Finnair Takes-off with Avios

Finnair Plus loyalty members will now use Avios as their new loyalty currency, as the program enters a new era. The move comes following a partnership with IAG Loyalty to adopt Avios - the loyalty currency used by Finnair's oneworld partners' loyalty programs - British Airways Executive Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and Iberia Plus.

Launched in 1992, the Finnair Plus loyalty program has over four million members worldwide, and the new changes herald a new era for its members looking to collect and use their hard-earned loyalty currency.

The enhanced spend-based program gives members more new opportunities, such as extra rewards like additional upgrade benefits, when reaching certain point limits within their existing tier, and increased collect and use opportunities from later in spring.   

As part of the investment, Finnair has also increased the number of award seats on flights departing from 1 February 2024 – the most popular award among members.

The airline now guarantees at least four award seats on Finnair flights within Europe and eight on Finnair long-haul flights, giving customers more opportunities to use their hard-earn points.   

Finnair Plus members can also now benefit from complimentary internet access for messaging on Finnair's short-haul European flights operated with the narrow-body Airbus fleet, regardless of their tier status. This benefit has already been in place since November 2023, and is already proving popular with Finnair Plus members.

Ole Orvér, Finnair's Chief Commercial Officer, said: "Adopting Avios as our new loyalty currency will bring great new benefits to our four million Finnair Plus members worldwide.     

"We are always looking for new ways to enhance the customer proposition to earn the loyalty of Finnair's most loyal customers and know this landmark change will open the door to even more opportunities."

Adam Daniels, CEO of IAG Loyalty, said: "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.

"We are excited to play a central role in Finnair's new era for their loyalty program and for their members."

From later this spring, customers will also have the opportunity to transfer Avios between Finnair Plus and British Airways Executive Club accounts with a 1:1 ratio, giving access to British Airways Executive Club's network of rewards and partnerships, such as travel experiences and online shopping brands.

The Finnair Plus loyalty program is now spend-based, rather than driven by the number of flights flown by its members.

The new loyalty currency, Avios, is collected, and members are able to move from one tier to another based on the money spent on Finnair's flights and travel extras. Tier limits have been 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, you will collect based on miles, not kilometres, flown.

For further information on Finnair's move to Avios, please visit finnair.com/gb-en/finnair-plus/avios