Freddie Award-winning SAS Eurobonus has introduced a number of changes, including lowered award levels, larger elite bonuses, and lower elite thresholds.

Award levels to Eastern Europe and the U.S. have been reduced. Trips between Scandinavia and Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania have dropped from 20,000 to 12,000 points; trips from Scandinavia to the U.S. have dropped from is 70,000 to 60,000 points in coach and from 110,000 to 90,000 in business class.

The elite program has been altered as well. Previously, Silver and Gold members earned respective 15 and 20-percent bonuses in business class only; beginning this month, those bonuses apply to economy fares as well.

Elite-level thresholds have dropped as well, though levels vary by region.

In addition, the requirement that award trips be booked seven days in advance has been scrapped, though trips booked later than that will be required to last for at least three nights.

Further, members are now allowed to gift award trips to anyone they choose. Previously, only family members (spouses, partners or children) could participate in that portion of the program.

On the down side, SAS is reducing points earned on discounted economy fares. The cheapest tickets will earn just 25 percent of normal levels. In SAS’ defense, however, it should be mentioned that many international programs do not award any miles or points for cheap seats.

Finally, all bookings made online at scandinavian.net will earn a 500-point bonus.