Finnair Plus Joins Avios
Credits: PointsHacks
In the early months of 2024, Finnair Plus will embrace Avios as its new points currency, joining the ranks of the Avios loyalty program. Before this development, the most recent addition to the Avios ecosystem was Qatar Airways Privilege Club in the spring of 2022.
Current members of Finnair Plus will witness their accumulated points converted into Avios using a 3:2 ratio. Notably, Finnair assures that the points' value will remain unaffected, intending to scale redemption costs at the same 3:2 ratio. This implies that utilizing Avios to book Finnair flights might be marginally cheaper than using Finnair Plus points, although the difference may not be substantial. Furthermore, post-integration, members will enjoy the freedom to transfer Avios between various existing "flavours" of Avios and Finnair Avios. This will allow points to move from transferable points currencies to other Avios flavors and subsequently into Finnair Avios as required.
This shift holds positive implications for North American Miles & Points enthusiasts. British Airways Executive Club, with its numerous transfer partners in both Canada and the US, including American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and more, will see increased accessibility.
The transition also brings news of Finnair's intention to increase the availability of "Saver" award seats. On long-haul routes, a minimum of two business class, two premium economy, and four economy award seats will be offered on every flight.
Intra-European flights will similarly offer at least two business class and four economy award seats per booking. Finnair's current US destinations, including Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Seattle, will benefit from these enhancements.
While precise details, including the transition date, remain undisclosed, Finnair's shift to the Avios ecosystem will also accompany the adoption of a revenue-based earning model. This model, akin to British Airways' earlier announcement, revolves around earning Avios and elite status tiers through expenditure rather than distance flown.
Notably, this diverges from the British Airways Executive Club's approach, where Tier Points remain connected to the distance-based model. This evolution aligns with a broader industry trend, as British Airways, Iberia, and North American airlines like American Airlines, Delta, and United have embraced or plan to adopt the revenue-based model.
The revenue-based earning model rewards passengers who invest in full-fare tickets for premium cabins, whereas those opting for discounted fares across various classes may accrue fewer points than in a distance-based model.
While specifics of the revenue-based model's structure for points and status tiers will be revealed in due course, the transition represents a significant transformation for Finnair Plus, aligning it with modern trends and offering enhanced opportunities for loyal travelers.
In summary, by 2024, Finnair Plus will integrate Avios as its currency, anticipated around spring. This change will be accompanied by increased availability of award seats, the adoption of a revenue-based earning model, and a broader alignment with contemporary industry practices. Further details are anticipated in the coming months, signaling an exciting journey ahead for loyal Finnair travelers.