Want a Business Class seat but don’t want to spend a ton of points? Fly Premium lets SAS Mastercard Premium holders book Business or Premium Economy but pay the Economy points price. It’s great for solo flyers, families, and anyone who wants a nicer seat for fewer points.

In this guide, we show how it works, the current tier structure (updated December 2025), when to use it vs Amex 2-for-1, and how to book in a few clicks. We also cover why acting now matters given the expected Air France-KLM takeover and potential EuroBonus merger into Flying Blue.

In This Guide

What Is Fly Premium?

Fly Premium is a tiered benefit exclusive to SAS EuroBonus Mastercard Premium cardholders. This is how it works:

  • You must have SAS EuroBonus Mastercard Premium.
  • Book an award seat on SAS.
  • Choose Business or Premium Economy (or SAS Plus on domestic Scandinavian routes where it still exists).
  • You pay the Economy points price for that same flight

This benefit is activated during the booking process on the SAS website and applies to you and every traveler on your reservation (if seats are available). Your access to specific cabins and destinations is determined by your Fly Premium tier.

Using the SAS Mastercard Fly Premium benefit while booking.

Once qualified, you can choose to use your Fly Premium benefit while booking, assuming you are logged in to your account. Available flights will show up with the discount automatically.

Why Fly Premium is Great (And Unique)

Fly Premium is a powerful and flexible tool for all types of travelers, not just solo flyers. Its key advantage is providing consistent, reusable value on SAS flights.

  • Solo flyers, couples, or groups: Pay Economy points, sit in Business. The discount applies to everyone on your booking.
  • Unlimited Use (at highest tiers): Unlike limited Amex vouchers, once you hit the 75k/125k/200k tiers, you can use Fly Premium as much as you want within that tier’s limits.
  • Low points? Still get a better seat without saving forever.

The Ultimate Points Multiplier

Big win on long trips: After the December 2025 award price increase, Business Class to Asia or North America costs 60,000 points more than Economy on a round-trip. With Fly Premium, you save that entire gap.

How to Qualify for Fly Premium (It’s Not About Card Spend)

This is the most misunderstood aspect of Fly Premium. Your tier is not determined by how much you spend on your Mastercard Premium.

Instead, your Fly Premium level is based on the total number of EuroBonus Bonus Points you earn from all sources over a rolling 12-month period.

What Counts:

  • Flying with SAS and SkyTeam partners (KLM, Air France, Delta)
  • Spending on any SAS credit card (Amex, Mastercard, Lunar)
  • Car rentals, hotel stays, and other EuroBonus partners
  • Shopping via the EuroBonus Everyday portal

What Doesn't Count

Status points don’t count. Track Bonus Points earned in the last 12 months (visible in your EB account and in the Mastercard portal). Your Fly Premium level updates monthly.

Your level is recalculated monthly based on the Bonus Points you’ve earned in the trailing 12-month window. There is no lock-in: if your rolling 12-month total drops below a tier’s threshold, you move down to the tier you currently qualify for.

Screenshot of the SAS EuroBonus Mastercard portal showing where to check your current Fly Premium tier and points progress.

You can check your current Fly Premium status and qualifying points balance in your SAS Mastercard app.

Fly Premium Levels (Current Tiers / Nivåer)

SAS overhauled the Fly Premium tiers (nivåer) on December 1, 2025. The new structure makes Business Class accessible at a much lower points threshold and is now in full effect.

Key Insight

The 75,000-point tier is the sweet spot. It unlocks unlimited Business Class on intra-Europe SAS flights for Economy points — a game-changer for frequent regional travelers. If you can reach it, this alone can justify the Mastercard Premium annual fee many times over.

Fly Premium Tiers (Effective since December 1, 2025)
Bonus Points Earned (Last 12 Months) Destination Cabin Upgrade Number of Trips
0+ (Entry) Domestic / Scandinavia SAS Plus or Business 1 round-trip
75,000+ (Sweet Spot) Europe SAS Business Unlimited
125,000+ Worldwide Premium Economy Unlimited
200,000+ (Top Tier) Worldwide Premium Economy or SAS Business Unlimited

Post-Devaluation Boost

Why Fly Premium is more valuable than ever: In December 2025, SAS also increased award prices for premium cabins on long-haul flights (e.g., Business to Asia/North America went up ~20%). Since Fly Premium lets you pay the Economy price — which was largely unchanged — the points gap you save is now even bigger.

How to Get the Most Value

Simply having the benefit isn’t enough. To maximize it, you need a strategy focused on the highest-value redemptions.

  1. Target the Points Gap: The value of Fly Premium is directly proportional to the points difference between cabins. A long-haul Business Class round-trip (120,000 pts after the Dec 2025 price increase) booked for an Economy price (60,000 pts) is a 60,000-point saving – worth roughly 6,000 kr at a conservative valuation.
  2. Chase Top Tier (200,000+ Points): This is the holy grail. Unlimited worldwide Business Class for Economy points is the single most valuable perk in the Nordic points ecosystem. Focus your earning (flights, card spend, EuroBonus Everyday) to hit and maintain this level.
  3. Exploit the 75k Tier: This is a game-changer for European travel. Unlimited access to SAS’s new European Business Class (launched October 2025, with dedicated cabin, blocked middle seats, and lounge access) for Economy points makes the SAS Mastercard Premium a must-have for frequent regional travelers.
  4. Use Premium Economy When Business is Unavailable: If your preferred long-haul Business Class flight has no award space, booking Premium Economy for the Economy price (available at the 125k tier) is still an exceptional value, offering significantly more comfort.

Reality-tested Examples

  • Long-haul where Business is 60k points more than Economy (e.g., 120k vs 60k RT to Asia/North America) → Fly Premium saves the entire gap.
  • Intra-Europe where Business is ~10–20k more than Economy → frequent travelers extract recurring value all year with the 75k tier.

Fly Premium vs Amex 2-for-1

You cannot combine these benefits. Choosing the right one for each trip is key to maximizing your points. Here’s how to decide.

Fly Premium vs. Amex 2-for-1 Voucher: The Strategic Choice
Feature SAS Fly Premium Amex 2-for-1 Voucher
Ideal Traveler Solo travelers, couples, or groups Couples or pairs of travelers (also great for solo travelers getting 50% off)
Points Outlay Lower. Economy price per person (applies to all travelers on the booking). Higher. Full premium price for one person (covers two).
Best for Limited Points Yes. The lower points cost is more accessible. No. Requires a large points balance for premium cabins.
Airline Flexibility SAS-operated flights only SAS + SkyTeam partners (KLM, Air France, Delta, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, and more)
Taxes & Fees Premium cabin taxes/fees for each traveler on the booking. Premium cabin taxes/fees for both travelers (the "free" ticket still incurs full taxes).
Usage Limit Unlimited (at 75k/125k/200k tiers) Limited (typically 1-2 vouchers per year)

How To Decide What To Use? (Cheat Sheet)

Your Cheat Sheet: Fly Premium vs Amex 2-for-1
Situation Best Option
Flying mainly on SAS flights Fly Premium
Want unlimited premium cabin bookings (at highest tier) Fly Premium
Traveling alone or in an odd-numbered group Fly Premium
Booking a partner airline (like KLM or Delta) Amex 2-for-1
Low on points but want premium comfort on SAS Fly Premium
Traveling as a couple and have a large points balance Amex 2-for-1

Pro Strategy: The Dual-Benefit Power Play

The Card Combo Pro-Move: For residents of Sweden/Norway, the ultimate setup is SAS Amex Premium (for the 2-for-1) + SAS Mastercard Premium. Use the Amex for daily spend to chase the voucher, and put non-Amex spend on the Mastercard. This not only gives you universal point earnings but also actively builds your Fly Premium tier through the Mastercard’s points, giving you two paths to premium cabin redemptions.

How to Book a Fly Premium Ticket (Step-by-Step)

The booking process is straightforward. Follow these steps.

  1. Log in to your EuroBonus account on the SAS website and start an award search (check “Pay with points”).
  2. On the flight results page, look for the “Available Vouchers” banner near the top.
  3. Click on “Fly Premium Voucher” from the list.
  4. The prices on the page will refresh. Now, when you select SAS Business or Premium Economy, the points price will be displayed at the SAS Go (Economy) level.
  5. Complete your booking. You’ll pay the discounted points plus the full cash taxes and fees for the premium cabin.

You cannot combine Fly Premium with an Amex 2-for-1 voucher. The system will only allow you to apply one benefit per booking.

It

Pro tip: Use our EuroBonus Analysis and Forecast Tool to understand award pricing. Then, use AwardFares to check SAS award space first (Business/Plus). Set a Live Alert so you can book the moment seats open, then apply Fly Premium at checkout.

Discount when using the SAS Mastercard Fly Premium benefit while booking.

Once qualified, you can choose to use your Fly Premium benefit while booking, assuming you are logged in to your account. Available flights will show up with the discount automatically.

Country Differences

  • Denmark: Mastercard Premium is the core path to premium SAS redemptions (no Amex). Fly Premium delivers the most leverage for DK residents.
  • Sweden/Norway: Fly Premium (Mastercard Premium) + Amex 2-for-1 (Amex Premium/Elite) = best combo. Use Mastercard where Amex isn’t accepted and to build your Bonus-points tally.
  • Fees/Earning: Fees and earning rates are set per country; always confirm on your country’s Mastercard page linked below.

Important Rules

  • Active Card Required: You must be the primary cardholder of an active SAS EuroBonus Mastercard Premium.
  • SAS Metal Only: The benefit is only valid on flights operated by SAS (SK flight number). Partner airlines are excluded.
  • Award Seat Availability: Fly Premium only works if there is a “Bonus” (award) seat available in the higher cabin you want to book.
  • Taxes & Fees: You are always responsible for the full taxes, fees, and surcharges of the actual cabin you fly in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Questions Answered

Is the SAS Mastercard Premium worth it just for Fly Premium?

Yes, if you fly SAS regularly. For a solo traveler, just one long-haul Business Class round-trip using Fly Premium saves 60,000 points (≈6,000 kr value), easily covering the card’s ~2,335 kr annual fee several times over. The added Status Points and insurance make it an even stronger proposition.

Can I use Fly Premium for my entire family?

Yes, within SAS’s limits. The benefit applies to every person on the booking confirmation (PNR), as long as there are enough award seats in the premium cabin for your entire party.

What happens if I cancel my card?

You immediately lose access to the Fly Premium benefit. Any future bookings will not receive the discount.

How do I check my current Fly Premium tier?

Log in to your SAS EuroBonus Mastercard online portal (run by SEB). Your current tier and progress toward the next one are displayed there.

Can I use Fly Premium on partner airlines like KLM or Delta?

No. This is a critical limitation. Fly Premium is exclusively for SAS-operated flights. For partners, you must use the Amex 2-for-1 voucher (available on all SkyTeam airlines including KLM, Air France, Delta, Korean Air, and Virgin Atlantic).

Do I get lounge access with a Fly Premium ticket? (SAS Mastercard Premium Lounge Access)

The SAS EuroBonus Mastercard Premium card itself does not include standalone lounge access. However, your Fly Premium ticket determines lounge eligibility based on the cabin you actually fly in:

  • SAS Business Class ticket (booked via Fly Premium): Yes, you get full access to SAS Lounges at departure airports where they exist (Copenhagen, Stockholm Arlanda, Oslo, etc.).

  • SAS Plus ticket (booked via Fly Premium): No guaranteed lounge access from the ticket alone. SAS Plus does not automatically include lounge entry on most routes. You can still access lounges if you hold EuroBonus Gold or Diamond status, or through a SkyTeam Elite Plus membership.

  • SAS Go (Economy): No lounge access unless you have elite status.

If lounge access matters to you, aim for the 75,000-point tier (Europe) or 200,000-point tier (worldwide) to book Business Class via Fly Premium — that’s the simplest way to secure lounge access through the card’s benefit.

SAS Mastercard Premium vs SAS Amex Elite: Which is better?

They serve different purposes and work best together. The SAS Amex Elite (~6,900 kr/year) gives you two 2-for-1 vouchers, higher earning rates, and Status Points from spend — ideal for couples flying SAS and SkyTeam partners. The SAS Mastercard Premium (~2,335 kr/year) gives you Fly Premium for unlimited solo upgrades on SAS, plus universal acceptance where Amex isn’t taken. If you can only pick one: solo travelers should lean Mastercard Premium; couples should lean Amex Elite. If you can hold both, that’s the optimal strategy.

What's the difference between Fly Premium and a companion ticket (2-for-1)?

Fly Premium upgrades your cabin (Economy points → Business seat) for one or more travelers. The Amex 2-for-1 voucher is a companion ticket — you pay full price for one traveler and the second flies free in the same cabin. They solve different problems: Fly Premium saves you the points gap between cabins; the 2-for-1 saves you an entire ticket. You cannot combine them on the same booking. See our full comparison above.

Can I pay with points and cash using Fly Premium?

No. Fly Premium only applies to pure award (bonus) tickets — the ones you book entirely with EuroBonus points under “Pay with Points” on flysas.com. SAS’s “Points + Cash” mixed-payment option is a separate system and is not eligible for the Fly Premium discount.

What is SAS Plus vs SAS Business vs SAS Premium Economy?

On long-haul flights, SAS offers Economy (Go), Premium Economy, and Business. On short-haul/European flights, SAS replaced the old SAS Plus product with a full European Business Class on October 1, 2025 — featuring a dedicated cabin, blocked middle seats, upgraded dining, and lounge access (read our review). SAS Plus may still appear on some domestic Scandinavian routes. With Fly Premium, you can book any of these premium cabins for Economy points, depending on your tier.

The Future: EuroBonus, Flying Blue, and Why You Should Act Now

There’s an elephant in the room. Air France-KLM is set to become the majority owner (60.5%) of SAS, with the deal expected to close in the second half of 2026. A legal agreement requires SAS to “facilitate a merger of the loyalty programs” once AF-KLM holds over 50% of shares.

What does this mean for Fly Premium?

  • Fly Premium is almost certainly a EuroBonus-only perk. Flying Blue has no equivalent benefit. Once the programs merge, it is very likely to be discontinued.
  • Dynamic award pricing is coming. SAS is already building a dynamic pricing team, which would replace the fixed award chart that makes Fly Premium’s “pay Economy for Business” math so clear-cut.
  • The fixed award chart amplifies your savings. Right now, the points gap between Economy and Business is predictable. Under dynamic pricing, that gap could shrink (or vanish) on low-demand flights, reducing Fly Premium’s value even if it somehow survived.

Use It Before It’s Gone

Bottom line: Fly Premium is at its peak value right now. The combination of a fixed award chart, the new tier structure, and post-devaluation premium cabin prices creates the widest points-saving gap we’ve ever seen. Use it while you can.

Conclusion: Is Fly Premium Worth It?

The SAS Mastercard Premium’s Fly Premium benefit is one of the best ways to stretch your EuroBonus points. If you have the SAS Mastercard Premium, you can fly in Business or Premium Economy while paying only Economy points — no tricks, no limits, just smart travel.

For travelers in Denmark, it’s the easiest path to upgrade your SAS flights. In Sweden and Norway, it works perfectly with the Amex 2-for-1 voucher: use Fly Premium when you travel solo, and the Amex voucher when you fly as a pair.

With the Air France-KLM takeover expected later in 2026, this benefit may not be around forever. Start using it today. Check your Fly Premium level in your SAS Mastercard app. Revisit our Ultimate SAS Credit Cards Guide to build your complete card strategy, then use AwardFares to find and alert yourself to the perfect award seats for your next Fly Premium adventure.

Read More

Master the entire EuroBonus ecosystem with our in-depth guides.

Our Commitment to Accuracy

To maintain this guide as the most reliable resource available, we continuously monitor the official issuer pages for any changes to fees, benefits, and terms. All Fly Premium rules and tiers in this guide were last verified against official sources on April 6, 2026.