Star Alliance counters SAS shift with 13-airline status match offer

Last week, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) announced its transition from Star Alliance to SkyTeam, with Air France KLM acquiring a stake. This move included an easy status match for customers, granting SkyTeam elite plus status without requiring proof of current status or residency.

In response, Star Alliance has launched a significant counter-offer involving 13 of its member airlines. This initiative aims to retain customers in Northern Europe who might be affected by SAS's departure and subsequent efforts to attract members to its new alliance.

Members with current SAS status can now select an alternative Star Alliance program instead of EuroBonus. Many Star Alliance programs are considered superior to the new EuroBonus, which has increased mileage requirements for flights on Air Europa, China Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines. However, loyalty to SAS was often based on geographic convenience and specific routes that may not be easily matched by other carriers.