SAS to leave Star Alliance. 31 August 2024
Oct 3, 2023, 12:57 pm
#1
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SAS to leave Star Alliance. 31 August 2024
With today's announcement of AirFrance/KLM investing in SAS (and in the announcement news of them leaving Star Alliance), does anyone have any insight on how long SAS will remain in Star Alliance and (therefore) how long we can expect to earn UA miles/PQPs on SAS flights?
I bought a biz ticket on SAS for December (I know they are not a preferred partner/earnings not great), and assume I will be good, but just wanted to check.
I know it still has to be approved by regulators and even then it could still take time to wind down Star Alliance benefits (just look at Asiana, which is still in Star Alliance, despite being acquired by Korean).
https://thepointsguy.com/news/sas-sc...iance-skyteam/
I bought a biz ticket on SAS for December (I know they are not a preferred partner/earnings not great), and assume I will be good, but just wanted to check.
I know it still has to be approved by regulators and even then it could still take time to wind down Star Alliance benefits (just look at Asiana, which is still in Star Alliance, despite being acquired by Korean).
https://thepointsguy.com/news/sas-sc...iance-skyteam/
Last edited by FoxFlyer; Oct 3, 2023 at 1:00 pm Reason: Added link to story
Oct 3, 2023, 1:13 pm
#3
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"As for Air France-KLM's stake, SAS said it would "continue to operate and serve its customers as usual throughout the implementation of the transaction," expected to come during the second quarter of 2024."
So I think you're quite safe, and I would expect anyone buying for anything near term not to have to worry.
The Korean Air/Asiana merger has been bogged down in antitrust reviews around the world.
This one could be too, though perhaps not as long. But when your press release says "In doing so Air France-KLM will strengthen its footprint in Scandinavian markets." I could see competition agencies taking an interest.
So I think you're quite safe, and I would expect anyone buying for anything near term not to have to worry.
The Korean Air/Asiana merger has been bogged down in antitrust reviews around the world.
This one could be too, though perhaps not as long. But when your press release says "In doing so Air France-KLM will strengthen its footprint in Scandinavian markets." I could see competition agencies taking an interest.
Oct 3, 2023, 1:14 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2023
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With today's announcement of AirFrance/KLM investing in SAS (and in the announcement news of them leaving Star Alliance), does anyone have any insight on how long SAS will remain in Star Alliance and (therefore) how long we can expect to earn UA miles/PQPs on SAS flights?
I bought a biz ticket on SAS for December (I know they are not a preferred partner/earnings not great), and assume I will be good, but just wanted to check.
I know it still has to be approved by regulators and even then it could still take time to wind down Star Alliance benefits (just look at Asiana, which is still in Star Alliance, despite being acquired by Korean).
https://thepointsguy.com/news/sas-sc...iance-skyteam/
I bought a biz ticket on SAS for December (I know they are not a preferred partner/earnings not great), and assume I will be good, but just wanted to check.
I know it still has to be approved by regulators and even then it could still take time to wind down Star Alliance benefits (just look at Asiana, which is still in Star Alliance, despite being acquired by Korean).
https://thepointsguy.com/news/sas-sc...iance-skyteam/
What happens to EuroBonus?
Today, through the Eurobonus loyalty program, SAS customers can book flights with SAS and partners in the Star Alliance airline alliance, such as Lufthansa, United, Turkish and Thai.SAS aims to leave Star Alliance before summer 2024 and join Air France-KLM's Skyteam alliance. SAS promises to honor all agreements until the exchanges are completed, and until then it will still be possible to book travel with Star Alliance airlines for EuroBonus points.
Source: What SAS changes mean for you – E24
So you should likely be good for your flight this December.
Oct 3, 2023, 1:16 pm
#5
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Departure won't happen until sometime in 2024.
If you don't use SAS, correct, but it is a key partner for those needing to travel to the Nordics.
I do have a couple of $500 PE fares left (to LHR). One later this month, and another in 2024. Luckily I can credit to either program.
If you don't use SAS, correct, but it is a key partner for those needing to travel to the Nordics.
I do have a couple of $500 PE fares left (to LHR). One later this month, and another in 2024. Luckily I can credit to either program.
Oct 3, 2023, 1:53 pm
#7
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Oct 3, 2023, 2:13 pm
#8
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I have spent time at the lounges in CPH and will miss it. However, if it means UA could restart EWR-CPH/OSL, then I think that’s not a bad outcome. Could be a way of hanging onto folks who like Star Alliance over SkyTeam for Scandinavia-originating travel to the US.
Oct 3, 2023, 2:39 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 343
I've flown those SK routes many times and, even though the earnings aren't great, they've made up a nice chunk of my PQP over the last few years.
Oct 3, 2023, 2:39 pm
#13
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Oct 3, 2023, 3:00 pm
#14
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Oct 3, 2023, 3:22 pm
#15
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I've certainly enjoyed my flights with SK. For TATL flights to ARN, they win hands-down simply for the fact they fly widebodies and not old, decrepit 757s.