SAS or Thai program?
 

Hello, as a long time SAS EuroBonus (and Gold) customer, I now face a travel pattern with at least 8 (likely more) Business Class Europe-Asia round trips a year with Thai.

Would there be any advantages/disadvantages to switch from EuroBonus to Thai ROP program? (Home airport is Oslo)

Why not do both? If you credit 2 of the roundtrips to EB you are EBG again for another 12 months and the 6 other round trips should get you Gold or even Platinum with ROP.

It all depends on how you intend to utilise the benefits of each program and rather have SK or Thai redemption opportunities.

As long as earnings and similar in relevant bookingclasses and both programs have redemption options that is valuable for you, I would also go for both.

As ROP Gold, they offer you once a year a free upgrade to next class

Thanks! From what I can see I would I have good shot at ROP Platinum if I credit all travel to Thai. Any Plat advantages that would make it worth it?

I guess I am a bit confused as to why you would want 2 *G. You will have lounge access regradless, although ROP Platinum might get you into the First lounge in BKK (note: this is an assumption). Otherwise you will be splitting your points between programs and perhaps hurting yourself in that regard. I would check the *A redemption chart and compare it to the TG award chart to see if there is an advantage on crediting to ROP and SAS.

Why not consider one of the ME3 as well? Keep on *A (SK, TG) and then see if what you could get on Emirates or Qatar. If I were to push for elite on two programs, 2 different alliances would seem to make more sense in keeping future options open.

Have a look here
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...help-here.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/star-...post-here.html

As above, status in 2 different alliances would be better than 2 in the same alliance

He mentioned all his tickets are business, so lounge access is hardly the largest motivator as it comes with the fare either way.

If you're based in Scandinavia then it's always good to have a bundle of points and status with SK. Redemption with Thai isn't going to be that useful and Star Alliance rewards are hard to come by.

The direct OSL-BKK doesn't seem to have an F cabin, so to make use of the free upgrade, you would either need to connect (e.g., LHR/FRA/MUC/ZRH/CDG), or use it for a Y to C upgrade.

You just beat me to it...:D

Given that upgrades and lounge access don't matter if OP is already flying J (on SK or TG) and would not be able to fly direct to get and upgrade to F, it seems to me that the only real perk that matters is redemption opportunity. Therefore I still think it is better to chose 1 program that fits the OP's needs...or chose a second alliance and get gold in both. This would give more flexibility in terms of price and availability to fly F (as one would need to route via elsewhere regardless of airline).