Video on YouTube
Planning Stage
In the evening of October 8, I received an email from SAS about the "Eurobonus Millionaire Challenge".
October 15: Yerevan to Sharjah for 1333 SEK, Air Arabia
October 16: Dubai to Jakarta via Jeddah for 42K SAS miles plus 1013 SEK, Saudia
October 17: Jakarta to Singapore for 1139 SEK, Garuda Airlines
The Taipei to London Heathrow with Delta and Virgin Atlantic in economy class was 54K SAS points (although I only had 36K so I had to buy the remaining points).
I decided to keep the Singapore to Cebu flights in business class which I had booked using SAS miles months ago since I am a fan of Hello Kitty and I knew that the Taipei to Cebu flight would be operated by a Hello Kitty jet. From Cebu to Copenhagen, I had earlier booked EVA Air, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways using miles and a revenue flight from Copenhagen to Stockholm with SAS. I had to cancel everything and got all my miles back. To get from Cebu to Stockholm, I ended up booking this instead on October 10:
October 19: Cebu to Bangkok via Shanghai for 2448 SEK, China Eastern
October 19: Bangkok to Hanoi for 1187 SEK, Vietnam Airlines
October 20: Hanoi to Shanghai via Xiamen for 3003 SEK, Xiamen Airlines
October 21: Shanghai to Taipei for 1774 SEK, China Airlines
October 21: Taipei to London via Seattle for 36K SAS pts plus 4454 SEK, Delta and Virgin Atlantic
October 22: London to Stockholm via Amsterdam for 1700 SEK, KLM
To The Max!!!
Although I had Skyteam Elite Plus thru SAS, there was no lounge I could access, not even the Skyteam Lounge in Dubai. I was told that if flying in economy class, only Saudia elite members are given access to the lounge in Dubai. The flight to Jeddah was operated by the new Airbus A321NX and departed from Gate D7.
I thought while in Hanoi, I could fly to Seoul and back with Korean Airlines, thus completing 10 Skyteam airlines for this trip. I ended up adding this on October 12:
October 19: Hanoi to Seoul for 1341 SEK, Vietjet (23:15-5:30)
October 20: Seoul to Hanoi for 1867 SEK, Korean Airlines (8:10-10:55)
I would later cancel the October 22 KLM flight from LHR-ARN due to IRROP (and got 709 SEK refund). I had to book a night at the Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow for 25K Hilton points, and book the flight below instead:
October 23: London to Stockholm for 1030.48 SEK, SAS
The total cost to fly 10 different Skyteam airlines from October 15-23 was $2030 and 78K SAS points (including the new SAS ticket I woud book from London to Stockholm due to the IRROP explained below).
Knowing my work schedule for the month of November, I saw that I would be free on November 7-8 and also on November 16-17. I decided to book flights with Tarom, KLM, Air France and Air Europa for my second trip (November 7-8) and for the last airline Kenya Airways, I decided to book an award redemption in business class for November 16 from Paris to Nairobi. The SAS website gave me this option: flight leaving in the evening of November 15 so I could take the 11am Kenya Airways flight to Nairobi. This meant I had to stay overnight and on this trip, it became a night in Amsterdam.
November 7: Stockholm to Paris then to Bucharest for 4644 SEK, Air France (13:05-15:10)
November 8: Bucharest to Madrid for 2881 SEK, Tarom (8:20-11:25)
November 8: Madrid to Amsterdam for 1781 SEK, Air Europa (15:00-17:35)
November 8: Amsterdam to Stockholm, KLM (20:55-22:55)
November 16: Paris to Nairobi for 63K SAS points plus 1832 SEK, Kenya Airways business class (11:00-21:05)
The total cost for this challenge was $4083, 102K SAS miles and 25K Hilton points. This includes the $476 I had to incur because of the mistake I made in the morning of November 7 (mistake is an understatement).
TRIP 1
Airline #1. Saudia (SV567 Dubai to Jeddah)
October 16, 2024
I loved the fact that they offered hot towels in economy (a thin one) and earphones. For lunch, they had chicken or mutton biryani or pizza. I chose the chicken biryani and it was very good. It looks like Saudia is really trying their best to be with the ranks of Qatar Airways and Emirates.
After a visit to the Al Fursan Lounge in Jeddah, it was time to continue flying. The flight from Jeddah to Jakarta operated by a B777 was full in economy class. I was able to secure a bulkhead seat which was nice. Food was very good, and the crew were also friendly.
The chicken on the Garuda Airlines Jakarta to Singapore flight was very good.
It was nice to be home in Cebu (at the Mactan Newtown) even for just a few hours.
Airline #2. Garuda Airlines (GA832 Jakarta to Singapore)
October 17, 2024
Landing in Jakarta Airport with my Garuda Indonesia mobile boarding pass, I went directly to the transfer desk although no one was there. A saw a staff nearby and asked if I could go direct to the lounge. After speaking with her colleague, he told me that it was okay to go straight to the lounge. Most of the reports on FT suggested one has to clear immigration first. I must have been lucky that day. The Garuda Airlines Business Class Lounge was nice and had good food offering. The flight was operated by a B777 and departed from gate A11. For lunch, they had either beef or chicken.
From Singapore to Cebu, I flew in business class with Thai Airways and EVA Airways (Hello Kitty jet from Taipei to Cebu).
Airline #3. China Eastern (MU5024 Cebu to Shanghai)
October 19, 2024
In Shanghai, I had 2 hours and 20 minutes before my connecting flight to Bangkok, where I was able to use the No. 137 China Eastern Lounge located in Terminal 1 Satellite 1.
Food on the China Eastern flight from Shanghai Pudong to Bangkok
For the short fllight to Hanoi, we got some a sandwich and sliced fruits from Vietnam Airlines.
For brunch, they had either bibimbap or chicken with oyster sause, I chose the latter which was very good. The flight was operated by A330 and as Skyteam Elite plus member, the purser came to my seat to welcome me which was a nice gesture 👍
For this 1 hour 45 minute flight to Xiamen, they had fried rice chicken or steamed rice with chicken. I chose the former which I thought was very good. In Xiamen Airport, I had to clear immigration and was able to make use of the free transit visa for Swedish passport holders. I had to fill up an immigration form for this and show my booking at the Hilton Hongqiao as well as my flight from Pudong Airport to Taipei the following day.
Xiamen Airlines Domestic First Class Lounge, Xiamen Airport
Xiamen Airlines Domestic First Class Lounge, Xiamen Airport
For the "official flight" from Xiamen to Shanghai Hongqiao, a bun filled with meat (I guess) was served which was actually very good. Again, waiting at my seat 42L was a blanket and pillow and a bottle of water (as a Skyteam Elite Plus). 👍
For this 2 hour flight to Taipei aboard the Boeing 777, I had chicken rice which was very good. The purser also came to my seat to welcome me onboard.
On the Delta flight from Taipei to Seattle, there was a choice of chicken, pork or pasta. I had the chicken which was very good.
Before landing, there was a choice between chicken noodles or Spanish omelette, and I chose the former.
After take off, we were served some snacks which included a ciabatta with mozarella and tomato, Lays potato chips and a chocolate bar.
Before landing, they had Mexican chicken with rice or pesto pasta. I had the former (as usual) 😉 I thought the crew were friendly just like the one on the Delta flight from Taipei to Seattle.
Airline #4. Vietnam Airlines (VN614 Bangkok to Hanoi)
October 19, 2024
Arriving in Bangkok Airport, I headed to the transfer desk and was told by the agent that the VN 618 flight was full and that I won't be able to take the flight and told me I would be rebooked to another flight. I started panicking and told her it was very important for me to take the flight as I have a flight from Hanoi departing 2 hours after landing in Hanoi. She told me that there was an earlier flight (VN614) departing at 4:15pm and offered it to me. I started to calm down when I heard that she was rebooking me to an earlier flight, although I had to make sure that the booking class would be the same which was class Q. Again using my SAS gold status, I was able to use the Air France Lounge before our boarding began at 3:25pm from gate E2.
We landed in Hanoi Airport after 6pm where I had enough time before my Vietjet flight (which departed at 11:15pm). The flight went well and I was able to sleep for a few hours. We landed in Seoul Incheon Airport at 5:30am.
Airline #5. Korean Air (KE441 Seoul to Hanoi)
October 20, 2024
From Terminal 1 where my Vietjet landed, I had to take the train to Terminal 2 where Korean Air was departing. Of course, I did not know that so I waited for an hour in the transfer desk in Terminal 1. Once in the right terminal's transfer desk, I got my boarding card and was then able to access the West Korean Air Prestige Lounge located near gate 249 on the 4th floor. The other lounge (east) near gate 253 is closer to my departure gate 258.
Airline #6. Xiamen Air (MF8517 Xiamen to Shanghai Hongqiao)
October 20, 2024
I had more than 4 hours in Hanoi Airport after my Korean Air flight landed. Once the check-in counters opened, I used the business class counter and was helped by a friendly agent. The lounge I was able to access to was familiar (NIA Business Class Lounge) as I had been here when I did the Cathay Pacific mistake fare from Vietnam to the US in 2019.
The first Xiamen flight from Hanoi to Xiamen was actually non-qualifying because of the booking class. Nevertheless, it was the flight I had the best recognition as a Skyteam elite plus. Already waiting at my seat was a pillow and a blanket, 2 kinds of newspapers (Fujian Daily and Xiamen Daily) and a bottle of water. All the other seats in economy did not have them. This flight was operated by a Boeing 737-800 and my seat 41A was just behind the business class cabin (an upgrade was offered during check-in for $150 which I did not take). Once seated, an FA came to greet me and told me about the newspapers and bottle of water which they had prepared for me.
I was also able to use the Xiamen Airlines Domestic First Class Lounge near gate 3 which was actually a very nice lounge 👍
I then had a wonderful sleep at the Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao including an impressive breakfast in the morning.
IRROP
After breakfast, I went back to the room and checked my emails. Surprise!!! I got an email from Delta informing me that my flight from Taipei to Seattle (later today) would now be departing at 8.45pm and arriving in Seattle at 4:34 pm which means I would miss my Virgin Atlantic flight to London Heathrow as it was scheduled to depart at 4:30pm.
From the hotel, I took the Didi taxi to Pudong Airport with a bit of anxiety as I would need to have a back up plan so I don´t miss my Virgin Atlantic flight, although there was not much I could do, not until I reach Taipei and talk with the check-in staff.
Airline #7 China Airlines (CI502 Shanghai to Taipei)
October 21, 2024
After getting my boarding pass from the check-in agent, I headed to security and immigration. I was also able to use the China Eastern Lounge 36.
After landing I went to passport control and then to the check-in desks but they were still closed. I decided to go to passport control again to go back inside so I could do my research while in the China Airlines Lounge.
While in the lounge, another email came from Delta informing me that they had rebooked me to DL20, the Delta flight leaving at 9:16pm from Seattle and arriving in London at 2:43pm the following day.
I knew that taking this Delta flight would make me miss the Virgin Atlantic flight which I badly needed to complete the Eurobonus challenge. Just before boarding, I searched the Delta app for award flights from Seattle to LHR. I was able to find a Delta flight from Seattle to JFK later in the evening, and then a Virgin Atlantic flight to LHR which would be perfect for me. I told myself, I would ask the transfer desk in Seattle to rebook me to these exact flights. The gate agent in Taipei whom I asked about the rebooking confirmed that they can not do anything in Taipei as it is a small station and it would be best to do it in Seattle.
Airline #8 Delta Airlines (DL68 Taipei to Seattle)
October 21, 2024
As expected, the flight departed 3 hours later from Taipei. It was operated by an Airbus A330-900, where my seat was at 51G.
Upon landing in Seattle Airport, I went directly to the transfer desk located close to the Delta Sky Club. I told the agent that I would need to take the Virgin Atlantic flight to London as the Delta flight they had rebooked me would not be suitable for me. He worked with his computer and moments later, gave me a boarding pass - Seattle to LHR with Delta Airlines, the exact one I asked him to change. I then had to explain about the Eurobonus challenge that I was doing and begged him to kindly rebook me to the Delta flight from Seattle to JFK and then the Virgin Atlantic flight to LHR. It took about 10 minutes or so as he waited for a colleague for the reissue.
Finally, I got my new boarding pass with the flights I needed to take and could relax in the Delta Sky Club before my flight 👍
The Delta flight from Seattle to JFK was operated by an Airbus A321N where we got some snacks for free. By the time we landed in JFK, my Virgin Atlantic flight to LHR was about to board. To make things even more complicated, the departure gate was on the other side which meant I had to run like Bolt 😉 It also meant I was not able to visit the Delta Sky Club.
Airline #9 Virgin Atlantic (VS26 New York to London)
October 22, 2024
This flight was operated by an Airbus A350-1000 which had a modern design in my opinion. The blanket was also cute. My seat was originally 59C but moved to 61C so a lady could sit together with her boyfriend.
*Delta had rebooked me apparently on a revenue class on this Virgin Atlantic flight as I got points credited to my SAS account on the 29th of October.
Landing in the evening of October 22 meant the KLM afternoon flight I booked a week ago was gone. I had booked the Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow for 25K Hilton points and then booked the SAS flight LHR-ARN for my flight the following day. Luckily, I got some refund from KLM although I had to shoulder the hotel expense.
Airline #10. SAS (SK526 London Heathrow to Stockholm)
October 23, 2024
Although now a member of Skyteam Alliance, SAS chose to stay at the Queens Terminal which is exclusive for Star Alliance member airlines. I was able to use the Plaza Premium Lounge although it was not easy to find as the signage was quite confusing.
Trip 2
Airline #11. Air France (AF1263 Stockholm to Paris)
On the Air France flight to Paris, a cheese sandwich and a biscuit was served. Wifi was free for messaging purposes. The flight was operated by an Airbus A220-300 which I have not seen before. It has a 2-3 configuration although the overhead cabins seem to be lower than usual. In Paris, I was able to use the Air France Lounge in 2F before flying to Bucharest where I spent a night a the Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Airport.
I have never flown with Tarom so it was interesting to see what they offer. At the airport, I was able to visit the DACIA Lounge which was located next to our boarding gate.
My Tarom flight arrived on time in Madrid. I cleared customs and then went to the check-in desks for Skyteam elite plus members. Moments later, I had my boarding pass to Amsterdam and to Stockholm.
The Air Europa flight was operated by a Boeing 737-800.
Our flight from Madrid to Amsterdam arrived on time. I headed to the KLM 25 Crown Lounge and had dinner there where they had paella, meatballs, etc. The flight to Stockholm departed late but were were able to make up for it and still arrived on time.
This 10-year old B787 will fly us to Nairobi today.
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Sadly, the seats are outdated and the service although friendly was still lacking something.
As this was my 15th airline for the EuroBonus millionaire challenge, I had to celebrate and had a glass of champagne, even if I don´t drink alcohol.
November 7, 2024
Air France was not supposed to be my 11th airline as I had already booked a positioning flight with Finnair from Stockholm to Budapest, where I would fly Tarom to Bucharest.
The Most Embarrassing Thing Happened
I took Uber to Arlanda Airport at 3:55am for my 6:20am flight to Helsinki. I arrived at the airport at 4:40am and after clearing security, went to the Pearl Lounge. I don´t know what happened but I was convinced that 6:20am was the boarding time. Maybe because the SAS mobile boarding pass I used 3 days ago flying to Vilnius showed the boarding time (and not the departure time) and it stuck in my mind. I left the lounge around 6:10am and when I reached the gate, it was already closed. I then realized that the departure time was at 6:20am. There was not much I could do. I sat down and hurriedly looked for my options. I had a connecting flight from Bucharest to Paris with KLM and Air France, an airport hotel in Paris CDG and an Iberia (positioning) flight to Madrid the following day so I could take the Air Europa flight. Long story short, I had to cancel everything and book a new flight. There was an afternoon flight to Bucharest with Air France from Stockholm so I booked it for 4644SEK (about $423) and a Tarom flight from Bucharest to Madrid the following day (booked for $257.50). After cancelling and asking for a refund from all the flights I missed, I got a refund of about 2247SEK (about $204) so it was still about $476 which I spent for the biggest blunder of my life!
Airline #12. Tarom Airlines (RO415 Bucharest to Madrid)
November 8, 2024
Just like SAS, they offer buy on board, although no free coffee or tea. I asked an FA if they had a cup with a logo and was brought a cup of water and 3 extra cups. Thank you so much 🙏 The cabin was all economy class if I am not mistaken.
Airline #13. Air Europa (UX1093 Madrid to Amsterdam)
November 8, 2024
I also was able to use both the Puerta de Alcala and the Puerta del Sol lounges although I later learned that I could only use one, not both. Also, when going to Puerta del Sol, I followed the "exit and lounge" sign thinking they would separate somewhere. Sadly, the lounge they were referring to was the Arrivals Lounge so I ended up being in the land side again. I was not the only one who made that mistake though as the staff told me there were 2 other guys who followed the exit/lounge sign earlier that day.
Airline #14. KLM (KL1227 Amsterdam to Stockholm)
November 8, 2024
Vegetarian sandwich on the KLM flight from Amsterdam to Stockholm
Trip 3
Airline #15. Kenya Airways (KQ113 Paris to Nairobi)
November 16, 2024
I started this final trip on the evening of November 15 flying SAS from Stockholm to Copenhagen and KLM from Copenhagen to Amsterdam, both flights in business class. I stayed at the ibis Styles Amsterdam Airport as my flight with KLM to Paris departed at 6:50am and landed in CDG at 8:10am.
Landing in CDG Terminal 2, I headed to the Air France Lounge located in 2E-L. This is their flagship lounge and is known for the gorgeous "The Balcony" and for having a sauna. I left the lounge more than an hour since my Kenya Airways flight was departing from Hall K which meant I needed to take a train to get there.
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In Nairobi, I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Nairobi Airport where I had a great stay.
I've never been to Kenya before so I pre-booked a safari tour at the Nairobi National Park the following day which was perfect as it was just a 10-minute car ride from the hotel. This trip meant that Kenya is officially my 89th country 😊
To get back to Europe, I flew Qatar Airways economy class from Nairobi to Doha and then business class from Doha to Copenhagen. I then flew with Norwegian to Stockholm.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I started this challenge thinking it would be fun and exciting to fly on 15 Skyteam airlines and then get rewarded 1M EuroBonus points. I spent a lot (around $4000) on this challenge so every airline I flew (and got credited) towards the 15 I needed felt like a big accomplishment. I visited 11 airport lounges for the first time, flew on 8 airlines I´ve never flown before, missed my flight because I was sitting in the lounge waiting for "boarding", and had a wonderful safari tour in Kenya, my 89th country. I think SAS did not think much of how this challenge would affect people's lives, but for me, it has been an adventure of a lifetime. Tack så mycket SAS, and I hope I get the 1M EuroBonus points, haha!
Great job! Have the points posted?
ReplyDeleteThanks! No, I think the points will be posted in January as it will also be when they will announce the winners.
DeleteGreat!! I enjoyed your YouTube. I finished 15 airlines 13 Dec. Did you get point Air Europa? Any problem? It passed 8days I took Air Europa However I still waiting point.
ReplyDeleteThanks and congrats! I did not automatically get the points from Air Europa. I think you should email them: ebretro@sas.se
DeleteThank you very much for your advice! I will send email.
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