Which program do I choose
 

I am currently in the SAS Eurobonus program, but since I recently moved to the US (NJ) I thought it might be optimal for me to switch to another Star Alliance program instead of the one with SAS.

I don't quite know my flying pattern that well yet. I expect to make an occasional fligth to CPH from EWR, but expect most travel to be within US but also some to other European destinations than CPH. Most flying will be economy class. I expect to be traveling maybe around twice per month and will probably be redeeming for flights rather than upgrades.

Any recommendations?

How much flying will you be doing, and with which airlines, and in which classes? And in which regions of the world will you be redeeming? For flights or upgrades? these are the kinds of things you need to figure out before you commit to a FFP...

by the by, if you're moving to jersey, you might want to jump to continental, just for ease of nonstop flights from EWR... And they do fly nonstop EWR to ARN/CPH/OSL.

Welcome to FT davor!!

A bit more information would be needed such as your flying patterns (what airlines, class of travel, which routes, how often you fly, price of the tickets etc).

Also, you said that you are a member of SAS Eurobonus, what level?
If you have silver or gold you may get one of the US airlines to comp your status based on the fact that you have changed flying patterns and will be travel much more within the US.

Additional info
 

Hi oopsz,

I actually don't know my flying pattern all that well yet. I expect to make an occasional fligth to CPH from EWR, but expect most travel to be within US but also some to other European destinations than CPH. Most flying will be economy class. I expect to be traveling maybe around twice per month and will probably be redeeming for flights rather than upgrades.

I appreciate your help

Additional info
 

Thanks for taking the time to help Jacob!

I actually don't know my flying pattern all that well yet. I expect to make an occasional fligth to CPH from EWR, but expect most travel to be within US but also some to other European destinations than CPH. Most flying will be economy class. I expect to be traveling maybe around twice per month and will probably be redeeming for flights rather than upgrades.

I am currently a silver member with SAS Eurobonus, but will be a gold member soon. Do most airlines agree to transfer your current status with another airline like you are suggesting? - or are there certain ones that are more willing to do so than others?

Thanks

David

SK Gold allows you to enter US/UA lounges in the US on purely domestic itineraries. The same cannot be said of US*G or UA*G - you have to purchase lounge membership at an additional cost.

Some airlines do status comps, but that means you would have to switch to another alliance.
As you are SAS silver (soon gold) you can not automatically switch to another Star Alliance carrier and keep your status (but of course you can always start from scratch), so United Airlines and US Airways are excluded, but you could always try with Delta, American or Northwest.
I'm really not an expert on US carriers so I'm sure there are others who have better insight into this.
I also think there is a sticky somewhere about status matches and where you should send your documents.

All FF-programs have their pros and cons. The US programs tend to have better recognition and also offer many possibilities for free upgrades.
However if you are gold in a US program you usually don't get lounge access other than if you fly outside the US or on an international flight ex-US.
Lounge passes within the US are available for purchase, the fact that you are gold makes no difference other than that you get a discount on the lounge pass.
This is a major difference from for example SAS gold where you get lounge access everywhere, including when flying domestically within the US.

Thanks Jacob.

It sounds like I am best of sticking to the Eurobonus program and then maybe try to get a status comp with some of the US carriers on the other alliances. Which carrier would you recommend for the Skyteam alliance & the Oneworld alliance respectively?

Thanks in advance

David

I personally like ST - they have three carriers in the US vs. OW's 1 which gives one more earning flexibility. CO is in the best financial shape, but I don't think DL or NW are going belly up anytime soon. I have had the best upgrade percentages on NW and very good experiences with DL. With CO, it was hit or (more often) miss and so I stopped flying them. If you go with NW or CO, you can get upgrades with either while DL only gives you upgrades on DL. In the end - you have to see where your base is, where you go in the US and decide accordingly... Good luck!

Except for lounge access in the US, American programs (all) are a lot more generous than Eurobonus. I will talk about United because it's what I know, but this is just to give you an idea:

* 100% miles earning on all fare classes including deep discount economy. This applies to UA and US metal, other * airlines are case by case but in general earnings are more generous than if accruing to EB.
* 25% mileage bonus for 2P (* silver, 25K miles to qualify), 100% for 1P (* gold, 50K miles to qualify) valid on UA, US and LH transatlantic.
* Many many promotions to pile up lots of miles (credit cards, double mileage promos, ameniti, etc).
* Domestic upgrades are not free on United but you get 4 500 mile upgrade certificates for every 10K miles you fly on United metal. If you don't use them they turn to miles at expiration.
* Lower redemption levels, even after the October 2006 increase.
* In general, you also get more recognition if you fly the airline you have status on.


United has a weak presence in EWR so I'm not saying it's the right program for you. I just wanted to highlight some of the huge differences between Eurobonus and a typical US program. For me, these differences far outweight lounge access.