Are you ready to make every mile matter and reach your travel dreams faster? The Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) “1 Million Mile Challenge” is an exciting opportunity to maximize your travel with SAS and SkyTeam member airlines, turning trips across multiple destinations into a substantial mileage reward. With the right strategy, you could find yourself with 10,000, 100,000, or even 1 million SAS miles to use for flights, upgrades, and unforgettable experiences.
The SAS 1 Million Mile Challenge Campaign Period: 10/8/2024 ~ 12/31/2024
Fly with different SkyTeam partner airlines and unlock incredible SAS EuroBonus miles:
- Fly with 5 different SkyTeam partner airlines: earn 10,000 SAS EuroBonus miles.
- Fly with 10 different SkyTeam partner airlines: earn 100,000 SAS EuroBonus miles.
- Fly with 15 different SkyTeam partner airlines: earn up to 1 million SAS EuroBonus miles.
This post is to dive into the essentials and walk you though four important steps how to navigate this challenge like a pro.
Photo Credit: SAS
Step 1: Understanding The Challenge Requirements
Before you dive in, here’s what you need to know about the rules to make sure every flight counts:
Fly Only With Active SkyTeam Airlines:
For miles to count, flights must be operated by SkyTeam partners like Delta Air Lines, KLM, or Saudia. This gives you a wide choice of routes to plan around, but remember: only active SkyTeam airlines are eligible. (For example, flights with Aeroflot or Czech Airlines don’t count right now.)
SAS Eligible Tickets Only:
- If you’re flying with a cash ticket, it must be a fare eligible to earn SAS EuroBonus points, which you can confirm on SAS’s website.
- If you’re flying with an award ticket, it must be redeemed with SAS award miles.
Calculating Your Mileage:
- The miles you earn (10,000, 100,000, or 1 million) can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and perks, but they won’t count toward SAS elite status.
- When flying with multiple SkyTeam airlines on a single ticket, your miles are calculated per airline segment – so think of each segment as an opportunity to rack up miles!
Claiming Retroactive Miles:
If you want to claim miles after your trip, remember to submit your application by December 20, 2024. Results will be announced in January 2025, and each participant is limited to one entry.
Pro Tip: Always double-check your ticket fare class before booking to make sure it qualifies for this challenge! And read carefully the Terms and Condition for the eligibility.
Step 2: Understanding The SkyTeam Network’s Strength
If you’re aiming to earn 1 million SAS miles or more, knowing where SkyTeam’s network shines can make a huge difference in planning. SkyTeam’s strength is in Europe and the Far East, where the majority of its 20-member airlines operate. These regions offer a unique opportunity to accumulate miles more affordably and with less travel time than traditional long-haul flights.
For example, Europe region has seven SkyTeam partners (after Czech Airlines recently ceased operations), while the Far East region has six. This means you can cover more airline partners in a shorter distance, which is ideal for the challenge since your miles will stack up faster on these shorter, regional flights compared to intercontinental routes.
Current SkyTeam Partners by Region:
- North America: Aeroméxico (AM), Delta Air Lines (DL)
- South America: Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR)
- Europe / Middle East: Scandinavian Airlines (SK), Air Europa (UX), Air France (AF), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL), ITA Airways (AZ), TAROM (RO), Virgin Atlantic (VS), Saudia (SV), Middle East Airlines (ME)
- Asia Pacific: China Airlines (CI), China Eastern Airlines (MU), Garuda Indonesia (GA), Korean Air (KE), Vietnam Airlines (VN), Xiamen Air (MF)
- Africa: Kenya Airways (KQ)
To make the most of these insights, you’ll fly with these 15 SkyTeam partner airlines across the US, Europe and Asia. Here’s how the combination might look:
- North America to Europe: Start with two SkyTeam airlines in North America, like Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico.
- Within Europe: Take advantage of the seven European partners by flying short segments with SAS, Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic, among others.
- Asia Pacific: Complete your journey by flying with Asian SkyTeam airlines like China Eastern Airlines, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines.
This plan lets you collect mileage across multiple segments and qualify for the “1 Million Mile Challenge” at a lower overall cost.
Step 3: Maximize Your Miles With Regional Flights
Now, let’s look at the example routes that combine 15 SkyTeam airlines from different regions, helping you earn up to 1 million miles at a lower overall cost (less than $5,000) in flights and accommodations. By combining affordable regional flights, you can add significant miles without breaking the bank.
Start From North America To Europe (8 Airlines)
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Mexico City (MEX) on AeroMexico
- Mexico City (MEX) – New York (JFK) on Delta Air Lines
- New York (JFK) – London (LHR) on Virgin Atlantic
- London (LHR) – Amsterdam (AMS) on KLM
- Amsterdam (AMS) – Copenhagen (CPH) on SAS
- Copenhagen (CPH) – Paris (CDG) on Air France
- Paris (CDG) – Madrid (MAD) on Air Europa
- Madrid (MAD) – Cairo (CAI) via Bucharest (OTP) on TAROM
Photo Credit: Maria Fung
- Note 1: Segment 2 – Mexico City to New York, flying basic economy class (E class) does not earn miles.
- Note 2: The flights on Segment 1 and 2 will cover two North American SkyTeam members.
- Note 3: ITA Airways and Middle East Airlines currently do not have mileage accumulation rates on the SAS website, so we advise that it would be best to skip them for now.
With these 8 segments of flights by this point, you’ll have covered 8 SkyTeam airlines and earned miles across each segment.
Continue From Europe To Asia (7 Airlines)
- Cairo (CAI) – Jakarta (CGK) via Jeddah (JED) on Saudia
- Jakarta (CGK) – Hong Kong (HKG) on Garuda Indonesia
- Hong Kong (HKG) – Hanoi (HAN) on Vietnam Airlines
- Hanoi (HAN) – Xiamen (XMN) on Xiamen Air
- Xiamen (XMN) – Bangkok (BKK) via Kunming (KMG) on China Eastern Airlines
- Bangkok (BKK) – Guangzhou (CAN) on Kenya Airways
- Guangzhou (CAN) – Los Angeles (LAX) via Seoul (ICN) on Korean Air
- Note 1: Take advantage of Kenya Airways’ fifth freedom route of Bangkok (BKK) – Guangzhou (CAN) to easily collect another SkyTeam partner without going to Africa.
Step 4: Weighing The Benefits – Why This Challenge Can Be Worthwhile
If you’re excited about taking on the “SAS 1 Million Mile Challenge”, here’s some great news: it’s possible to complete it with a budget-friendly plan. With a bit of flexibility and savvy planning, you could make this mileage journey for under $4,000, and with more careful choices, even bring it down to around $3,000:
Here are how to decide:
Cost Efficiency:
- Consider a travel route that might typically cost around $3,600 for flights alone. Add another $1,400 to cover accommodations, transit, and other travel needs, and your estimated total reaches about $5,000. If you’re able to earn 1 million miles through this plan, you’re looking at 0.5 cents per mile – an excellent value for your money and a strong incentive to tackle this challenge.
Reward Potential:
- These miles can be used toward flights, upgrades, and special perks that make travel far more enjoyable, like business class seats and lounge access. Check in advance if you can spot award availability easily using SAS miles.
Time Investment:
- This challenge takes planning, as you’ll need at least a week and should consider visa requirements, layovers, and connection times. Since you’ll book each leg separately, some flexibility will be needed in case of delays.
Our Take For Success
Confirm mileage-earning eligibility:
Check the SAS website to confirm that your chosen flights qualify for SAS miles, as this varies by ticket type and fare class.
Focus on regional flights:
Choose regional flights in Europe and Asia because these often have lower fares than long-haul flights. You can rack up miles more efficiently without overspending.
Plan wisely for missed connections:
Booking separate tickets means you’ll need backup plans if any leg is delayed, especially in regions with tight connecting times.
Be strategic with your flights:
Certain legs, like the Kenya Airways segment in Asia, can be replaced by a more affordable flight with another SkyTeam member, like China Airlines.
Compare options:
Look up multiple routes, compare costs, and aim to incorporate as many eligible SkyTeam airlines as possible without straining your budget.
Calculate value:
Once you have a plan, break down the cost per mile to see if the investment aligns with your mileage goals and travel preferences.
Take advantage of fifth freedom routes:
This provides you a lot of unexpected short and inexpensive options. Example that Kenya Airways’ fifth freedom route between Bangkok (BKK) and Guangzhou (CAN) to easily collect another SkyTeam partner without flying to Africa.
Final Thoughts
The “SAS 1 Million Mile Challenge” is a gateway to truly exciting travel rewards and offers a hands-on way to learn about smart travel planning. By making thoughtful choices and taking advantage of SkyTeam’s extensive network, you can turn a well-planned trip into a mileage jackpot, unlocking premium travel experiences and exclusive perks. Start mapping out your route, grab your tickets, and set off on your journey to earn those miles and see the world!