Will Etihad join Star Alliance - impact for EuroBonus
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: OSL
Programs: SAS EBD, QR Platinumr, HH Gold, Intercont Platinum Ambassador,CC Gold
Posts: 158
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?
Any idea on what will happen to SAS EuroBonus members and the use of EB-points for EY suites to down under?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,154
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.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,154
#5
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: EuroBonus Diamond, Delta Skymiles 360, BAEC LTG, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 2,827
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.
#6
My hopes are on Oman Air much rather than Etihad. The service level on Oman Air is amazing, no matter the class. And they are looking to expand in the next few years!
They already have a codeshare with Lufthansa
I saldy don’t see Oman Air joining when Etihad koins, althou if both joined it‘d be a win-win for us!
They already have a codeshare with Lufthansa
I saldy don’t see Oman Air joining when Etihad koins, althou if both joined it‘d be a win-win for us!
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK.
Programs: SQ LPPS, A3 *G, BA Silver aiming for Bronze
Posts: 1,506
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.
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.
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
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.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,154
EY I can at least see their potential interest, though TG and SQ would most likely recent it even more than CX joining
#11
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,161
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.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,154
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....
#13
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,161
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.
#14
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534