Finnair Plus - 2012 AY-plus 20th anniversary

So next year is the 20th anniversary for the Finnair plus programme. And there is talk about anniversary promotions and a remake (again...) of the programme.

So are there any facts, rumours, inside info, hopes or fears for the coming year?

Let's hope so..but to be realistic they will only change it for the worse..that's pretty much a given fact.

Even double/triple points -type of celebration promo wouldn't change my patterns, AY redemption value is simply awful compared to almost any other (OW) program I'm aware of. Upgrade vouchers are a nice touch for Golds/Plats but simply not enough to compensate for the rest.

Just my 2 cents.

Only useful benefit with AY points is biz upgrade, but they devalue this recently as well.

The easy way to celebrate would be to throw a couple of "double-earn-promotions". I don't have anything against earning double, but I do hope for something more. The blue wings magazine said there was to be some remake.

Better redemption rates would be nice, but since that is at the heart of the programme, I dont think they will change that. Probably they will add something new to the programme.
A spouse gold card could be nice. An easy way of redeeming points at the spa ? Internet access at lounges, using the AY+card as account (instead of typing these silly one-time codes) would be a very handy perk.

Internet access at lounges, using the AY+card as account (instead of typing these silly one-time codes) would be a very handy perk.

"A perk" - really? :)

Should be common standard of 2011/2012..maybe a simple password shown around the lounges..the way BA do it..

Hehe, yes I have too low expectations calling it a perk :-)

I am surprised that all that quality hunting haven't identified this issue... An easy password would be nice start but I am looking for an worldwide account structure, so I can store the credentials in my devices and aoutologon at all OW lounges.

Only useful benefit with AY points is biz upgrade, but they devalue this recently as well.How?

How?

I guess the word "recently" refers to the last few years..

So there have been rumours (at least not officially confirmed) about lifetime tier status, which has its own thread here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finnair-plus/1298883-finnair-introduces-lifetime-memberships.html).

There seem to be a renewal of pre flight seat selection, with possible launch date of 16 feb (effectively for flights on/after 15 march). Only speculation about this, and it might even not be tied to AY+ programme renewal. My take on it however is that it is, and I am guessing it might involve a tiered system, so instead of first-come-first-serve, elite members may choose seats first. As we all know AY needs to make more money too, so it might also be pay extra for bulkhead/exit rows in Y cabin.

I would guess that there will be some kind of rprogramme renewal launch around feb 15.

Any other speculations or inside information out there?

Seat blocking next to emeralds would be the best anniversary gift they could give.

Seat blocking next to emeralds would be the best anniversary gift they could give.

They pretty much do it already, at least for ay emeralds, don't they? I try to avoid the back of the bus at all costs but that was my experience during the plat days when sitting in why..soon to be ba emerald so interesting to see if it changes..no experience from long haul ay coach in years..that's where it of course would be a really big benefit..

Finnair has sometimes blocked the next seat in european flights (that I seldom fly). Have notice that when the flight has been full and the only free seat has been next to me.

Finnair has stopped doing a lot of activities recently. Last time I was at the airport and talked about upgrading pax at the airport when coach full and space in business (discussed also in Flyertalk), they said not knowing who would do that at the moment because the department has been closed. Earlier, staff said, they really looked each potential candicates "qualifications" and upgraded those they though was most worth it, according to rules of cource.

They pretty much do it already, at least for ay emeralds, don't they? I try to avoid the back of the bus at all costs but that was my experience during the plat days when sitting in why..soon to be ba emerald so interesting to see if it changes..no experience from long haul ay coach in years..that's where it of course would be a really big benefit..

Yeah, I am not so sure they do it anymore either.
I have actually noticed that even though I choose so the seat next to me is empty close to take off, there will be someone seated there anyway, and other people in cabin may be seated alone. Surely there can be other plats than me, but I think Laajo has a point. It was an undocumented perk, but such routines may have gone out the window when some service staff is cut back and/or duties are moved around due to re-organisations.

Anyway, as they are planning changes for the pre-flight seating system, one can hope for this to be implemented there (so the seats are actually blocked there too, and only released if cabin is full). Then it would work without any manual routines carried out by operational staff.

In Y this would be lovely, and even in the front of the bus it is a nice perk. And it doesn't cost AY a dime...

How about eliminating fuel surcharges from award tickets? In the US, these are not practised as well as not by SAS, Finnair's closest competitor. Fuel surcharges are wrong anyway, and it seems that they will be made illegal in the US.

How about eliminating fuel surcharges from award tickets? In the US, these are not practised as well as not by SAS, Finnair's closest competitor. Fuel surcharges are wrong anyway, and it seems that they will be made illegal in the US.

Would be really nice but I don't quite believe it would happen.

There seems to be a draw every month for winners of AY+ points. Rules are simple, buy an AY-coded ticket and register before end of moth for a chance of winning 60 000 bonus points

http://www.finnair.com/Events/event.jsp?id=FPLUS20_en

(The amount of point may differ from market to market, because I saw other amounts of points aswell)