Vistara airlines has announced the merger of their loyalty program, Club Vistara, with Air India’s Flying Returns. Both programs have four tiers of membership with different benefits. Members’ tier status will be based on their cumulative points in both programs, ensuring that they maintain or upgrade their current status. Points accrued from Club Vistara will be transferred to Flying Returns at a 1:1 ratio, with points remaining valid for at least one year after migration. The airline also assured customers that all future bookings with Vistara will be transferred to the new program, and award vouchers for complimentary flight tickets and upgrades will retain their validity.
The details regarding the impact of the merger on co-brand credit cards offered by Vistara in partnership with various banks have not yet been shared by the airline. Loyalty program members have the option to opt-out of the merger within 21 days, but doing so will result in the loss of points, benefits, and vouchers associated with Club Vistara. Vistara has not disclosed the exact date of migration but assured that it would be communicated to customers in the coming months. The merging of loyalty programs will happen automatically for those who choose not to opt-out.
The Tata group, which owns Vistara, anticipates that the merger with Air India will be completed by the end of 2024, ahead of the previously set deadline of mid-2025. This development was shared during a recent townhall meeting held by the CEOs of both airlines, where they informed more than 7,000 employees that their roles and responsibilities would be clarified by the end of June. The organizational structure of the combined airline has also been finalized, indicating significant progress in the merger process.
Vistara’s focus on service quality over the past nine years has cultivated a loyal customer base, and the airline’s transparency regarding the impact of the merger on their loyalty program displays a commitment to customer satisfaction. By providing details on tier status, points balance, future bookings, and award vouchers, Vistara aims to ease the transition for members during the merging process. The merger of loyalty programs with Air India’s Flying Returns offers Vistara customers the opportunity to access a broader range of benefits and rewards within a larger airline network.
As Vistara and Air India move forward with their merger, the integration of loyalty programs serves as a crucial step in aligning their services and offerings. By merging Club Vistara with Flying Returns, both airlines aim to enhance the overall customer experience and provide a seamless transition for members. The completion of the merger by the end of 2024 reflects the Tata group’s ambitious timeline for consolidating the two airlines. With the organizational structure finalized and roles clarified for employees, the merger between Vistara and Air India is poised to create a stronger and more competitive entity in the Indian aviation industry.
