How I Earned 1 Million SAS EuroBonus Points A 21-Day SkyTeam Alliance Journey Across 6 Continents

How I Earned 1 Million SAS EuroBonus Points A 21-Day SkyTeam Alliance Journey Across 6 Continents - Trans-Pacific Journey LAX to Sydney on Korean Air With 29 Hour Layover in Seoul

The Trans-Pacific journey from Los Angeles to Sydney, routed through Seoul with a 29-hour layover, presents a chance to explore South Korea during a long trip. Korean Air, with its many flights between Los Angeles and Seoul, makes this experience quite easy to achieve, especially for those aiming to accumulate SAS EuroBonus points. This long stopover provides a chance to experience Seoul’s culture and food, turning a standard long flight into a multiple-destination adventure. Navigating Incheon Airport is typically straightforward, but it's important to be aware of potential delays and any necessary visa rules if leaving the airport is part of the plan. This journey not only breaks up the trip to Sydney but can also reward those seeking to optimize their travel benefits.

The Los Angeles to Sydney route on Korean Air, while a lengthy journey in itself, is made more tolerable by a mandatory 29-hour stop in Seoul. It offers a decent way to mitigate travel weariness by breaking up the trip, unlike a straight through direct flight. Seoul's Incheon airport is not just another transit point; its reputation as one of the top airports globally is well-earned. Its infrastructure provides amenities like free showers and sleeping areas. Furthermore, it integrates cultural events right inside, potentially turning a prolonged layover into a pleasant pause rather than a burden.

For those not just seeking the cheapest option, the Premium Economy on Korean Air is worth considering with greater legroom than you might find elsewhere. These comforts can prove extremely helpful on longer flights and often go overlooked by price sensitive travelers. Each leg of your journey can add to the potential rewards; a layover in Seoul isn't just downtime, it's a chance to earn more points in your frequent flyer program. The ability to leverage additional travel segments during the stopover further improves points accumulation, enhancing future travel possibilities. The food quality provided on board by Korean Air is also a factor to consider. This is another area where airlines strive to distinguish themselves, and it’s something that may add to the travel experience.

Korean Air’s SkyPass program offers more than just miles; it can lead to tangible benefits such as flight upgrades or lounge access, important during long layovers. The city of Seoul itself also offers easy access, it is easy to explore due to its effective public transportation system for travelers to see the major sites. And if the logistics were not enough, visa policies for short-term visits to South Korea have relaxed and streamlined to a considerable extent allowing passengers a city exploration without heavy red tape. Airlines, including Korean Air, provide free city tours for those on stopovers, giving a brief insight into the city without added costs for the traveller. Beyond Sydney, the connectivity offered by Korean Air to numerous destinations across Asia allows those wanting more, to extend their trip into several regions, giving a far more robust travel experience beyond just reaching the primary destination.

What else is in this post?

1. How I Earned 1 Million SAS EuroBonus Points A 21-Day SkyTeam Alliance Journey Across 6 Continents - Trans-Pacific Journey LAX to Sydney on Korean Air With 29 Hour Layover in Seoul
2. How I Earned 1 Million SAS EuroBonus Points A 21-Day SkyTeam Alliance Journey Across 6 Continents - African Adventure From Cairo to Johannesburg via Kenya Airways Business Class
3. How I Earned 1 Million SAS EuroBonus Points A 21-Day SkyTeam Alliance Journey Across 6 Continents - South American Circuit Through Santiago and Buenos Aires on Delta and Aerolineas Argentinas
4. How I Earned 1 Million SAS EuroBonus Points A 21-Day SkyTeam Alliance Journey Across 6 Continents - European Leg Using Air France and KLM Connecting Paris Amsterdam and Rome
5. How I Earned 1 Million SAS EuroBonus Points A 21-Day SkyTeam Alliance Journey Across 6 Continents - Middle East Coverage Through Dubai and Tel Aviv on Middle East Airlines
6. How I Earned 1 Million SAS EuroBonus Points A 21-Day SkyTeam Alliance Journey Across 6 Continents - Round The World Finish Through Tokyo and Shanghai on China Eastern and Vietnam Airlines

How I Earned 1 Million SAS EuroBonus Points A 21-Day SkyTeam Alliance Journey Across 6 Continents - African Adventure From Cairo to Johannesburg via Kenya Airways Business Class

The African adventure from Cairo to Johannesburg via Kenya Airways Business Class presents a solid option for seeing the continent in comfort. Dubbed "The Pride of Africa," Kenya Airways uses its Nairobi hub to connect numerous locations, making travel simpler. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner offers a fairly good flight, with well designed seating and friendly service that should satisfy most. The SAS EuroBonus program gives the opportunity to accumulate a lot of points when flying with SkyTeam partners. With lounges in Nairobi and gourmet meals available, the trip provides both comfort and adventure, but is it truly a luxury experience?

The Cairo to Johannesburg leg, flown with Kenya Airways in Business Class, is more than just a transfer point; it's an experience indicative of modern African air travel. Kenya Airways, established in 1977, not only initiated the jet age in East Africa, but continues to facilitate the movement of people and goods through its hub in Nairobi. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, frequently used on these long hauls, with its design improvements, makes the trip noticeably quieter.

Kenya Airways has introduced some interesting takes on in-flight cuisine, incorporating regional dishes designed by African chefs, demonstrating how airlines are now looking beyond the conventional to add value to their product. They also have the Flying Blue program, which like other such frequent flyer programs allows for collection of points not just on flights, but for other ancillary travel related spend. This program makes acquiring travel rewards more attainable and diverse.

Direct connections such as Cairo-Johannesburg form a vital commercial and travel route. They tie together significant economic centres, encouraging business and enabling smoother trade, which goes beyond just casual travel. Before embarking on this leg of the journey, in Cairo are iconic destinations such as the Pyramids of Giza, a demonstration of ancient engineering. In the other direction Johannesburg, a major economic player in South Africa, presents its own historical context, shaped by its boom from gold discoveries in the 19th century.

Additionally, the ability to stop in Nairobi provides passengers with an opportunity to see Kenya’s unique environment. It transforms a simple connection into an integrated travel experience. Lounges like the KQ Lounge in Nairobi provide pre flight amenities that improve the overall experience of these international flights with conveniences. Kenya Airways continues to expand its network in 2025, connecting more places across Africa and to other continents, demonstrating a wider trend of African carriers building their international presence.

How I Earned 1 Million SAS EuroBonus Points A 21-Day SkyTeam Alliance Journey Across 6 Continents - South American Circuit Through Santiago and Buenos Aires on Delta and Aerolineas Argentinas

The South American circuit through Santiago and Buenos Aires presents a mix of vibrant city life and natural wonders, with Delta and Aerolineas Argentinas as key players. Delta, while part of the SkyTeam alliance, doesn't offer a direct link between Santiago and Buenos Aires, pushing travelers towards Aerolineas Argentinas for this specific hop. This opens up opportunities to explore Argentina's rich landscape, including the impressive Upsala Glacier at Lago Argentino, through Aerolineas' broader network. However, it's worth noting that some might find Aerolineas Argentinas' business class seats less than ideal. A careful strategy involving airline alliances and how you gather travel points can be quite helpful for those trying to enhance their South American journey.

The South American sector, specifically flights between Santiago and Buenos Aires, relies heavily on Delta and Aerolineas Argentinas, both part of the SkyTeam Alliance. Delta's schedule offers travelers numerous options connecting these cities though Aerolineas Argentinas also provides its own direct links. The SkyTeam alliance network allows for easy travel in the region and beyond.

Accumulating a million SAS EuroBonus points requires travel strategy, especially by exploiting alliances. Flights booked through airlines like Delta and Aerolineas Argentinas can yield good point rewards for savvy travelers. A multi-continent, 21-day trip can further enhance point accumulation, especially with premium cabin upgrades and long haul flights, something that can be optimized if you know the ins and outs of airline alliances and point systems.

Flight prices between Santiago and Buenos Aires shift a lot based on demand, with mid-week flights tending to be cheaper, this is all algorithmic price management. In 2025, Aerolineas Argentinas added new routes from Buenos Aires to other South American cities, making travel on the continent easier. Delta’s SkyMiles allows points to be earned on Aerolineas Argentinas flights, especially beneficial for premium travel since you get a higher points accumulation. Food experiences in-flight have been refined, with Delta offering menus developed by well known chefs and Aerolineas Argentinas serving traditional Argentine food.

Santiago Airport is designed with advanced passenger screening technologies such as automatic border control. Buenos Aires provides ample opportunities to experience tango, offering a good cultural exploration for travelers. Furthermore, the partnerships that exist between Delta and Aerolineas Argentinas facilitate not just earning, but using points across their networks. You should be aware that baggage policies are variable, depending on the airline chosen. New seasonal routes are appearing from both airlines targeting regions like Patagonia. AI algorithms are being used to tailor travel options for travelers by both airlines.

How I Earned 1 Million SAS EuroBonus Points A 21-Day SkyTeam Alliance Journey Across 6 Continents - European Leg Using Air France and KLM Connecting Paris Amsterdam and Rome

The European leg of my journey focused on using Air France and KLM to travel between Paris, Amsterdam, and Rome, taking advantage of new codesharing deals that involve SAS. With a large number of flights every week between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol offered by Air France and KLM, moving between these key European airports is convenient, especially when you're trying to build up EuroBonus points. SAS joining the SkyTeam alliance in September 2024 has made this even better with added perks such as SkyPriority and lounge access for those who qualify. This makes planning a trip with point accumulation in mind quite a good approach as you can now more efficiently visit some of Europe’s most well-known cities.

This leg of the journey involved using the SkyTeam alliance to get around Europe. Air France and KLM offer numerous flights, facilitating quick hops between major hubs like Paris, Amsterdam and Rome. It’s noteworthy that the average flight time between Paris and Amsterdam is around 75 minutes, often a more efficient way to travel than trains or driving, especially after accounting for airport procedures. Prices, of course, fluctuate based on demand, with mid-week flights often proving to be more affordable, reflecting yet another instance of algorithmic price setting in the travel industry.

Both Air France and KLM allow the accumulation of EuroBonus points, not only through flights, but also their associated networks including hotels and car rental services. A layover in Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport can be surprisingly useful; the airport's easy 20-minute rail link to the city center allows travelers to sample the local culture during longer connections, transforming an otherwise tedious wait into a chance to see something new. Both Air France and KLM are members of the SkyTeam alliance, increasing travel flexibility by offering more destinations and integrated flight schedules. This sort of interconnectivity is beneficial.

KLM has gained attention for their creative in-flight dining options, having joined forces with established chefs to bring Dutch cuisine into the sky, altering menus seasonally to use the freshest produce and keeping in step with current culinary trends, quite a departure from the standard fare seen on flights decades ago. However, each airline has specific luggage rules, depending on cabin class which impact planning. KLM, for instance, gives greater baggage limits for business class travellers than those in economy.

Air France has implemented dual-lane boarding to quicken up the process, cutting waiting time. This system addresses one of the more annoying parts of flying which is the bottleneck of loading a plane. The route between Paris and Rome has historical weight, for centuries being an important artery that facilitates cultural and economic exchange, linking these iconic cities. For a more seamless experience, the SkyPriority services offered by both airlines give faster check-in, security and boarding. These conveniences can prove very beneficial especially in crowded airports such as Charles de Gaulle and Schiphol.

How I Earned 1 Million SAS EuroBonus Points A 21-Day SkyTeam Alliance Journey Across 6 Continents - Middle East Coverage Through Dubai and Tel Aviv on Middle East Airlines

The Middle East's aviation sector is evolving, with Dubai and Tel Aviv becoming important connection points. Currently, nine airlines operate direct flights linking these cities, including Emirates. This increased connectivity has made travel across the region more accessible. Despite ongoing regional challenges, Middle East Airlines continues to provide consistent services, proving its reliability. The 2020 agreement establishing ties between Israel and the UAE has further fueled this growth, creating a hub for travel and economic interaction. For those focusing on points accumulation, this area of the world could also offer useful ways to gain valuable rewards if planned well.

The airline routes crisscrossing the Middle East, with Dubai and Tel Aviv as key hubs, are proving to be increasingly relevant for travel throughout the region. Middle East Airlines and their network connections can provide options for reaching different locations, which may be useful for those seeking to see this part of the world. Dubai and Tel Aviv have become central connection points as they provide a place to transfer and travel on to other destinations.

The expansion of flight paths linking Dubai and Tel Aviv show a growing integration of travel within the region. However, this increased connectivity comes amid continuing tensions in the area. Despite such issues, some Middle Eastern carriers maintain their flight schedules to Israel, even though numerous other global airlines have cancelled routes to the area. The recent reported profits for some carriers in the region illustrate that despite a complex environment, there is significant economic activity underway. Some major carriers such as El Al have seen share value appreciation despite the geopolitical situation, showing a complicated landscape.

Increased flight connections between Israel and the UAE have followed a landmark agreement in 2020. However, the aviation scene in the Middle East does face disruptions. Recent events with regional tensions have, at times, diverted many flights. It has been shown that several airlines are not fully operational due to escalating tensions. Airlines like KLM and Transavia have completely cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv due to these issues. In contrast, Emirates has started a service between Dubai and Tel Aviv. These shifts demonstrate that there is constant change occurring, which significantly impacts air travel within the Middle East.

Travel connections between Dubai and Tel Aviv have become symbolic of increased economic relations. The aviation routes in this region do present a complex landscape, with financial profitability occurring at the same time that regional disputes impact air travel. The rise in flights from Tel Aviv to Dubai and other Middle Eastern destinations illustrates the complex interaction of political and economic relations that are reshaping the region. The routes currently offered by Middle East Airlines connect to hubs in the Middle East. These connections help to provide access to destinations, potentially making travel easier. The partnerships within the SkyTeam alliance potentially make these travel options better.

How I Earned 1 Million SAS EuroBonus Points A 21-Day SkyTeam Alliance Journey Across 6 Continents - Round The World Finish Through Tokyo and Shanghai on China Eastern and Vietnam Airlines

The final leg of this points-driven journey, taking place in Tokyo and Shanghai via China Eastern and Vietnam Airlines, provides more insight into how to maximize mileage earning. These destinations not only provide cultural experiences but are also quite well connected by SkyTeam airlines. The flights connecting these cities, plus their broader network, give chances for those trying to rack up points. It is important to plan the connection and consider what might provide the greatest value in terms of points and comfort while being aware that what's promised and what you get might differ quite significantly. Both cities provide a decent mix of cuisine and sightseeing to add to the experience of simply passing through the locations. The overall experience reinforces how route planning can be central to enhancing both travel experience and reward accrual.

The journey described culminates with a circumnavigation that includes pivotal layovers in Tokyo and Shanghai, leveraging China Eastern and Vietnam Airlines. This kind of travel is not just about getting from one point to another, but maximizing an extensive SkyTeam Alliance network. Both airlines present a chance to connect through Asia for long-haul flights, with an eye toward frequent flyer points. It appears the strategy is to leverage both the routes as well as the programs for points accumulation.

Earning a substantial sum of EuroBonus points requires a well thought-out approach to accumulating miles, mixing international flights and promotional deals with those programs. It's not enough to just fly, but to understand how the reward system is designed, and leverage opportunities. This 21-day trip crossing six continents is an extensive travel experience, and likely involves the use of various SkyTeam alliance airlines. This trip underscores the mechanics of travel and the benefits of loyalty programs in getting the most out of these experiences.

China Eastern’s program allows for bonus miles during promotional periods, boosting point accumulation on international routes, though this varies a lot. Tokyo’s Haneda Airport is efficient. It allows easy access to the city, giving travelers a unique chance to see Tokyo on layovers. Shanghai, known as a culinary hotspot, provides a very diverse array of food from high-end restaurants to street fare, this alone is a great aspect of the travel for any food lover, providing significant regional variation in cuisine.

China Eastern has expanded international routes from Shanghai as of 2025, with new connections to Europe and North America. This is useful for connecting through Asia when travelling globally. Both China Eastern and Vietnam Airlines offer competitively priced routes with stopovers, allowing travelers to explore two locations for one fare price, potentially making them a good option for maximizing travel experiences.

Vietnam Airlines has developed in-flight options, showcasing Vietnamese cuisine. The SkyTeam alliance allows smooth points transfers among its members, broadening options beyond just flights by including partner hotels and rental cars. These combined strategies offer additional opportunities for reward accrual.

Tokyo and Shanghai both offer cultural experiences near airports. City tours allow travellers to see historical sites during layovers. Shanghai's Pudong airport has incorporated biometric tech for faster check-in and boarding. This approach enhances the experience by cutting wait times. The increase in flights between Tokyo and Shanghai reflects increased economic relations, fostering travel as well as business within the region.