SAS Scandinavian Airlines, a founding member of Star Alliance, exited the alliance on 31 August 2024 to join SkyTeam. As a result, Star Golds no longer receive any elite benefits on SAS flights such as lounge access or extra baggage.
However, Singapore Airlines has carved out a special arrangement with SAS to continue extending certain benefits to its Solitaire PPS Club, PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members. This means that members can enjoy many of the same perks they received back when SAS was part of Star Allianceโ with some exceptions.
SAS benefits for PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Golds
From 1 April 2025, Solitaire PPS Club, PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members will enjoy the following benefits when travelling on eligible SAS-operated flights:
- Access to SAS-operated lounges
- Priority check-in
- Priority baggage handling
- Additional baggage allowance
- Extra 32kg when travelling in Business Class (long-haul)
- Extra 23kg when travelling in Business Class (within Europe)
- Extra 23kg when travelling in Economy Class
These are largely similar to the privileges they enjoyed back when SAS was part of Star Alliance, with two main exceptions.
First, priority boarding is no longer offered. Singapore Airlines elite members will board according to the cabin theyโre flying on SAS.
Second, the lounge entitlement that Singapore Airlines elite members receive is for the SAS Lounge, rather than the SAS Gold Lounge they were previously entitled to.
| SAS Gold Lounge | SAS Lounge |
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The SAS Gold Lounge is generally considered to be the better of the two (think of it like the Lufthansa Senator Lounge vs the Lufthansa Business Lounge), with additional food and beverage options and amenities. You can refer to this article for more on the differences.
Another important thing to note is that lounge access is only provided if there is an SAS Lounge at the airport. When SAS was part of Star Alliance, Singapore Airlines elite members would enjoy lounge access every time they flew, regardless of airport.
SAS Lounges can be found at the following airports:
- Stockholm (ARN)
- Copenhagen (CPH)
- Newark (EWR)
- Gothenburg (GOT)
- Chicago (ORD)
- Oslo (OSL)
Finally, itโs not clear at the moment whether the additional baggage allowance will also apply to Go Light fares, SASโs equivalent of basic economy. Star Golds did not receive extra baggage on these fares however, so I wouldnโt get my hopes up.
Other PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold benefits
Solitaire PPS Club, PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members also enjoy other benefits when flying on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, or other Star Alliance partners.
For a full rundown of PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold benefits, refer to the articles below.
Conclusion
While SAS Scandinavian Airlines may have left Star Alliance, Singapore Airlines elite members can continue to enjoy benefits when flying with the carrier, including lounge access and priority baggage handling.
However, they will no longer receive priority boarding, and the lounge they get access to will be the SAS Lounge, instead of the SAS Gold Lounge.
Itโs a bit of a niche benefit, but could definitely make your upcoming trip more comfortable.
(HT: @jiajian)
Do SAS Eurobonus Gold holders also receive same benefits when flying SQ?
Do KrisFlyer members receive status miles when crediting to SAS?
yes, refer here: https://www.singaporeair.com/saar5/pdf/ppsclub_krisflyer/charts/KFOALLevels.pdf
Do you think / know if KF members will still be able to redeem miles on SAS flights in the future? At least when there is a connection involved where SQ is the main carrier?
nothing has been announced at the moment, so i wouldnโt hold my breath.
Interesting, I flew SAS (Go Smart) from CPH to BRU in November 2024 and did still get SAS Lounge access added automatically to my booking as a KFEG, but no additional baggage or priority handling iirc.