EuroBonus

EuroBonus is the frequent flyer program of 5 European airlines. It was launched by Scandinavian Airlines System (SK) in 1992.

Airline partners

EuroBonus airlines

* airBaltic
* Blue1
* Estonian Air
* Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS)
* Widerøe

Star Alliance partner airlines

* Adria Airways (Regional partner)
* Air Canada
* Air China
* Air New Zealand
* All Nippon Airways (ANA)
* Asiana Airlines
* Austrian Airlines
* Bmi
* Croatia Airlines (Regional partner)
* EgyptAir
* LOT Polish Airlines
* Lufthansa
* Shanghai Airlines
* Singapore Airlines
* South African Airways
* Spanair
* Swiss International Air Lines
* TAP Portugal
* Thai Airways International
* Turkish Airlines
* United
* US Airways

Other airline partners

* Air Greenland
* Air One
* Atlantic Airways
* Cimber Air
* City Airline
* Qantas
* Skyways

Hotel partners

* Best Western Hotels
* Country Inn & Suites
* Hilton family of hotels
* Park Inn
* Radisson Edwardian Hotels
* Radisson Hotels & Resorts
* Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts
* Regent Hotels (selected hotels)
* Scandic Hotels
* Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
* Sol Mélia Hotels & Resorts

Other partners

* The Economist
* Diners Club
* MasterCard

Norwegian ban on frequent flyer miles

In 2002, SAS bought up the rival airline Braathens, giving the company a near monopoly on major domestic routes within Norway. After a few months, the airline Norwegian Air Shuttle started flying major routes in competition. To remove the edge SAS had over the new airline, the Norwegian Competition Authority then banned the award of EuroBonus points in Norway from August 1 that year.

In 2005, Morten A. Meyer, the Modernization Minister asked the competition authority to consider extending the ban on frequent flyer miles to include all of Scandinavia. Norwegian Air Shuttle and Sterling Airlines had also complained about SAS's bonus program in Scandinavia. It was pointed out that the situation on these routes was different from the monopoly which had been present on the Norwegian domestic market. [ [http://www.dn.no/forsiden/naringsliv/article480937.ece Vurderer bonusforbud i Skandinavia] ("Considering bonus ban in Scandinavia") Dagens Næringsliv, April 9, 2005] [ [http://www.dn.no/forsiden/naringsliv/article481916.ece Pålagt å granske SAS-bonus] ("Ordered to investigate SAS bonus") Dagens Næringsliv, April 11, 2005]

The authorities indicated in 2007 that the ban against frequent flyer points would continue, arguing that the ban on EuroBonus had reduced the ticket prices by 30% and boosted competition. SAS Norge, the Norwegian affiliate of SAS protested, arguing that the extent of the fare reduction was exaggerated (claiming 18.4% rather than 30%), and were due to more efficient spending, not the ban on EuroBonus. [ [http://www.dn.no/privatokonomi/article1099558.ece?jgo=r2_l&WT.svl=nederstprivok Vil forlenge Eurobonus-forbud] ("Will extend the EuroBonus ban") Dagens Næringsliv, May 23, 2007]

Freddie Awards

EuroBonus won the Freddie Awards, the largest award in the travel industry, for best frequent flyer program numerous times. They won the six years prior to 2003, and again in 2004. In 2005 they wound up in a disappointing 13th place. The ban on domestic point awards in Norway, which reduced the value of the program, was part of the reason for EuroBonus's decline in the rankings. [ [http://www.dn.no/forsiden/naringsliv/article498718.ece SAS slaktes i prisutdeling] ("SAS slaughtered in prize awards") Dagens Næringsliv, April 29, 2005]

EurBonus received the acclaimed Industry Impact Award at the Freddy Award Ceremony held in Phoenix, Arizona on April 24 - 2008. What in fact was awarded was the Award Seat Prognosis - transparently displaying any available award seats online for the members setting a new standard for Frequent Flyer Programs can display award availability for their members.

ee also

*SAS Group
*Star Alliance

References

External links

* [http://www.flysas.com/en/EuroBonus/ EuroBonus Home Page]