Five airline loyalty scheme changes to watch out for

The last three years have seen unprecedented intervention by airlines in their frequent flyer programmes, with status benefits extended several times to ensure members did not lose out as a result of travel restrictions

- Mark Caswell

As we move into a post-Covid era most of these temporary adjustments have now ceased, enabling airline groups to refocus on strategic changes to their schemes, some of which were originally announced before the pandemic but have been on hold.

Here we list the major changes coming in the next 12 months.

BRITISH AIRWAYS AND IBERIA

In November 2022 the Iberia Plus programme announced plans to move away from the current model of Avios earning being linked to the distance flown, in favour of Avios being awarded per flight expenditure.

Iberia Plus members now earn Avios according to the number of Euros spent with the airline, with entry level Clasica members receiving five Avios per €1 spent, and elite tier members earning eight Avios per €1 spent.

At the time of the announcement it was confirmed that fellow IAG member carrier British Airways will also adopt a similar system for its Executive Club in 2023 – we await further details on this with interest.

DELTA