Aegean airlines is introducing a new frequent flyer scheme.

Aegean airlines is introducing a new frequent flyer scheme. Can someone please explain?

What have you heard?

Check Ben Schlappig's (a.k.a lucky) blog:

http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2014/09/24/aegean-lifetime-star-alliance-gold-ending/

I received the email from them. Information is quite scant. What I gathered is that there is now a new tier, Silver.

So it's Blue, Silver and Gold. It doesn't say what the corresponding Star Alliance grades are (Previously Blue = Silver and Gold = Gold)

It also suggest two ways of earning Silver;

• 8,000 tier miles with at least two flights with Aegean or Olympic Airways, or
• 16,000 tier miles in total.

It does not indicate what the new criteria for Gold is, if there is a new criteria (let's hope it doesn't involve a requirement of sectors flown on Aegean or Olympics!).

I wish companies would cut the PR bullshit and give it to us straight. It's annoying having to look for the fine print and to read between the lines.

Bad news for Gold, Babushka! To qualify gotta do 48000 miles & 4 Aegean or Olympic flights in 12 months. To retain, 12000 miles & 4 Aegean or Olympic flights, or 24000 miles on any Star Aliance members. For those not already Gold, may as well not even try to reach it.  Had to change I guess; the window is closing fast!

Criteria for gold is 24K if you fly at least for Aegean or Olympic segments or 48K if you fly partners only. Re qualification for gold is 12K including flights on Aegean metal or 24K flying partners only.

Please explain your source

See my first post, Ben Schlappig is source.

Thanks KG. Any word on the life-span of Gold? i.e what is the time period required to earn 24K to re-qualify for Gold?

Previously it was 36 months? (or at least it was unclear in the T&C).

Thank you!

So I've checked Ben's post. 24k is required in 12 months to requalify. That's not even a return AU/SIN/LHR on SQ in Y.

And I already dread flying Star Alliance carrier (shite lounges!)...as a back up, it may not be worthwhile...might have to let go of Aegean Gold...

I reckon it's better value now to purchase a United Club membership...thoughts anyone?

From the email I got, it sounded like they are augmenting their tier to have the usual Silver sitting between the entry level Blue and their top tier Gold.

http://www.newmilesandbonus.com/en

And the text of the email:

Welcome to the new Miles+Bonus

    Dear member,
We are happy to inform you that the new Miles+Bonus; the common loyalty program of Aegean and Olympic Air; is coming on the 24th of November to reward your trust, with even more benefits, additional services and new partnerships.
In the new Miles+Bonus, the common reward program of Aegean and Olympic Air:

• We have designed an even fairer way of accruing and redeeming miles, since the final amount of miles corresponding to each flight will be the result of both the fare category and the actual miles flown (for international flights).
• We offer more redemption options (based in the GoLight/Flex pricing policy) so that you can select your award ticket using less or more miles, according to your travel needs.
• We introduce new services, as per your request:
  • “Together” program that allows up to 6 people to collect miles into a common account.
  • “Happy Miles” service that allows you to redeem less miles in pre-selected flights. 
• We launch a new “Silver” tier to offer significant benefits to its members, while all at once we enrich the benefits of the current tiers. At the same time, we are changing the way to upgrade and retain tier.
• We keep expanding our partner network to give you plenty of choices, as well as multiple ways to earn and spend miles, get exclusive discounts and enjoy privileges simply by displaying your Miles+Bonus card.

Kindly note that the new Silver Tier will be granted to the Blue members that have accrued more than 8,000 Tier Miles (including at least 2 flights with Aegean or Olympic Air) or 16,000 Tier Miles in total, within the past 12 months from the new Miles+Bonus launch date. Current Gold members will be automatically transferred to the Gold Tier, regardless of their past flight activity.

Find out everything about the new Miles+Bonus  here.
Best regards, Miles&Bonus   Aegean Airlines

Yeah, well, the old scheme was too good to last. With tens of thousands of people getting lounge access based on Aegean status, and never stepping on an Aegean aircraft, it was a pointless money hole.

And although the state of the Greek economy might lead one to believe that they don't mind the occasional pointless money hole, surely they must have limits.

48,000 miles to earn Gold now, unless you're actually flying Aegean. That puts it roughly on a par with most of the other programs. Sic transit gloria mundi. 

So what's the nexr best option to get a GOLD status frequent flyer card??