Is A3 using OA flight numbers to deny *A benefits?
Apr 12, 2018, 2:43 am
#136
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HEL
Programs: BA Gold, AY Gold
Posts: 649
Earlier this year I flew HEL-MUC-ATH-HER, all on one ticket. The first two flights on LH and the last one was this [redacted] being discussed here. As a *Gold I checked in two bags in HEL with no extra cost. Before boarding in ATH the very nice gate agent told me that I need to pay for my extra bag. I told her firmly that I did not need to pay and used the magic words "most significant carrier". After two phone calls, I was not charged, but I got the feeling that they only wanted to keep me happy (I love Aegean/Olympic, BTW). I was right though, wasn't I?
Last edited by NWIFlyer; Jul 29, 2018 at 10:58 am Reason: To comply with rule 16
Apr 12, 2018, 1:45 pm
#137
Join Date: Nov 2015
Programs: A3*G
Posts: 128
Earlier this year I flew HEL-MUC-ATH-HER, all on one ticket. The first two flights on LH and the last one was this [redacted] being discussed here. As a *Gold I checked in two bags in HEL with no extra cost. Before boarding in ATH the very nice gate agent told me that I need to pay for my extra bag. I told her firmly that I did not need to pay and used the magic words "most significant carrier". After two phone calls, I was not charged, but I got the feeling that they only wanted to keep me happy (I love Aegean/Olympic, BTW). I was right though, wasn't I?
Last edited by NWIFlyer; Jul 29, 2018 at 10:59 am Reason: Amend quote to comply with rule 16
Apr 15, 2018, 6:06 pm
#138
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: GIG
Programs: JJ OW Emerald, TK*G, O6*G, Smiles Diamond, IC Amb, Le Club Platinum, former LH SEN (miss it!)
Posts: 291
ugust I'll be flying from JTR to ATH on a single ticket. From there, a new ticket with BA stars to LHR. The A3/OA flights lands at ATH at 18:05 and my flight to LHR departs at 19:55. I was expecting to have the second bag benefit as a *Gold but it seems I might be wrong about that, hum?
Should I stick to Sky Express and of their ATRs instead?
Should I stick to Sky Express and of their ATRs instead?
Apr 15, 2018, 7:18 pm
#139
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,565
I don't understand your question, i.e. the logic behind it! Sky Express will only allow one pc of luggage, whose size depends on the kind of ticket you have (see below). Since you will only be allowed one piece, what is the base of preferring one versus the other? Scheduled departure? Price? You're the one to know!
According the fare you choose, your fare includes one (1) checked in baggage and one (1) handbaggage:
ALL IN. Your fare includes 1 checked in bag up to 25 kilos and one handbag up to 6 kilos.
PLUS. Your fare includes 1 checked in bag up to 15 kilos and one handbag up to 6 kilos.
JUST FLY. Your fare includes 1 checked in bag up to 13 kilos and one handbag up to 6 kilos.
ALL IN. Your fare includes 1 checked in bag up to 25 kilos and one handbag up to 6 kilos.
PLUS. Your fare includes 1 checked in bag up to 15 kilos and one handbag up to 6 kilos.
JUST FLY. Your fare includes 1 checked in bag up to 13 kilos and one handbag up to 6 kilos.
Last edited by KLouis; Apr 15, 2018 at 8:16 pm Reason: added quote from Sky Express site
Apr 16, 2018, 4:54 am
#140
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: GIG
Programs: JJ OW Emerald, TK*G, O6*G, Smiles Diamond, IC Amb, Le Club Platinum, former LH SEN (miss it!)
Posts: 291
I don't understand your question, i.e. the logic behind it! Sky Express will only allow one pc of luggage, whose size depends on the kind of ticket you have (see below). Since you will only be allowed one piece, what is the base of preferring one versus the other? Scheduled departure? Price? You're the one to know!
Never been to ATH before, but my point is that A3/OA scheduled arrival in ATH looks a bit tight at 18:05 as I'll have a flight with BA at 19:55. Benefits of *Gold such as a second free luggage, priority on getting my luggage back (I know this tends to be a joke) and even some points in one of my FFPs account within the alliance were playing some role here.
If none of this is true, maybe I should fly with Sky Express and that's it (ther have a departure form JTH around 16h). Do you have any tip about A3/OA reliability on schedule during summer? This JTR ATH is going to be on a Tuesday, if that makes any difference.
Apr 16, 2018, 6:47 am
#141
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PAS, Paros Greece
Programs: A3 *G
Posts: 1,370
Thanks for your answer. You're right, something got lost in my post while editing it.
Never been to ATH before, but my point is that A3/OA scheduled arrival in ATH looks a bit tight at 18:05 as I'll have a flight with BA at 19:55. Benefits of *Gold such as a second free luggage, priority on getting my luggage back (I know this tends to be a joke) and even some points in one of my FFPs account within the alliance were playing some role here.
If none of this is true, maybe I should fly with Sky Express and that's it (ther have a departure form JTH around 16h). Do you have any tip about A3/OA reliability on schedule during summer? This JTR ATH is going to be on a Tuesday, if that makes any difference.
Never been to ATH before, but my point is that A3/OA scheduled arrival in ATH looks a bit tight at 18:05 as I'll have a flight with BA at 19:55. Benefits of *Gold such as a second free luggage, priority on getting my luggage back (I know this tends to be a joke) and even some points in one of my FFPs account within the alliance were playing some role here.
If none of this is true, maybe I should fly with Sky Express and that's it (ther have a departure form JTH around 16h). Do you have any tip about A3/OA reliability on schedule during summer? This JTR ATH is going to be on a Tuesday, if that makes any difference.
Apr 16, 2018, 7:06 am
#142
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: ARN
Programs: A3*G, SK*G
Posts: 336
Thanks for your answer. You're right, something got lost in my post while editing it.
Never been to ATH before, but my point is that A3/OA scheduled arrival in ATH looks a bit tight at 18:05 as I'll have a flight with BA at 19:55. Benefits of *Gold such as a second free luggage, priority on getting my luggage back (I know this tends to be a joke) and even some points in one of my FFPs account within the alliance were playing some role here.
If none of this is true, maybe I should fly with Sky Express and that's it (ther have a departure form JTH around 16h). Do you have any tip about A3/OA reliability on schedule during summer? This JTR ATH is going to be on a Tuesday, if that makes any difference.
Never been to ATH before, but my point is that A3/OA scheduled arrival in ATH looks a bit tight at 18:05 as I'll have a flight with BA at 19:55. Benefits of *Gold such as a second free luggage, priority on getting my luggage back (I know this tends to be a joke) and even some points in one of my FFPs account within the alliance were playing some role here.
If none of this is true, maybe I should fly with Sky Express and that's it (ther have a departure form JTH around 16h). Do you have any tip about A3/OA reliability on schedule during summer? This JTR ATH is going to be on a Tuesday, if that makes any difference.
During summer months though delays occur more often than in the rest of the year. Morning flights leave pretty much on time, but as the day goes by delays accumulate, and the late night flights very often end up delayed by 45 to 60 mins. Since your flight is in late afternoon, my guess would be an expected delay of about half an hour. Personally I would go for Sky Express to be on the safe side, since in this case it would take a larger delay for you to miss your ATH-LHR flight. Note also that you will need to clear passport control in ATH after picking up / rechecking your bags. All the above having in mind of course that unexpected delays or issues can show up with any airline.
Apr 16, 2018, 8:37 am
#143
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,565
From my experience, OA/A3’s scheduled departure/arrival times are always not the most reliable ones, since there are very often small (but not minor) delays, usually around 20 to 40 mins. On the other hand, again from my experience, rarely are there very severe delays.
During summer months though delays occur more often than in the rest of the year. Morning flights leave pretty much on time, but as the day goes by delays accumulate, and the late night flights very often end up delayed by 45 to 60 mins. Since your flight is in late afternoon, my guess would be an expected delay of about half an hour. Personally I would go for Sky Express to be on the safe side, since in this case it would take a larger delay for you to miss your ATH-LHR flight. Note also that you will need to clear passport control in ATH after picking up / rechecking your bags. All the above having in mind of course that unexpected delays or issues can show up with any airline.
During summer months though delays occur more often than in the rest of the year. Morning flights leave pretty much on time, but as the day goes by delays accumulate, and the late night flights very often end up delayed by 45 to 60 mins. Since your flight is in late afternoon, my guess would be an expected delay of about half an hour. Personally I would go for Sky Express to be on the safe side, since in this case it would take a larger delay for you to miss your ATH-LHR flight. Note also that you will need to clear passport control in ATH after picking up / rechecking your bags. All the above having in mind of course that unexpected delays or issues can show up with any airline.
Apr 16, 2018, 9:30 am
#144
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: 39000ft
Posts: 955
Please keep in mind that GQ also might have big delays in the summer, especially since the fleet is not that large and there is the "domino effect" - a propagated delay. Things have been improved lately, but consider yourself warned.
Jun 30, 2018, 4:10 am
#145
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: CO PLT, AA PLT, SPG Gold, Fairmont Premier, Avis First
Posts: 119
So an interesting data point I took an Olympic flight today that started with O, from Athens to Crete. The flight was bought on the Aegean website but was clearly stated as an Olympic flight. When checking in I did get a priority sticker on my checked bag tag, however my companion on the same reservation did not. We also received fast track, priority boarding for star alliance gold. Not terrible but he only thing missing from the *A gold benefits was a dedicated check in area. YMMV
Jun 30, 2018, 5:20 am
#146
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PAS, Paros Greece
Programs: A3 *G
Posts: 1,370
Jun 30, 2018, 5:52 am
#147
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: CO PLT, AA PLT, SPG Gold, Fairmont Premier, Avis First
Posts: 119
i checked in online prior to my flight and it indicated that I would get 2 checked bags with no cost, however I only checked one (free) so I am not sure if the second would have been honored. I did not have enough time at the airport in Athens to use the club. I am not sure if Aegan/Olympic have a lounge but I did see a Lufthansa lounge when I was going down to my gate, I did not try to use the lounge but I assume they would have honored a *A gold benefits.
Jul 1, 2018, 11:31 am
#148
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Instead of pooling everything together:
I keep my A3*G because there are routes without J and I prefer to sit in the lounge at a table so that I can work (nowhere else at ATH or SKG that I know of other than lounges to use as work tables), and also because of the extra baggage allowance for OA flights (besides OA not being creditable to OA flights).
I keep my M&M*G because of access to certain award seats.
I keep my SQ PPS because of VA benefits...*
*Caveat that PPS can be double-dipped, which I do to M&M
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Jul 1, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Jul 7, 2018, 12:36 pm
#149
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 52
What else is frustrating about the OA/A3 trips(aside from the elite mileage aspect), is the fact that you still have to pick up your bags and re-check back in.....due to "OA not having an agreement with UA". It's one thing going into ATH from another country, and doing customs in ATH(which makes sense, this is the first point of entry).....but this "non-agreement" slows things down, going home in the other direction.
Jul 7, 2018, 8:13 pm
#150
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,565
What else is frustrating about the OA/A3 trips(aside from the elite mileage aspect), is the fact that you still have to pick up your bags and re-check back in.....due to "OA not having an agreement with UA". It's one thing going into ATH from another country, and doing customs in ATH(which makes sense, this is the first point of entry).....but this "non-agreement" slows things down, going home in the other direction.