programs: BAEC GGL, A3*S, Bonvoy Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 1,007
It's not necessarily the easiest but it's certainly not the most difficult one.
Really depends on which carriers and booking classes he flies.
For instance, somebody who flies mostly cheap LH fares will not earn anything in most programs.
Hence, the answer is, as usual, it depends.
Really depends on which carriers and booking classes he flies.
For instance, somebody who flies mostly cheap LH fares will not earn anything in most programs.
Hence, the answer is, as usual, it depends.
Dec 26, 2018, 4:39 am
#1847
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 27
It's not necessarily the easiest but it's certainly not the most difficult one.
Really depends on which carriers and booking classes he flies.
For instance, somebody who flies mostly cheap LH fares will not earn anything in most programs.
Hence, the answer is, as usual, it depends.
Really depends on which carriers and booking classes he flies.
For instance, somebody who flies mostly cheap LH fares will not earn anything in most programs.
Hence, the answer is, as usual, it depends.
Dec 26, 2018, 5:05 am
#1848
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: FRA, JFK
Programs: BAEC GGL, A3*S, Bonvoy Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 1,007
But to get *G privileges you need to get *G.
And how easy it is to get *G depends on the revenue flights you take.
By flying X awards you'll never get anything.
Dec 26, 2018, 9:15 am
#1849
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,342
You don't just 'get' *A Gold. You will have to fly a whole bunch of *A paid (not award) flights to get it. Once you have it, you can use the benefits on your award flights too.
Dec 26, 2018, 1:20 pm
#1850
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 27
i fully understand, thats why im asking if this is the right program to do a mileage run with to get the status, or is there a better option?
Dec 26, 2018, 2:06 pm
#1851
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,567
There is absolutely no way for somebody like your brother, who never flies "revenue" to ever achieve *G, and even assuming that the status fairy would make him a gift of gold membership, to maintain *G without flying using paid tickets.
But I have a question to you: how does your brother get to fly award flights (only!) if he has no status with any FF programme?
But I have a question to you: how does your brother get to fly award flights (only!) if he has no status with any FF programme?
Dec 26, 2018, 2:14 pm
#1852
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 27
credit cards
Dec 26, 2018, 3:45 pm
#1853
Join Date: May 2008
Location: ARN
Posts: 3,472
But do note that most programs require that you fly X number of miles each year in order to maintain Star gold status. So, if he only flies on reward tickets paid with miles from credit cards, he will probably have to do a lot of mileage runs each year in order to maintain gold.
Another thing to think about: Award flights in economy is often a waste of points. You mostly want to book business or first class flights as awards. And if you're already flying in biz or first, there's no need for Star gold status.
Dec 26, 2018, 10:21 pm
#1854
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: YYZ, HKG, MFM
Programs: AC35K, AS MVP, WS Gold, ITA EP, Marriott Plat, Hyatt-Explorist, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,019
The best way is to redeem for business class tickets. You get the same benefits as *G, unless you get IRROP, then you will be behind *G, and possibly *S in J.
Dec 27, 2018, 1:20 pm
#1855
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: YXY
Posts: 3,506
Check LifeMiles. They used to sell *G.
Dec 30, 2018, 1:04 pm
#1856
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KSU (Kristiansund N, Norway)
Programs: SAS EBD/ *G
Posts: 2,163
Food offering in lounge at Thessaloniki?
This might have been answered before, but a quick search gave no answer.
Planning our summer vacation now, might have to connect at Thessaloniki (DOM -> A3 INT, *G). At the A* lounge page ( https://en.aegeanair.com/travel-info...rport/lounges/ ) it is explicitly stated for the Athens and Larnaca lounges that food and drinks are served, no such information is given for the Thessaloniki lounge (nor for the "public lounge" at Athens for that matter), but Aegean state that they will "ensure that the passengers will leave the room relaxed, calm and refreshed."
Are drinks/food offered at the lounge at Thessaloniki?
And another question (not having been to either airport before): other factors being equal: which airport would be best for connecting DOM-INT?
Planning our summer vacation now, might have to connect at Thessaloniki (DOM -> A3 INT, *G). At the A* lounge page ( https://en.aegeanair.com/travel-info...rport/lounges/ ) it is explicitly stated for the Athens and Larnaca lounges that food and drinks are served, no such information is given for the Thessaloniki lounge (nor for the "public lounge" at Athens for that matter), but Aegean state that they will "ensure that the passengers will leave the room relaxed, calm and refreshed."
Are drinks/food offered at the lounge at Thessaloniki?
And another question (not having been to either airport before): other factors being equal: which airport would be best for connecting DOM-INT?
Dec 30, 2018, 2:41 pm
#1857
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,567
Answer to first question is yes, and the second one is difficult to answer because it is rather unclear: What do you mean by INT? Schengen countries such as Norway are handled in the same part of the airport as domestic flights. As for the Schengen -> Non-Schengen transfer, no big deal in any Greek airport, just show your passport at the immigration booth and that's it. Finally, there is no such thing as "other factors being equal": You have to consider a) the connection time, b) the flights (e.g. time of the day and c) the price. Then you simply decide.
Dec 31, 2018, 4:03 am
#1858
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: KSU (Kristiansund N, Norway)
Programs: SAS EBD/ *G
Posts: 2,163
Answer to first question is yes, and the second one is difficult to answer because it is rather unclear: What do you mean by INT? Schengen countries such as Norway are handled in the same part of the airport as domestic flights. As for the Schengen -> Non-Schengen transfer, no big deal in any Greek airport, just show your passport at the immigration booth and that's it. Finally, there is no such thing as "other factors being equal": You have to consider a) the connection time, b) the flights (e.g. time of the day and c) the price. Then you simply decide.
As for the connection, I am travelling DOM-Schengen as you correctly assume (though not to Norway). What I am asking about ,are local factors which cannot be assessed without having first-hand knowledge of the airports in question. I wanted to make it clear that I asked about the connection at SKG vs. ATH as such, not prices/timings etc. To exemplify why I am asking. If I travel on Lufthansa, timings and prices are often similar whether connecting at MUC or at FRA. Other factors equal, and unless travelling first class on LH, most experienced LH travellers - certainly I - would recommend connecting at MUC, (tunnel at FRA, often fewer checkpoints between flights at MUC, easier layout of MUC). If connecting at ARN Schengen flights and domestic Swedish flights are at at different terminals, quite a distance apart. At some airports propeller flights (similar to those Olympic use) are at a different terminal from mainline flights, Some airports might security screen all connecting passengers etc.
As I understand you, both airports have domestic and Schengen flights in the same part of the airport, and there are no other local differences that should be noted?
Dec 31, 2018, 5:31 am
#1859
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PAS, Paros Greece
Programs: A3 *G
Posts: 1,375
Both ATH and SKG are easy enough to transit Domestic to Schengen but I believe you will have to re-clear security at SKG. At ATH you will arrive right into airside departures so will have no formalities and more time to spend in the lounge. You will also have a choice of lounges at ATH (the LH lounge can have better food and drink options etc.). Also, if something goes wrong with your connection, you'll stand a much better chance of being re-routed efficiently at ATH due to the large number of *A flights. About all that SKG has going for it (I don't mean the city, that's GREAT) is direct boarding from the lounge to the aircraft in a dedicated bus - but then again, I think that's only for A3 flights.
Dec 31, 2018, 7:14 am
#1860
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 3
That's what I expericend when arriving, yes. The bus stops right in front of the terminal at SKG and you enter it at ground level where the baggage claim is located while the departure gates are one level higher behind security.