Aegean’s Miles+Bonus just turned 20 and previously changed elite qualification requirements in 2014 (read more here).
Now, Aegean is significantly increasing the tier miles requirement for status qualification or renewal IF you don’t take 2 or 4 Aegean or Olympic Air segments during your tier year.
You can access Aegean’s page for changes here.
Upgrade to Silver:
12,000 Status Miles + 2 Aegean/Olympic Segments OR 35,000 Status Miles (previously 24,000)
Retain Silver:
8,000 Status Miles + 2 Aegean/Olympic Segments OR 35,000 Status Miles (previously 16,000)
Upgrade to Gold:
24,000 Status Miles + 4 Aegean/Olympic Segments OR 70,000 Status Miles (previously 48,000)
Retain Gold:
12,000 Status Miles + 4 Aegean/Olympic Segments OR 70,000 Status Miles (previously 24,000)
Aegean’s Email:
The airline sent out a vaguely worded email about these changes that were not disclosed in the email.
Miles+Bonus Silver & Gold Benefits:
The main benefits of Miles+Bonus Gold are to have extra luggage allowance + lounge access on Olympic Air flights (all domestic and some regional flights are Olympic Air operated) that is not Star Alliance partner. Star Alliance Gold benefits from partner programs don’t apply.
Miles+Bonus 2014 Changes:
Aegean Miles+Bonus Program Changes November 2014 (Easy Star Alliance Gold Gone!)
Conclusion
You could previously (before 2014) retain Miles+Bonus Gold status by merely crediting a flight to the program every 36 months; that was very generous.
Aegean’s Miles+Bonus has probably been the easiest Star Alliance program to requalify for Gold, regardless of the flown airlines. However, the initial qualification hasn’t been as easy due to higher tier miles requirements and resetting tier miles when moving to Silver and Gold.
It is clear that Aegean doesn’t want members in its program that don’t fly the airline by significantly increasing tier requirements without Aegean/Olympic Air flights.
I have kept Aegean Gold status and, in some years, have had four or more Aegean/Olympic Air flights and years when I have not. The requirement of 70,000 tier miles without four own segments is high.