First Big Mistake Of Trip? Air Europa Express Vs. Air Europa

I’m live-blogging my SAS EuroBonus SkyTeam Milion Mile challenge this week. Click here for background and route information.

Ok, it apears I goofed, though logicaly I cannot see how SAS can reasonably distinguish between Air Europa and Air Euoropa Express.

Air Europa Express –  Is It SkyTeam? Same As Air Europa?

My light from from Malga (AGP) to Madrid (MAD) was operated by Air Europa Express.

Unfortunately, SAS has sent mixed messages concerning whether Air Europa Express flights will credit. First, the promotion rules are vague…essentially stating that SAS has the right to make all final determinations about which flights count toward the promotion and which flights do not. Second, I’v heard that SAS has at least one EuroBonus Diamond that Air Europa Express lights will count while it has told others that they will not count.

My understanding is that Air Europa Express is part of Air Europa, period. The branding is identical, the SkyTeam logo appears on boarding passes (and so did my Sky Priority designation once my SAS Eurobonus Gold number was added), and the flight attendants onboard my flight referred to the flight simply as Air Europa.

I considered it like Delta Connection or Air France Hop! Yes, these flights are operated by different aircraft, but they are all part of the same carrier network, elite benefits are recognized, they are sold on the same website, and therefore flying Air Europa Express should be like flying Air Europa, right?

Of course, it’s not you I have to convince, just SAS.

But this does create a problem…I chose to avoid Bangkok and Kenya Airways on this trip. If it turns out that Air Europe Express does not count or “may” not count (because I cannot leave it to chance), I will need to go to Europe again…ugh…because I cannot leave to chance traveling to South America to fly on Aerolineas Argentinas when SAS had made clear that Aerolineas Argentinas are not properly crediting and likely won’t for the remainder of 2024.

And on that note, both my SAS lights were operated by SAS Connect. Is SAS going to tell me that SAS Connect is not really part of SAS?

Ugh, I’m mad at myself…this could have been avoided by flying on Vueling from Malaga to Barcelona, then taking an early flight from Barcelona to Madrid on Air Europa “mainline.” But in my defense, the OTA I purchased this itinerary from did not specify that it was operated by Air Europa Express…nor did the boarding pass.

Let’s see how this unfolds…