As Vistara prepares to cease operations from November 11, 2024 after the merger with Air India, the two airlines are in the process of merging their frequent flyer royalty programmes - Club Vistara and Flying Returns.
Vistara's loyalty programme, Club Vistara, will merge with Air India's Flying Returns Programme. However, during the transition period, the existing Club Vistara membership of customers will continue to be in effect.
Moneycontrol looks to answer some of the biggest questions customers may have following the merger of the two royalty programmes.
When will Club Vistara points be merged with Air India's Flying Returns?
As part of the merger, Club Vistara (CV) will merge into Air India Flying Returns on November 12, 2024. Club Vistara points balance, tier status, and available vouchers (if any) will be transferred to Flying Returns on November 12, 2024, Air India told Moneycontrol in a statement.
In May 2024, preliminary information was released about the merger of the loyalty programmes, followed by advice to link loyalty accounts in both programmes.
What is the ratio at which Club Vistara points will be transferred to Air India's Flying Returns?
On the day of migration, the CV points balance, and the Tier Points available in the member accounts will be transferred to the Flying Returns programme at a 1:1 ratio. The points will remain valid for at least one year from the date of migration, even if they are due to expire sooner.
Will there be a transition period when customers will not be able to use their Club Vistara points?
Due to the discontinuation of sale of flights on Vistara currently, Club Vistara members are not be able to redeem CV points and vouchers for flights after November 11, 2024.
In the interim, for bookings for travel on or after November 12, 2024, customers can book with Air India and earn Flying Returns Reward Points using their existing Flying Returns account or by enrolling into the Flying Returns programme, as the accounts will get merged and all points will eventually come into a single account.
In order to minimise the inconvenience, CV points expiring in the months of September 2024 and October 2024, will be transferred to your Flying Returns account with an extended validity of one year, alongwith the ability to redeem points on a wider network with Air India. Complimentary Flight Ticket Vouchers with validity beyond November 11, 2024 will be further extended for a period of three months and this validity will reflect in your Flying Returns account.
Can customers use their Club Vistara points on the Air India network as of September 10?
Vistara will continue its flight operations until November 11, 2024 allowing all bookings on the Vistara website along with accrual of CV points.
Bookings with Vistara for travel on or after November 12, 2024 were discontinued on September 3, 2024. This includes Award Flights and bookings made using Cash + Points. Starting November 12, 2024, all Vistara aircraft will be operated by Air India, and bookings for the routes operated by these aircraft will be redirected to Air India’s website.
What will happen to the Vistara co-branded credit cards?
Club Vistara members holding existing co-brand cards will continue to enjoy current benefits as per the current card programme construct and existing programme's terms and conditions until March 31, 2026.
All CV points, One Class Upgrade Vouchers, and Complimentary Ticket Vouchers will be transferred to customers’ linked Flying Returns accounts on November 12, 2024.
After this date, co-branded card holders will earn Flying Returns Points and Complimentary Ticket Vouchers in addition to the existing card benefits. They will also continue to enjoy their Tier status for a year from the date of merger.
As the programme benefits will continue only until March 31, 2026, the annual card membership renewals, as applicable, will not be done after March 31, 2025, ensuring that the features and benefits are continued for the whole 12-month annual period.
Effective September 30, 2024, issuance of new co-brand cards will be discontinued. The exact date may vary based on the internal policies of the issuing banking partner.
Will customers need to create a new account on Air India's Flying Returns and link it back to their Club Vistara account for the points to be transferred? Or will the transition be automatic?
If customers have to create a new account on Air India's Flying Returns and link it back to their Club Vistara account for the points to be transferred, what is the deadline for customers to do the same?
All customers with a Flying Returns account are advised to link it with their Club Vistara accounts for a smooth transition. Link your Club Vistara and Flying Returns accounts before November 11.
In case they do not have a Flying Returns account or the details of their two accounts do not match with each other at the time of migration, a new Flying Returns account will be created transferring their CV Points, Tier Points and Vouchers (if any) to this new account.
The Flying Returns programme necessitates that each account has a unique phone number and email address. If duplicate contact details are detected across multiple accounts at the time of migration, or if customers have end up with multiple accounts, they will have the option to merge these redundant accounts into their primary account.
What will happen to retro claim for travel with partner airlines?
Retro claims will not be accepted after September 30, 2024. Please ensure you provide your Club Vistara ID at the time of booking or check-in to avoid missing out on points.
Note for Club Vistara Platinum and Gold Members: Club Vistara Platinum and Gold members will not be eligible for KrisFlyer Gold benefits on Singapore Airlines flights after September 30, 2024.
What will happen to Vistara's other partnerships?
Club Vistara discontinued partnerships with its health and wellness partners, stay partners*, car rental partners, retail and lifestyle partners, travel services partners, and Club ITC (Points Transfer Partner) on August 30, 2024. Vistara Getaways, powered by Thomas Cook, was also discontinued on August 30, 2024.
As a result, CV points will only be awarded for bookings made for services to be rendered by August 30, 2024. Bookings made before this date but with service completion after August 30, 2024 will not be eligible to earn CV Points.
Booking.com alone will continue to be a Club Vistara Stay Partner till October 31, 2024. Club Vistara members will be able to earn CV Points with Booking.com for bookings made and services rendered by October 31, 2024.
How can customers link their Club Vistara and Flying Returns Frequent Flyer Programme?
Process to link accounts
Step 1: Login to your Club Vistara account.
Step 2: Under "My Account," click "Link Accounts"
Step 3: Enter your 9-digit Flying Returns Membership ID and submit.
If your Club Vistara account isn't linked to a Flying Returns account by the time of merger, what will happen?
In case the details in the five fields in your existing Flying Returns account match with the details in your Club Vistara account, the two accounts will be merged for a unified experience. Accounts created by parents/guardians for their children/ward will also be merged as per the process described.
For accounts where the details in one or more of the fields do not match, a new Flying Returns account will be created transferring your CV Points, Tier Points and Vouchers (if any) to this new account. Similarly, new accounts will be created for children/wards and their parents/guardians will be able to access the accounts as per programme policy.
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