The much-anticipated merger between Air India and Vistara, set to take place on November 12, 2024, will see more than just the airlines coming together. Vistara’s loyalty programme, Club Vistara, is also merging with Air India’s frequent flyer programme, Flying Returns. This integration will create a revamped loyalty programme named the Maharaja Club, paying homage to Air India’s long-standing mascot.
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Migration to the New Maharaja Club
As part of the merger, all members of Club Vistara are being automatically transferred to the new Maharaja Club. Air India reports that over 4.5 million members have been successfully migrated to their digital systems. Existing accounts from Club Vistara and Flying Returns can be linked, ensuring members retain their points and status. If a member holds accounts in both programmes, their accounts will merge seamlessly, provided the details match. For unmatched information, a new Flying Returns account will be created, and points will be transferred there. If members didn’t link accounts previously, Air India will merge them if the information aligns.
Transferring Points, Vouchers, and Tier Status
One key benefit of this merger is that Club Vistara points will transfer directly to Flying Returns in a 1:1 ratio, meaning members retain their full points balance. Air India has promised that transferred points will remain valid for at least one year from the migration date, even if they were set to expire sooner. This makes it easier for frequent travelers to enjoy continuity in their rewards. Unused vouchers from Club Vistara will also move to Flying Returns accounts, where members can redeem them on Air India’s wider network. For members’ tier status, it will now depend on the combined points from both loyalty programmes, allowing for potential upgrades based on total points accumulated.
Co-Branded Credit Cards: Future Uncertainty
Air India and Vistara both offer co-branded credit cards for their loyalty members. Following the merger, however, new Vistara co-branded cards were discontinued as of September 30, 2024. Current members will continue to enjoy their card benefits until March 31, 2026, with no further annual renewals after March 2025. This means cardholders will have limited time to use their benefits before the programme’s benefits are fully integrated under Air India.
Ending Partnerships with Other Airlines
To facilitate the merger, Vistara has begun phasing out partnerships with major airlines, including Japan Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines. By early November 2024, these partnerships will no longer allow members to earn or redeem Club Vistara points for new bookings. Existing bookings remain valid, except for those with Japan Airlines, which will be canceled, with full refunds and point returns provided to members. Following the merger, members of the new Maharaja Club will have access to a wider range of airline partners through the Star Alliance, a global network of 24 airlines. This is a positive development, offering broader opportunities for earning and redeeming points across the Star Alliance network.
My Opinion on the Merger
This merger brings significant benefits to frequent travelers in terms of point continuity, greater airline partnerships, and better redemption options. However, the phase-out of Vistara’s airline partnerships may cause inconvenience for members who relied on specific partners. The integration of two loyalty systems may be complex initially, especially for members with discrepancies in their account details. But, with clear communication, this can be effectively managed.
Conclusion
The Air India-Vistara merger, alongside the creation of the Maharaja Club, marks a new era in Indian aviation loyalty programmes. It simplifies and strengthens loyalty benefits, particularly through enhanced Star Alliance access. While there may be adjustments and limitations during the transition, the merger is poised to offer Air India and Vistara flyers more comprehensive and global loyalty benefits. For frequent travelers, this is likely a step toward a more rewarding experience.
