Air India is set to revamp its loyalty program in early 2024 to align with the carrier’s global ambitions. The move comes as part of the airline’s merger with Vistara, which will bring new infrastructure and attract loyal customers from Club Vistara. The redesigned loyalty program aims to address the current challenges faced by the Flying Returns program, including outdated features, limited earning opportunities, and complex redemption options.
The merger with Vistara is expected to provide Air India with advanced infrastructure through the Club Vistara loyalty program. This will not only bring in a significant number of loyal customers but also enable the integration of online services and the expansion of agreements. While both loyalty programs have their strengths and weaknesses, the collaboration seeks to leverage their respective advantages and enhance the overall customer experience.
Air India’s statement regarding the loyalty program redesign indicates a focus on offering thousands of new redemption possibilities. This could involve redesigning the booking platform to provide more ticket options, allowing for redemptions across all group airlines, including AI Express and AIXC, or exploring partnerships beyond the Star Alliance.
Although there is no official confirmation of the collaboration between the loyalty programs, Club Vistara members have been assured that their interests will be maintained in any new structure. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has acknowledged the need for a revamp to align Flying Returns with the carrier’s future plans. Both Air India and Vistara have been contacted for further comments on the matter.
To make the loyalty program more attractive, it is essential to improve the earning and spending opportunities. Currently, members can only earn points from flights and credit card transactions with limited redemption options. The program needs to expand its partnerships with hotels, retailers, and travel providers and reconsider the mileage requirements. Additionally, the airline should aim for better availability of redemption options and remove restrictions such as sector-wise ticketing and punitive miles deductions for cancellations.
Vistara’s strong availability and reasonable prices for long-haul economy redemptions could serve as a reference for Air India’s loyalty program. However, each program needs to consider its specific economic considerations, as Air India’s alliance partnership means finding a balance between profitability and offering attractive benefits.
The upcoming changes to Air India’s loyalty program have generated curiosity and expectations among its customers. It remains to be seen how the airline will address the current limitations and offer a revamped program that meets the demands of its global ambitions. Air India’s loyal customers and industry experts are keen to see an enhanced loyalty program that provides better earning and redemption opportunities, improved availability, and a seamless user experience.
Overall, the revamp of Air India’s loyalty program is seen as a crucial step in its journey towards becoming a globally competitive carrier. By offering a more attractive loyalty program, the airline aims to strengthen customer loyalty and attract new travelers seeking valuable rewards and benefits.
