tony2022

Hello everyone, I fly LHR-OSL-LYR return in J at least twice a year, which has always been a really useful way to help retain Gold on A3.

I'm planning on flying this route again in November/December, but with the exit of SK from *A suggested to take place during the first half of 2024, my question is - would I be better off waiting to find out the state of play in relation to earning points with SK on *A, before I book in J?

Would a 'point earning' agreement between SK and A3 (or indeed any other *A carrier) even be possible/likely in future, or is that just wishful thinking on my part?

I appreciate that there are many 'unknowns', but would be grateful for any tips. Thank you

DELLAS

If all goes to plan when they leave expect the earning and burning to cease very quickly unless there are any legal hold ups with the authorities. With AF / KL seeking more control over SAS they will want them integrated and ditching Star asap.

I will miss SK in the alliance I had some good trips on them. If I do a few more it will most likely be a case of booking a few weeks before as anything else is risky if you are relying on the miles.

irishguy28

It's almost certain that SK will NOT have left *A by the end of June 2024. The takeover has not yet cleared any of the competition hurdles; and there would have to be a certain period of notice before SK quits *A (granted, we know unofficially that it is their intention, but they would still need to come with a clearer indication of when it is happening, and allow a minimum of time for their own status members to react).

However, if it is part of your strategy to earn status in A3's program, then I would advise you to avoid SK for flights going much further into the future.

There is little to no chance that A3 will still allow mileage earning on SK flights after it has left *A. With the exception of Olympic - which is their own airline - A3 only allows earning on Star Alliance airlines. I am not aware of any particular closeness in the relationship between SAS and A3 that would see either airline seek to maintain earning/burning privileges after SK quits *A.

djjaguar64

It's sad I liked SAS but I guess we have enuf Star connections through the Scandinavian countries.

Harper50505

I have read recently but I can't find the article that SAS plan to quit *A in Q2 of 2024. I thought that was early and there wouldn't be regulatory clearance by then but of course whether the AF/KLM deal goes through or not, they could still move to Sky Team. I have a few bookings with them for TOS and HEL through this year but I also have Sky Team status (AF/KLM are the only main line option out of ORK) so I'm interested to see what happens. Certainly at the moment in booking, the options for frequent flyer details are all *A with no mention of Sky Team but it could all change very quickly.

irishguy28

If the takeover fails for whatever reason, they could also move to oneworld. But I think the far most likely option is that they would remain in Star.

BA6948

But then we may see AZ join Star. It has a really good product especially in Business Class. SAS can still joing Skyteam to complete the all bland cold & boring Business Meals Club.

Harper50505

And equally they could join no alliance at all. I can't see them joining oneworld so close geographically to Finnair but if they want some alignment to AF/KLM then SkyTeam makes sense.

In *A they have never had much more than a few interlines with LH who of course sit at the heart of Europe and of course LH just wants every other airline to be an LH feeder which SK clearly don't want to be and have bigger ambitions so I think they will go whatever.

irishguy28

Indeed; but IAG seems to think they can fold Air Europa into oneworld, *AND* they want to buy TAP.

So oneworld is all about getting every airline in a peninsula into the alliance ;-)

1353513636

FWIW A3 allowed earning on US Airways for a while after it left for oneworld, however, the miles did not count for status and were only award miles, so probably any such arrangement wouldn't be too helpful for the OP.

Harper50505

No doubt oneworld is ambitious but given the presence of Iberia and probably Air Europa, I can't ever see the EU allowing TAP to be bought up by IAG. If they were, the idea of a competition commission would be a joke.

tony2022

I appreciate all the tips and advice so far - thank you.

I've decided to hedge my bets and book the more expensive outbound leg from LHR using A3 points (whilst I still can!), and paid for the return leg in J as SAS currently have a sale.

I wouldn't bet against DY joining *A in the not-too-distant future, in order to restore Scandinavian coverage

aflo

I would bet a lot of money against DY joining any of the three big alliances.

Jamichi1

I think the takeover will happen sooner or later, even if it fails now, so they will move eventually to Oneworld. Definitely a loss to Star Alliance.

giorginho

https://www.flysas.com/en/eurobonus/skyteam/
September 1st is the date...!