Will Etihad join Star Alliance - impact for EuroBonus
 

Rumors are saying that Abu Dhabi based Etihad is considering joining Star Alliance,
Any idea on what will happen to SAS EuroBonus members and the use of EB-points for EY suites to down under?

Since no one knows whether this is more than just a rumour, no one knows how they will handle a potential alliance membership. It would probably make sense for EY. I think QR benefits quite a bit from Oneworld membership.

However, since EY generally makes both First Class Apartment and Residence seats available for redemption by partner programs I would guess that would continue in some shape or form. However with the full alliance of point hoarders ready to pounce on the seats, they are likely to become very tough come by. Should it happen.

If past experience is anything to go by don't hold your breath. IF it happens it will likely take more than a year from the first OFFICIAL announcement......

That too....

Its bound to happen, the ME carriers need Alliances to continue being successful. Perhaps Emirates doesn't but since QR has OW, SV has ST, Ethad has to go somewhere.

I'd love to see EY join the Star Alliance but I feel caution.

Remember that Qatar were almost at the point of announcement after quite a deep partnership with LH but then at the crucial point LH pulled the plug and refused to allow QR to join. Now LH has a partnership of similar vein with EY, possibly based on some common work after the demise of Air Berlin and while LH has done joint work they have always resisted including in the courts the influence of the Gulf carriers. If EY joined *A it may be that EK would be able to overturn the protection LH enjoys in Germany and gain wider access than their current four points which I think are FRA, MUC, DUS & HAM.

Equally, as the Gulf is not a destination in its own right for many SQ who have no doubt lost out to the Gulf carriers too are noted not to be keen on having EY on board. They and LH are big players with a lot of influence. Maybe they will think it better to have an ally now rather than not but I wouldn't hold my breath. Air India might also have reservations about a Gulf carrier.

Let's hope EY do join though, from a passenger's point of view, they would be a great addition.

Do you have any reasonably credible sources you can cite? Completely aside from that, your question will not be answerable until such an event happens (if it does), so nothing to fret about at the moment.

it has been rumoured that CX would have been switching to Star Alliance. Nothing has yet to been materialised. We should wait until this becomes a reality

I always doubted that CX wanted to join Star Alliance, and I even more doubt that SQ and TG are particularly interested in them joining.

EY I can at least see their potential interest, though TG and SQ would most likely recent it even more than CX joining

EY is Stumbling along and a classic zombie airline right now. Much weaker than Qatar or Emirates. Joining *A will just accelerate it's demise.

Were they not already stumbling weirdly along when they started all their investment in failing European Airlines?? Not just right now, but stumbling for a quite long while....

They are selling off parts of their fleet and people are using their MRO facilities in AUH.... LH is helping them recover some of their losses. If fuel goes up any further the fall is imminent.

Sky Team it is then. :D

Amex
 

Does the amex 241 work with ey?