Airline Loyalty Programmes and Covid-19: What you need to know
I wanted to give a quick summary of the main loyalty programmes and what changes they have made since lockdown began.
British Airways
BA have taken the decision to lower Tier Point thresholds by 30% for all Members due for Tier upgrade or renewal in April, May and June. The lower Tier qualification thresholds are:
• Bronze: 210 Tier Points
• Silver: 420 Tier Points
• Gold: 1050 Tier Points
Also worth noting: A six month extension is being applied to any Gold Upgrade Vouchers, Companion Vouchers and Travel Together Tickets earned via a BA credit card. Still no news on memberships that expire beyond June but hopefully BA announce a further update shortly.
More Information from British Airways here: https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/executive-club/tiers-and-benefits
Emirates
Emirates Skywards Silver, Gold and Platinum members with a tier review date prior to 1 April 2021 will retain their current status for a further 12 months with just 70% of the usual travel requirements. Emirates Skywards Silver, Gold and Platinum members, with a tier status review between March 2020 and September 2020 who are unable to retain their existing tier, will have their existing status extended until 31 December 2020. Those members who have Skywards Miles expiring soon needn’t worry – Emirates have extended their validity until 31 December 2020.
More information here: https://www.emirates.com/uk/english/help/covid-19/
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Virgin Flying Club are extending the status of all our Silver and Gold members by 6 months. This means you will now have 18 months to earn the tier points you need to maintain your current status or achieve new status:
400 tier points need to be earned during the 18 month Extended Membership Year for Silver status to be maintained for another 12 months
1000 tier points need to be earned during the 18 month Extended Membership Year for Gold status to be maintained for another 12 months.
Your Extended Membership Year will be viewable online in your Flying Club account.
They are also extending the validity of any current companion, upgrade or Clubhouse vouchers by six months. Vouchers will not be reissued, however will still be able to be used
https://www.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/flying-club/how-flying-club-works/offers-news.html
American Airlines
American Airlines are extending the elite status of their AAdvantage members as follows:
• Extending elite status for AAdvantage members until Jan. 31, 2022.
• Reducing elite status qualifications for 2020.
• Extending Admirals Club® memberships purchased from American for 6 months.
• Introducing up to $400 special credits for future travel on American Airlines Vacations packages for elite members.
• Every dollar spent on an eligible AAdvantage co-branded credit card through the end of 2020 will count for one mile toward Million Miler status.
• Award reinstatement fees waived for travel through September 2020.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific are adding 12 months to the status of Marco Polo Silver, Gold and Diamond members whose membership anniversary falls between May and April 21.
In addition, 'mid-tier benefits' such as first and business class lounge passes expiring between May and April 21 will be extended for an additional 12 months.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines are renewing PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club membership for one membership year.
They are also extending PPS Rewards that will be expiring between July and December 2020 to be valid till 31 March 2021.
Your PPS Club / Solitaire PPS Club membership will be automatically renewed on the date based on your membership expiry month Further information and details can be found at singaporeair.com
Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian etc - Miles and More
Current status is now valid until the end of February 2022.
If you qualify or re-qualify for status this year, be it Frequent Traveller, Senator or HON Circle, the status is valid until the end of February 2023. Qualifying Miles required are not reduced:
• Frequent Traveller: 30 segments or 35,000 status miles
• Senator: 100,000 status miles
• HON Circle: 600,000 status miles
Please do get in touch if you would like any information on any programmes not mentioned here.