I'm flying mostly from/to RIX on BT; sometimes LO, LH, OS, or SK. Around 10-15 return flights within Europe per year. Lowest economy class.

How do I choose FFP? The only benefit I'm interested in would be business class check-in. I found out that Eurobonus Silver gives that; but at required 20 000 miles and low earnings in economy, it would be quite hard to reach.

Are there any other options to get business check-in (without paying for business ticket ) or should I just stick to SAS Eurobonus?

You say you fly to RIX, but where do you begin your journey? That will help us figure it out for you.

if you dont fly too much, than you have to chose a program in which you can accumulate status over the years.

with asiana, once you hit 50K you are a *S and once you hit 100.000k you are a
*G.

after reaching status once, you need 40K for Gold requalificatio within 3 years.

this is the only program which comes into my mind , which lets you do it over the years.

dp

or choose one with generous minimum mileage

I suspect it may be difficult/impossible without some extra flying. According to *A FFP partner airlines (link found in sticky *A useful reference links), SAS is the only *A FFP that will credit Air Baltic (BT) flights - and they count as status.

OTOH if you fly within europe to somewhere other than a LH/LO hub, on *A and on mileage earning fares you might do okay. For programs like United Mileage Plus a 500 mile minimum would net 2000 miles each round trip involving a connection. 12.5 of these a year gives 25,000 miles enough for *Silver status.

Well, actually RIX has become my base lately. I fly mostly to TXL, MUC, DUS, BRU, WAW and VIE.

Kiwi Flyer, thanks for noting that BT isn't in *A and their miles can be credited only on Eurobonus. I somehow overlooked that.

derpelikan, that's a nice idea, but now that I know AirBaltic miles can be earned only with SAS, the rest of my flights wouldn't be enough to requalify on Asiana even within 3 years. Otherwise that would definitely be the way to go.

I guess I'll choose SAS Eurobonus and hope for the best. Any ideas if car rental/hotel stay miles count towards status? Couldn't find a definite answer at the Eurobonus page.

BT is not that bad with reasonably cheap economy flights because they credit 100% for W class. ^ If you see you have something else on air Baltic web, ask a travel agent to make your reservation for you explicitly in W. If you connect to SK, W will give you only 25% on SK. Example - WAW-CPH-RIX in W is 150+600=750 points.

Radissons and Park Inns count to status. 300-500 basic points a night. I've only done Radissons. Also here situation has changed and not all Radisson stays are eligible for earning airline miles or points. If you book at radisson.com, rate says if it is eligible or not.

You can always do a mileage run RIX-BCN-RIX in business class would give you 7200 points for EUR 655 (LVL 460). Single flight TLL-ARN-NYC-ARN-TLL in business for less than EUR 1700 would give you silver card and business check-in immediately. You need a bit more than 8 direct return flights on BT to Germany, Belgium, UK or Ireland in W or higher to get to EuroBonus Silver.

If you have to or decide to connect, give a preference to Stockholm over Copenhagen where possible. You will then earn much more points from Stockholm for the Western Europe. Russia would be exactly the opposite.

dabee69, that's a very informative post, I appreciate that.

I doubt I'll do MR or book W if lower classes are available (cant justify ~ 10 eurocents/mile, as I'm paying for the tickets myself ).

OK, AirBaltic gives 600 miles for both CPH and ARN, and SAS gives more miles for all further flights from ARN than from CPH, except to Russia, where the mile amount is equal. So I'd say it's a wash in this case, or have I overlooked something?

Got an another idea - I have accumulated quite a lot of Marriott points, so can redeem a travel package with

- up to 120 000 miles on the following *A airlines: Air Canada, United Airlines, US Airways, Varig Brasil
- up to 85 000 miles on the following *A airlines: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal (I hope that transferred miles count as status miles?)

Looking from the redemption perspective TAP isn't interesting as European flights are cheap, no need to spend miles; Europe-US/Canada flights also aren't too expensive most of the time, so a minus to Air Canada, United Airlines and US Airways. Won't risk my miles with Varig. That leaves ANA, Asiana Airlines and Singapore Airlines. No objections to travel to Asia/Japan once for a while.

From the T&C of each looks like Asiana is the most gratifying (with 3 year requalification period - and just 15 000 miles more to get *G status).

So the new plan is to transfer 85K miles to Asiana (getting *S) and credit all *A flights there (and earning 15K more in 3 years will get me *G). AirBaltic miles will go to Eurobonus as there is no other option.

Will that work (and is this the best option), or have I overlooked something?

(And, finally, returning to my initial desire, does *S get the same benefits as Eurobonus Silver, i.e., business check-in?)

Miles earned from non-flying activity rarely (very rarely) count for status. The only exception I can think of off-hand is AA lifetime status includes earning from all sources (but annual status does not).

ASIANA GOLD CLUB ELITE MEMBER BENEFITS
GOLD:
Check-In --> Dedicated Counter (Business if not available)
Lounge Access --> none
Priority Boarding --> No
Priority Baggage --> Yes

etc. all info here
Eurobonus: Airport privilegies and more for Silver members
Priority on waiting list
SAS Hot Line 24-hour service at +45 32 32 68 00 Easier check-in with SAS* & other partners
Business check-in, regardless of booked class**
10 kg extra checked baggage on SAS operated flights (except to/from US/Latin America)
Silver members are allowed to use Air One's check-in counters dedicated for Frequent Flyer Members* Scandinavian Airlines, SAS Braathens, Blue1 and Wider�e
info here

Yes, that's Eurobonus Silver.

I don't see info there if Star Alliance Silvers are treated the same.

Asiana Gold (40K miles) gives you Star Alliance Silver.

Asiana Diamond (100K miles) gives you Star Alliance Gold.

I wrote to Asiana support, but I'm afraid Kiwi Flyer is right, miles purchased form Marriott won't count towards Asiana status. Well, back to Eurobonus then...

All listed here:
http://www.staralliance.com/star_all...nt/status.html

*S has reciprocal benefits Alliance Wide, as does *G