Agents
raised concerns on Open Jaw by Travelinfo that the Avios travel rewards programme
had closed after a client was reportedly told this by the company. However, Avios has confirmed that the SA Avios
Travel Rewards Programme continues as it always has.
Avios told eTNW that while the UK arm of the Avios
Travel Rewards Programme had closed in May, and UK-based members were
transferred on to BA Executive Club instead, the SA Avios Travel Rewards
Programme was unaffected.
The UK
closure announcement, made by Avios
Group (AGL) Limited in
April this year, was picked up by SA agents and fuelled concern. The
announcement read: “Avios Group (AGL) Limited has today announced that it will
close the UK Avios Travel Rewards Programme and transfer members into the
British Airways Executive Club.”
The Avios Travel
Reward Programme allows SA clients to collect Avios when paying for fuel at BP
service stations, shopping at Pick n Pay, using Openweb, banking with an Avios
credit card, through Absa and UCount rewards, and when purchasing flights,
hotel stays or car rentals with supplier partners.
Both the Avios Travel Reward Programme and the BA Executive
Club allow members to earn the Avios currency. AGL operates the Avios reward currency for several different loyalty
programmes, including the Iberia Plus, AerClub, Vueling Club and Meridiana Club.
Avios is also the currency for kulula.com and Flybe frequent flyers.