In the autumn of last year, it was announced that SAS Scandinavian Airlines was planning to leave Star Alliance. This decision was prompted by Air France-KLM’s involvement during the current restructuring. Instead, SAS will be joining the SkyTeam aviation alliance alongside their new stakeholders.
However, there was no specific schedule for this until now. It was only anticipated that the move would likely happen at some point in 2024. Now, SAS has confirmed the date: The airline’s departure from Star Alliance will take place on September 1, 2024. As of September, miles and frequent flyer benefits will be available for flights with most SkyTeam airlines (sic!).
This impending change has far-reaching implications. Customers who have already booked a ticket for travel with SAS from September onwards will earn mileage with Star Alliance loyalty programs. Additionally, any benefits associated with a Star Alliance Gold frequent flyer status will no longer apply. But that’s not all.
Consequences of the Alliance Switch
The consequences of the whole thing are quite far-reaching. We have tried to summarize the most important points:
For SAS EuroBonus Customers:
- Those looking to extend their status will now need to fly with SAS and the SkyTeam partners in the future. You can no longer earn miles for flights with Star Alliance partners.
- As of September 1, anyone traveling with other Star Alliance members will lose their status benefits on these flights.
- Even holders of a lifetime status will no longer be able to utilize it with Lufthansa, United, and other Star Alliance members as of September. However, perpetual benefits with SkyTeam airlines will become available.
- Until August 31, it will still be possible to book award flights with Star Alliance members. After that, you won’t be able to rebook to other Star Alliance members.
- From September 1, award flights with SkyTeam airlines can be booked. However, this may not be particularly attractive.
- Currently, the additional baggage allowance status benefit does not apply to the Basic fare. This restriction is likely to be eliminated in the future. This is because with SkyTeam, the principle applies: 0 + 1 = 1. Therefore, even holders of EuroBonus Silver (and above) can check in a bag free of charge, even in the cheapest fare class.
- It is possible that SAS will also adjust the mileage table for award flights as part of the switch, but this is purely speculative on our part.
For Star Alliance Frequent Flyers:
- Those who have already booked a ticket with SAS (for travel from September onwards) will no longer receive miles from flights with Star Alliance members.
- For travel from September 1, the usual status benefits will no longer apply (lounge access, priority boarding, additional baggage allowance, etc.), regardless of when the trip was booked.
- Previously booked award flights will still be honored for travel after September. However, they will not include the usual status benefits.
- In the future, it will likely no longer be possible to book SAS tickets with Lufthansa feeder flights.
For Skyteam Frequent Flyers:
The only group of people who consistently benefit are frequent flyers of other SkyTeam airlines. These are some of the reasons:
- Those who collect miles with Delta SkyMiles, Flying Blue, and other SkyTeam member airlines can now also redeem them for flights with SAS.
- Holders of a frequent flyer status (SkyTeam Elite / Elite Plus) can now also utilize their benefits on flights with SAS and thus extend their status.
Will SkyTeam Benefits Be Limited at the Beginning?
SAS consistently utilizes the following wording on their website:
with most SkyTeam airlines
SAS | From Star Alliance to SkyTeam
There isn’t a single explicit statement that SAS will definitively join the SkyTeam Alliance on September 1. It is only mentioned that August 31 is the definite date of departure from the Star Alliance.
This raises the question, whether SAS will truly become a full member of the SkyTeam as early as September 1.
It’s possible that this situation will resemble that of ITA Airways: the airline joined the SkyTeam Alliance shortly after its formation, but to this day, ITA’s frequent flyer status is not recognized by all SkyTeam partners. It simply takes time to finalize all the necessary contracts.
Conclusion
SAS’s alliance switch shakes up the entire European aviation landscape. In return, there seems to be an impending switch from ITA Airways, which will then move from SkyTeam to the Star Alliance. However, for Star Alliance frequent flyers and status holders, this is rather scant consolation.