Economy Smartium service onboard
May 24, 2023, 9:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: TPE, EWR
Programs: UA*S, CX*S, CI*G
Posts: 67
Economy Smartium service onboard
Just booked my first Asiana flight (TPE-ICN-JFK) post-pandemic and noted that the first 3 rows of A359 are marketed as "Smartium".
Is it similar to UA Economy+/DL Comfort+ in which you get a better seat yet the service isn't much different from the normal Economy?
(The amenity set looks the same as the one in the normal Economy)
I am trying to justify buying up to Smartium but it seems like all airport benefits one can get in Smartium are the same as a Stargold member can get.
Is it similar to UA Economy+/DL Comfort+ in which you get a better seat yet the service isn't much different from the normal Economy?
(The amenity set looks the same as the one in the normal Economy)
I am trying to justify buying up to Smartium but it seems like all airport benefits one can get in Smartium are the same as a Stargold member can get.
Aug 7, 2023, 5:50 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SYD
Programs: OZ Platinum LifeTime; DL PM; QF Gold; VA Gold; HH Diamond; IHG Diamond
Posts: 1,128
Aug 7, 2023, 6:19 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Somewhere in Y class
Programs: OZ D+ Lifetime
Posts: 1,181
In my experience, the airline would rather let the seats go empty as opposed to letting Star* members and Asiana members getting an opportunity to sit there. Paying the upgrade fee might be worth it as the possibility of the seat next to you being empty is much higher.
Jan 16, 2024, 1:22 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,983
Interesting, Im getting the same thing. I paid for a Business (U) fare, but it is showing up as an Economy Smartium fare on my Okinawa-ICN flight when I log in online. I did not pay for that, I paid for a business fare. Does OZ just downgrade aircraft and sell it as a business class product? Does "Smartium" include better meals and seat selection? I can't do either.