Finnair Plus to Adopt Avios as Currency and Become a Spend-Based Platform

Dark/Light Mode (17/08/23)  Finnair has confirmed that it will introduce Avios as the new currency of its loyalty programme in early 2024 and move to a new spend-based platform.

Avios is the loyalty currency used by Finnair’s oneworld partners’ loyalty programs – British Airways Executive Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and Iberia Plus.

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.

Becoming a spend-based platform, means that members will earn Avios according to how much they spend rather than by the number of flights flown.

Finnair Airbus A320 reg: OH-LXC. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

Established in 1992, the Finnair Plus loyalty programme today has over four million members worldwide.

“2024 marks the start of a new era with our loyalty program, with new benefits and improved options for our members to use their earned Avios - both within Finnair and IAG Loyalty’s partner network,” said Ole Orvér, Finnair’s Chief Commercial Officer. “The move to a spend-based program rewards customers directly for their spend, just like many retail loyalty programs do. These moves allow us to leverage the full potential of our loyalty program and make it attractive to a wider audience.”

Finnair Plus members will be able to earn Avios when they shop online with thousands of leading brands via the shopping channel on British Airways' website 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, as well as Bilt in the US.

As part of the changes, Finnair will also increase the number of award seats, the most popular award among members, and guarantee at least 4 award seats on Finnair flights within Europe and 8 on Finnair long-haul flights.

Plus, as an extra incentive to join the Finnair Plus program, members will now also receive complimentary internet access for messaging as a new benefit on Finnair’s short-haul European flights operated with the narrow-body Airbus fleet, regardless of their tier status.

Finnair will also invest in new, more spacious lounge premises on the Schengen side of Helsinki Airport, Finnair’s home hub. The lounge will move to new premises in 2024 and feature a dedicated area for top-tier members. The current Schengen lounge will continue to serve customers until the new lounge opens.

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. However, one important difference is that members will collect Avios based on miles, not kilometres, flown.

“Finnair’s adoption of Avios is a recognition of the global significance of the currency, and the incredible value it has for members worldwide. They join a leading global network of airline partners, including British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, and Qatar Airways,” said Adam Daniels, CEO of IAG Loyalty. “We are excited to play a central role in Finnair’s new era for their loyalty program and for their members.”

Latest exclusive video interviews: Future of Air Travel - Interview with Sumesh Patel, President of SITA Asia Pacific; Miss International Queen 2024 (MIQ 2024) - Interview with Alisa Phanthusak, MD, Tiffany's Show Pattaya, Thailand; 16 HD Video Interviews from Routes Europe 2024 in Aarhus, Denmark; 9 HD Video Interviews from Routes Asia 2024 in Langkawi, Malaysia; Standard to Open Residences in Hua Hin and Phuket, Thailand; Video Interview with Amar Lalvani, Executive Chairman; 9 Exclusive Video Interviews from ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos; 8 NTO Press Conferences from ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos; 13 HD Video Interviews from World Travel Market 2023 in London, England; 5 HD Video Interviews from APG World Connect 2023 in Monaco, France; and 15 HD Video Interviews from Routes World 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye.