Partnering with IAG Loyalty to adopt Avios will bring new opportunities for existing and new Finnair Plus members to collect and use the programme’s new loyalty currency. The airline has also announced that its programme will also move to a new spend-based platform as it seeks to outsource almost all functions of administration.
The partnership is the next step in the expansion of the Avios currency worldwide, ensuring the 40 million+ members can enjoy Avios on even more routes and on even more rewarding experiences.
It follows last year’s ground-breaking partnership between IAG Loyalty and Qatar Airways that saw the airline join British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling as adopters of Avios.
IAG Loyalty CEO, Adam Daniels, said: “Finnair’s adoption of Avios is recognition of the global significance of our currency, the incredible value and the wide range of benefits it has for members. We are delighted to be able to play a central role in a new era for Finnair’s loyalty programme, as we continue to grow the Avios currency globally and extend our leadership in loyalty.”
The Finnair Plus programme was launched in 1992 and the airline says has over four million members, although it is unknown how many are active travellers or the exact liability amount of their accounts.
Finnair SVP Customer Engagement, Rogier Van Enk said: “2024 marks the start of an exciting era for our loyalty program, with new benefits and improved options for our members to use Avios - both within Finnair and within IAG Loyalty’s partner network. We look forward to a great and long-lasting partnership for many years to come.”
As part of the changes, Finnair will also increase the number of award seats available on its flights, in many cases, double as the airline will guarantee at least 4 award seats on Finnair flights within Europe and 8 on Finnair long-haul flights.
Finnair Plus award points will be converted to Avios with a 3:2 ratio, and the purchasing power of the current points remains unchanged – Avios prices are also updated with the same 3:2 ratio.
The new loyalty currency, Avios, will be collected, and members will be able to move from one tier to another based on the money spent on Finnair’s flights and travel extras. Tier limits will be revised to reflect the switch to Avios and the new spend-based earn of tier points. Collecting tier points and loyalty currency on partner-marketed or operated flights will continue to be based on the travel class, booking class, and distance flown. The new programme will work on miles rather than kilometres, flown.
Finnair Plus members will be able to earn Avios when they shop online with thousands of leading brands via shopping.ba.com and with IAG Loyalty’s growing list of partners around the world that range from BP, Nectar, and Uber in the UK, Areas airport retail, and Cabify in Spain and Bilt in the US.
IAG Loyalty currently partners with over 125 leading global brands such as American Express, Nectar, Uber and Marriott.