There’s been a question that has been pestering the frequent flyer community in India, which is, what happens to their Club Vistara points and status when the airline and its programme merge into Air India?
Now, the clouds have cleared around the topic and while the airline has not clarified about when the programme will be subsumed into Air India’s Flying Returns, it has assured everyone that the programme will remain till Vistara continues to exist.
Vistara is a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata Group, which also owns Air India.
It has been informed by Club Vistara to its users that its ‘frequent flyer’ programme will be merged with Air India’s ‘Flying Returns’ programme.
What will happen to Vistara programme post-merger of Vistara & Air India?
The merger deal of Vistara and Air India is awaiting certain regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
In a communication to its users, the Club Vistara said that “The process of integration between Air India and Vistara is ongoing, while we await some regulatory approvals. As we work towards a merged, larger airline, Club Vistara will also, merge with Air India’s Flying Returns. The Club Vistara program will continue to exist until the integration is complete. Upon completion of the integration process, your Club Vistara account will be migrated to Air India’s Flying Returns”.
It further added that Vistara shall shool become a part of the Tata Group’s larger airline, Air India – which would mean access to a larger fleet and a wider global network for the users.
Benefits of your Club Vistara membership, after the migration:
As per the update, “Your tier status will be assigned based on the cumulative points of both programs. You will be able to maintain, at least, your current Club Vistara tier status or get upgraded if you qualify basis the cumulative points. Going forward, the rules of Flying Returns will apply”.
On the very day of migration, at 1:1 ratio, the CV Points balance and the Tier Points available in your account will be transferred to Flying Returns program.
Irrespective of the fact that the points were due to expire soon, the points shall remain valid for at least one year from the date of migration.
It was announced that all the future bookings will be transferred, and you and your nominees will receive the revised flight details post migration.
Post the migration, any changes to the existing bookings will be as per Flying Returns’ rules, post the migration.
Club Vistara added that “All valid unutilized One-Class Upgrade vouchers and Complimentary Flight Ticket vouchers will be transferred to Flying Returns with the existing validity. The usage will be governed by the applicable program rules”.
It further added that the updates around the Club Vistara Co-brand Cards will be shared in the coming weeks. They said that “As a part of the integration process at our end, your personal data pertaining to your membership will be evaluated by authorised representatives, maintaining highest level of confidentiality throughout this process.”
