Not only is Eos flying to Dubai beginning this summer, but the airline is making changes to its Club 48 program that may entice frequent business class travelers to seriously consider the program. Members will be pleased to hear that the airline has introduced a new three-tiered elite program and all flights flown in 2008 will qualify toward elite status. Members who fly 10 segments or earn 75,000 points will be given Orion level status and receive a 25,000-point threshold bonus and a Priority Pass, which provides annual access to over 500 airport lounges worldwide. The next highest level, Thea, is reached after 20 segments or 150,000 points and comes with a 50,000-point threshold bonus and a 50-percent mileage bonus. Helios members (30 segments or 250,000 points) will receive a 150,000-point threshold bonus plus a 100-percent flight bonus on all flights.

Other changes to the program include a new point-earning structure. The program previously offered a flat 7,500 points for each one-way flight between New York and London, regardless of fare class. Now, members flying between New York and London or London and Dubai will earn 11,250 points on C and J fares while members flying in S, T and W will only earn 3,750 points per segment. All other fare classes continue to earn 7,500 points and flights between New York and Dubai will earn twice as many points. Flight award levels will remain the same, at 80,000 points for a one-way award ticket, and 135,000 points for a roundtrip award ticket between New York and London.

Furthermore, beginning Dec. 31, 2008, Club 48 will implement a mileage expiration policy. Members who do not earn any points from flight activity within an 18-month period will be considered inactive and all of their points will expire.