FFPs – airlines are changing the rules

MORE airlines are
changing their loyalty
programmes to reward
higher paying customers
rather than earning miles
based on the number of miles
flown.
Qantas, Lufthansa/SWISS
and Turkish Airlines have
recently announced changes
to their FFP models.
Lufthansa’s Miles &
More FFP implemented the
change in January with miles
earned in the lower-priced
economy booking classes
being reduced. Frequent flyer
miles in the lower-priced
booking classes have been
reduced for flights operated
by Adria Airways, Air Dolomiti,
Austrian Airlines, Brussels
Airlines, Croatia Airlines,
Germanwings, LOT Polish
Airlines, Lufthansa, Luxair
and SWISS.
Upgrade awards from
economy booking class T to
business class will no longer
be possible on European
flights operated by Austrian
Airlines, Brussels Airlines and
Lufthansa.
Turkish Airlines’ Miles &
Smiles members will also
now receive miles based on
the price of their ticket from
June 1.
Classic Plus members
receive the same benefits
as Elite and Elite Plus
members, with additional
miles when travelling in
Comfort or business class
on international flights.
In addition, passengers
travelling with a companion
can obtain an award ticket for
the accompanying passenger
using 70% of the required
miles if the member’s
purchased ticket qualifies to
acquire additional miles.
There is also no longer
any difference between the
points awarded in high and
low season. For passengers
to receive regional upgrades
to the next cabin, a fixed
number of award miles
are required that are not
dependent on the price of the
original ticket.
Passengers flying discount
economy on Qantas will need
more frequent flyer points to
upgrade to business class on
domestic flights from July 1.
The points needed are:
On flights up to 600 miles:
10 000 points (up from
8 000)
On flights between 601 and
1 200 miles: 15 000 points
(up from 12 000)
On flights between 1 201
and 2 400 miles: 20 000
points (up from 16 000)
On flights between 2 401
and 3 600 miles: 30 000
points (up from 24 000).