The Indian aviation sector is poised for a significant transformation on November 11, as the Tata Group’s airline, Vistara, will cease its operations as a standalone airline. Following its merger with Air India, all Vistara flights will now operate under the Air India brand. This transition raises an important question for customers: What will happen to their loyalty program, Club Vistara, and the reward points associated with it? In this article, we delve into the details of this change and what customers can expect moving forward.
Vistara and Air India Merger: An Overview
The merger announcement between Air India and Vistara was made back in 2022. However, implementing this merger has taken a considerable amount of time due to the extensive integration across various levels of both airlines. Post-merger, Vistara flights will no longer operate separately but will be managed under the Air India umbrella, streamlining operations and service offerings.
What Will Happen to Club Vistara?
With Vistara ceasing its brand operations, all services connected to the Vistara name, including the loyalty program Club Vistara, will also come to an end. However, the benefits offered through Club Vistara will be integrated into the Air India Flying Returns program. Until this integration is completed, Club Vistara will continue to function normally.
Timeline for Changes
Customers will be able to continue booking flights using their Club Vistara points until November 11. However, from September 3, when they attempt to make a booking, they will be redirected to the Air India website to manage their flight reservations, as Air India will be the operating carrier. Here’s what customers need to know about their reward points:
How Will Your Reward Points Work?
- Customers will have the option to opt-out of the integration of Club Vistara and Air India Flying Returns, but doing so will limit their benefits until the integration is fully established.
- Customers will be granted the opportunity to revise their tier status based on their combined points. They will also have the choice to retain their existing tier status if they prefer.
- All remaining Club Vistara points will transfer at a 1:1 ratio, meaning that each Club Vistara point will convert to one Air India Flying Returns point. However, these points will only remain valid for one year following the merger.
- Any bookings made using Club Vistara points will be transferred seamlessly to the Flying Returns program, and customers will receive updates on their flight details.
- Your current free ticket vouchers will also be transitioned to the Air India Flying Returns program.
Conclusion
The merger of Air India and Vistara heralds a new era in Indian aviation, promising improved services and streamlining operations. While the dissolution of Club Vistara may seem concerning for loyal customers, the seamless integration of benefits into the Air India Flying Returns program aims to provide continued value. Customers are encouraged to stay informed of the changes and utilize their points wisely before the merger takes full effect.
