Aegean makes elite status more difficult -OMaaT

[RooFlyer]

OMaaT has this story:

Aegean Miles+Bonus elite qualification changes 2023

Aegean isn’t changing elite requirements for those who fly a minimum number of segments per year on Aegean (two for Silver status, four for Gold status), but rather is greatly increasing elite requirements for those who only earn elite status through partners.

 

[Mattg]

Hmm, I have been thinking about switching my main Star Alliance program to Aegean (mainly for the easy *G status qualification).

As long as they don't touch the requirements for people who take the 4 Aegean/Olympic sectors per year, I think it's still worthwhile.

 

[SYD]

Hmm, I have been thinking about switching my main Star Alliance program to Aegean (mainly for the easy *G status qualification).

As long as they don't touch the requirements for people who take the 4 Aegean/Olympic sectors per year, I think it's still worthwhile.

A good excuse to visit the Greek Islands over summer every year!

 

[RooFlyer]

A good excuse to visit the Greek Islands over summer every year!

As part of work?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Hmm, I have been thinking about switching my main Star Alliance program to Aegean (mainly for the easy *G status qualification).

As long as they don't touch the requirements for people who take the 4 Aegean/Olympic sectors per year, I think it's still worthwhile.

I was tempted to make the move over to Aegean, but I took a moment to think about what I would get had I achieved *Gold status with them. From what I can tell the only benefits I could potentially use is the lounge access, extra baggage allowance and priority services across the alliance. Every other benefit like seating or upgrades would be tied to Aegean which I frankly would never fly given their geographic location and limited route network. Contrast this with United Airlines which admittedly is harder to get with the tying of $$$ spent to status, but which has benefits you are more likely to use regularly such as access to any Economy seat (including economy+ seats some of which boast 50+" pitch), 3x32 kg checked luggage on most international flights and 2x32kg for most domestic flights, an award program that actual rewards its members very well both on upgrade awards (i.e. 35,000 mile awards to upgrade from Y to J between Europe and Australia flying them) and saver awards (albeit they are harder to come by) and last (but certainly not least) the prospect of holding lifetime Gold status with the airline at 1,000,000 miles flown with them and I think it's a no brainer for me. Combine that with the fact that some credit cards like the HSBC card are now offering United Premier Gold status if you spend enough $$$ in a year and it seems like a no brainer. Even if you don't go the credit card route, I think for the benefits offered, it is worth spending the extra $$$ to get their status over Aegean.

-RooFlyer88