SK_RSJ

I asked EB how many SK qualifying flights one member needs during the qualification year to be concidered for EBP (I will have about 140 in my account this time...).
The answer I got (translated):

"Thanks for asking about the qualification level for Pandion SK_RSJ.
You have travelled very extensively during the last year and if you continue like this for another two years you will stand a great chance of EBP upgrade.We have recently switched to a fully automated qualification process for Pandion. The system looks at the members spendings in absolute numbers (not booking class etc) during the last three years. It is only SAS domestic and international travel that counts. For Travel Pass customers the system looks in to the amount of money paid for the TP.
To have a lot of Basic Points doesn´t mean that you are selected as those are given out by different partners, including Star Alliance carriers, that doesn´t count towards Pandion status."

No big news, but it seems a lot of C-class travel doesn´t matter at all and the earlier discussion regarding trynefaktor is not relevant either.
Guess I´ll have to spend some more time on planes ha ha

Holmion

Have to switch strategy then I suppose! I definately have to spend LOTS more time in the seat and maybe skip direct flights. More complicated itenaries sshoudl make them impressed? Guess not. But I´m happy to hear this. Great news, although I don´t really believe the EBP-numers will increse that much. They still want to keep this super exclusive.

SK_RSJ

I guss the point is a complex itinerary won´t make a difference only the money you spend - one way or another.
My understanding is that the number of qualifying flights is non important. Only the $$$ will do it from now on.

THD

Maybe they should subtract the amount you COST the airline too since complex itineries would cost the airline more than a simple direct itinery on the same fare

SK_RSJ

Actually, I would expect that the automatic process takes some other info in to account apart from the number of $ spent. But according to the mail I received it is not so.
Probably the most profitable pax is travelling intra Europe in Y on direct flights.

ramo

Hmm... now that we know that EBP is based on spending only, I wonder what the approximate minimum spending would need to be to gain EBP...

Not that I'd personally have a chance, but...

THD

tommy777 was bandying around a figure of 300k NOK, don't know if he ever got the pandion status or whether he credited all to UA. I think someone mentioned somewhere a fortnightly trip in C intra europe would do it, that works out to about 250k SEK (200k NOK). But this is all a guess really, let me pull out the credit card and see...

Point_Chaser

I think one of the most interesting things here is that they look at spending 3 consecutive years! This means that people won't become EBP after just a year with high spending, but must maintain it for 2 further years!
That show true loyalty, and not just a one time occurrence!

But looking at the high qualification levels, I really think that the benefits should be even more extraordinary! From what we have heard so far here on FT, and also what I know from a friend who was EBP way back, they are good, but nothing out of the ordinary..!

THD

I like many others put up with the food in M and I continue to buy SK tickets THAT is loyalty enough, thankyou I forgot about the 3 year thing, though.

Agreed with top tier bonuses, EBPs don't get much in comparison to say HONs in M&M.

jacob_m

That's a very good point, even HON Circle (which Lufthansa makes a really big deal about) in a way actually requires less in that sense.
The qualification period for HON is two years or when you have earned 400,000 points (well something like that).

So SAS requires passengers to spend 750,000 SEK over three years to reach EBP?! That's quite a lot they ask for!!
I really think with those requirements they should offer something more than they do. More personalised service, escort through security (very useful these days), perhaps a transfer team at ARN/CPH/OSL helping EBPs in case of short transfers/delays.
I really don't think the current benefits are that spectacular. Lounge access irrespective of carrier (incl non *A) and no blackout dates on awards is nice, but certainly nothing I would spend 750,000 SEK to get, no way!!
I personally choose other *A carriers these days if I have the option as I don't think SAS is anything special in any classes really.

Point_Chaser

And if you're spending 250 000 SEK / year on tickets, it doesn't feel like you will be in the position often that you don't already have lounge access on your travel, so the lounge benefit is kind of pointless...

I really like your other propositions with escort service etc.
They should make the service much much better for EBP's!

What do you EBP's feel about the benefits and the recognition? Are the un-official benefits much better? Is the treatment generally exceptional?
How is it with upgrades when (on the very rare occasion I guess) you travel economy? Regular upgrades?

Rambuster

LH HON is 600k HON status miles within 2 years (on LH,OS,LX, LOT and some regional partners).

tommy777

With HON, you actually have a mile number to work with..

When you have made HON, you get a 50% bonus making it a lot easier to re-qualify.

tommy777

I didn't go for it. I fly A LOT US domestic now and I only have some of my trips to Norway and some intra European on SAS these days. I love my UA 1K status and I also made PLAT on AA to get better options on US domestic.
Still kept my EBG, though

lnixon

Serfs with bamboo sticks clearing a path through the crowds at CPH would be nice.