Finnair is joining the IAG family and will renew its Finnair Plus loyalty program by introducing Avios as its new loyalty currency in early 2024.

The program will feature new milestone benefits to enable members to receive extra rewards, such as additional upgrade benefits, when reaching certain point limits within their existing tier. And as an extra incentive to join the Finnair Plus program, its members will now also receive complimentary internet access for messaging as a new benefit on Finnair’s short-haul European flights operated with the narrow-body Airbus fleet, regardless of their tier status.

Finnair will also invest in new, more spacious lounge premises on the Schengen side of Helsinki Airport (HEL), Finnair’s home hub. 

The lounge will move to new premises in 2024 and feature a dedicated area for top-tier members while the current Schengen lounge will continue to serve customers until the new lounge opens. The Finnair Plus program, which has over four million members worldwide and was first launched in 1992, will also move to a new spend-based platform.  

“2024 marks the start of a new era with our loyalty program, with new benefits and improved options for our members to use their earned Avios – both within Finnair and IAG Loyalty’s partner network. The move to a spend-based program rewards customers directly for their spend, just like many retail loyalty programs do. These moves allow us to leverage the full potential of our loyalty program and make it attractive to a wider audience,” Ole Orvér, Finnair’s CCO, said.

As part of the changes, Finnair will also increase the number of award seats – the most popular award among members – and guarantee at least four award seats on Finnair flights within Europe and eight on Finnair long-haul flights.

“Finnair’s adoption of Avios is a recognition of the global significance of the currency, and the incredible value it has for members worldwide. We are excited to play a central role in Finnair’s new era for their loyalty program and for their members,” Adam Daniels, CEO of IAG Loyalty, said.

Finnair Plus award points will be converted to Avios with a 3:2 ratio, and the purchasing power of the current points remains unchanged. Avios prices are also updated with the same 3:2 ratio.   

Finnair said it will communicate the exact date for the changes to the members later this year.