Jet Airways enhances loyalty programme rewards to take on competition

Jet Airways has tweaked its frequent flyer programme enabling customers to collect tier points and upgrade to a higher tiers based on value of ticket. 

This is third key change brought about by the airline as it faces competition from Vistara and Air India.

Earlier the tier upgrades for Jet Airways loyalty programme members were not linked to the ticket price and those purchasing higher fares earned same tier points as those who bought cheaper tickets.

The airline's loyalty programme has five tiers with members in the highest tier enjoying benefits such as waiver of certain fees, higher baggage allowances, lounge access and so on.

Jet Airways is offering till March 31 double and triple number of miles on the Vistara routes (Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Ahmedabad, Mumbai-Ahmedabad) for economy class and business class passengers. It has also made it easier for loyalty programme members to use miles for upgrading from economy to business class seats.

Also members of Jet frequent flyer programme's highest tier will now be able access lounge at airports along accompanied by a guest. This is a facility which Star Alliance airlines (Air India is a part of this group) give to their loyalty programme members.

On Monday Jet Airways said its new initiative allows loyalty programme members to retain their existing tier level more easily, as well as progress faster through tier levels, thanks to a new accelerated tier points accrual mechanism. As part of the enhancement, tier points will now be awarded on the distance and frequency of travel, as well as value of the ticket. 

The airlines will continue to award frequent flyer miles on the basis of distance travelled. Cramer Ball, Chief Executive Officer, Jet Airways said, "We have taken another step forward to deliver an outstanding loyalty and recognition experience for Jet Airways customers."

Vistara is first domestic airline to introduce value based loyalty programme where members earn points on the basis of ticket price. The airline is offering 500 bonus points to members who fly within a month of enrolment in the loyalty programme and double the points for flying in premium economy class.