As the merger between Vistara and Air India approaches, frequent flyers have a unique opportunity to maximize their rewards. Vistara’s loyalty program, Club Vistara, will soon be integrated into Air India’s Flying Returns program, with points being transferred at a 1:1 ratio. However, before this transition is complete, there are strategic advantages to using Vistara points for flight bookings.
Why Book with Vistara Points Now?
Currently, redeeming Vistara points can be more economical than using Air India’s Flying Returns miles, especially on certain routes. For example, flights from Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) or Mumbai to Doha (DOH) require fewer points when booked through Vistara compared to Air India
Vistara offers three distinct classes—Economy, Premium Economy, and Business—providing flexibility in how you use your points. In contrast, Air India will have a distinction within the Economy class, offering Economy and Economy Prime. While both offer the same level of service, Economy Prime demands more miles, especially for last-minute bookings, without providing a different class of service.
Air India tends to charge more points for Economy Prime and closer booking dates, making early bookings with Vistara points a more cost-effective choice.
Understanding the Merger Impact
The merger is expected to be completed by November 12, 2024, with all Vistara flights being redirected to Air India’s booking platform starting September 3, 2024. During this transition, Vistara’s points and tier status will be transferred to Air India’s program, ensuring that members retain or potentially upgrade their tier status based on cumulative points.
Using Our Comparison Tool
To help you navigate this transition, we’ve developed a tool that compares the points required for flights on both Vistara and Air India. By entering your source city, you can identify the best routes for redeeming your points before the merger. This tool includes all Vistara routes and classes, as well as Air India’s Economy and Economy Prime options.
Conclusion
With the merger on the horizon, now is the time to strategically use your Vistara points. By booking flights before the integration, you can take advantage of lower point requirements and enjoy the benefits of Vistara’s flexible class options. Use our comparison tool to find your sweet spot and make the most of your loyalty rewards.For more information and to access the comparison tool, visit our website .By planning ahead, you can ensure that your travel rewards provide the greatest value during this transition period.
The aviation landscape in India is undergoing a significant transformation with the impending merger of Air India and Vistara. This merger, set to be completed by the end of 2024, aims to create a stronger competitor to Indigo by combining the strengths of both airlines. A crucial aspect of this merger is the integration of their loyalty programs—Club Vistara and Air India Flying Returns. To ensure a smooth transition, frequent flyers now need to link their accounts.
Linking Your Accounts
To facilitate the transition, Vistara has introduced a process for linking your Club Vistara and Air India Flying Returns accounts. In case you don’t have a Flying Returns Account, create now & earn 1000 points. Here are the steps to link your accounts:
Access your Club Vistara account by logging in with your credentials
Navigate to the ‘My Account’ section and select ‘Link Accounts
Enter your 9-digit Flying Returns Membership ID and click ‘Submit’ to initiate the linking process.
Did you know you can long press and copy your number from Magnify App.
If these details match, you will receive a confirmation message and an email acknowledgment.
Criteria for Linking Accounts
To successfully link the accounts, ensure that the following details are an exact match in both accounts:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Date of Birth
- Email Address
- Phone Number
If any of these fields do not match, a new Flying Returns account will be created for your action.
Frequently Asked Questions about Air India Vistara Merger
If any of the key details don’t match between your accounts, you’ll need to update the specific fields in either your Club Vistara or Flying Returns account. After making the updates, resubmit your Flying Returns Membership ID using the steps provided.
If the details in the five fields of the current Flying Returns account match those in the Club Vistara account, Air India will merge the two accounts for a unified experience. If there are discrepancies, Air India will create a new Flying Returns account and transfer the CV Points, Tier Points, and Vouchers to the new account.
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 based on cumulative points. The CV Points balance and Tier Points available in your account will be transferred to the Flying Returns program at a 1:1 ratio.
Once your accounts are successfully linked, you will receive a confirmation message on the website and an email acknowledgment. You can also check the status by logging into your Club Vistara account.
No, once the accounts are linked, they cannot be unlinked. The linking process is a one-time activity to ensure a seamless transition of your loyalty points and benefits.
Conclusion
By linking your Club Vistara and Air India Flying Returns accounts, you can ensure a seamless transition of your reward points and continue to enjoy the benefits of both programs. While the exact timelines for when points and vouchers will be transferred are not yet known, stay tuned for updates. We will keep you informed as more details become available