Benefits/weaknesses of Finnair Plus/Corporate Program
Hi all,
I'm working on my school project and basically the task is to compare different loyalty/corporate programs for business travellers.
I'm looking for answers on the subject: what are the clear benefits/weaknesses of Finnair Plus right now? What kind of solutions would get you to fly constantly on Finnair?
Is it only about the mile/point acquiring that makes you pick your airline, or is there something else? (quality of service etc.)
As you alll know, the competition is crazy at present, since the low-cost carriers are consuming a huge market share from the legacy carriers. It really comes down to the question: who has the best deals for a traveller? (a business traveller on this occasion).
Thank you so much in advance, I hope this sparks a bit of a conversation.
There have been a number of similar questions here already, maybe you should try the search function.
But from my personal point of view, the AY Plus program is like this:
The good part:
- Any fare class is upgradeable with points, European upgrades are actually very reasonably priced and availability is very good.
- I've found award availability on AY metal to be very good as well. OW metal is hit and miss.
- It shows the sad state of the FFPs nowadays, but being awarded 50% on el cheapo fares can actually be thought as a good point, when compared to 25% from SK and BA (any others?)
- Lounge access with lowly Silver status.
The bad part:
- Too few mileage promotions, for both spending and especially earning.
- When qualifying on segments domestic segments do not count - together with the limited domestic mileage earnings makes it almost impossible to achieve status by pure domestic flying.
- Award redemption levels are a bit high - both AY and OW/partner ones. Compare to AA redemption levels to see what I mean.
- Fuel surcharges levied on award tickets.
The ugly part:
- It's been two years since the IT systems overhaul and even today posting points still takes a week (like clockwork). That is ridiculous - most FFPs post miles at least on their home metal in 24-48 hours.
- The new "pay part of any fare with points" feature is a bad joke. That is the worst value for points I've ever seen.
My travel patterns are vastly different to some of the frequent posters here (no long-haul, no paid business etc.) so you will find some very different opinions as well, I'm sure.
As for myself, putting more business towards AY actually has nothing to do with the FFP program as such (even though awarding 100% for el cheapo fares again would be a good step), it's the AY fares that I find not very competitive at the moment, especially the recent disappearance of discounted one-way fares. Even the weekly special offers are much more expensive than a couple of years ago and not very interesting.
PS. Welcome to FT, hope you stick around after your study is completed!
Programs: PC Platinum, IC Royal Ambassador, BMI Gold, Hyatt Platinum, Delta, United
Posts: 439
I like Finnair's safety record, clean planes, good legroom, English skills of flight attendants, Helsinki airport and that's why I keep flying Finnair, even if the price is mostly more expensive than Air Baltic has.
I guess there's lots of relatively easy topics people at Finnair could look into, making their product more competitive.
Being a student, I don't fly that much so there's lots to learn about the aviation industry, fascinating stuff.
I was wondering the thing with alliances. Alliances seem to be the legacy carriers' response to low-cost airlines. I believe OW has really helped Finnair economically. How easily does OW:s own program with emerald, sapphire and ruby status stack with all of its members' programs?
EDIT. sorry for not using the search thingy, my bad.
Programs: LH SEN, AY Gold, PC Plat Amb, HH Silver, Marriott Silver
Posts: 949
The corporate programme seems quite useless/worthless - a few % discount if your co flies a lot in full-fare Y or C. I don't think it's even worth bothering with, at least for SME's. If your co. is in the Nokia league, things might be different.
As for the FFP, one of my favourite bits used to be that you can gain status with the number of legs flown, no matter which class. Getting silver is easy this way. Getting gold is easier by flown mileage if sometimes travelling in 100%/200% earning long-haul fares.
The corporate programme seems quite useless/worthless - a few % discount if your co flies a lot in full-fare Y or C. I don't think it's even worth bothering with, at least for SME's. If your co. is in the Nokia league, things might be different.
It's funny, since the Corporate Program is after all targeted for specially SME's
I see you are an LH member(?). Is there some clear advantages in the LH program over the Finnairs one?
Programs: LH SEN, AY Gold, PC Plat Amb, HH Silver, Marriott Silver
Posts: 949
Quote:
Originally Posted by Curious223
It's funny, since the Corporate Program is after all targeted for specially SME's
I see you are an LH member(?). Is there some clear advantages in the LH program over the Finnairs one?
Yes, you get miles for flights on *A carriers!
LH M&M vs AY+? Well, that would lead to looong discussions and comparisons. LH has better redemption (think of taxes of reward flights paid by miles, my favourite), their shopping options are way ahead of AY's (but still very expensive, so who cares) Requalifying for LH SEN is easier than for AY Gold. You can qualify for AY by number of legs flown, no matter which class.
Op-ups never happened to me on either AY nor LH (but yes on MA as AY Gold). On gold qualification you get 2 upg vouchers on LH (2 Eur and can be combined into one IC) 8 upg vouchers on AY (only Eur) LH's never expire, AY's mus be used while having Gold status.
If your flying pattern allows you status in one carrier/alliance, than it's a tough one ex-HEL. OW is the obvious choice, HEL is the home ap for AY, with lounge access for silvers, too. Still you can get to most everywhere intra-Europe on *A (SK, KF, LO, OS, LH) so again it's either/or. (SK's Eurobonus would be in theory an option, too, but that FFP is going down fast)
Programs: LH SEN, AY Gold, PC Plat Amb, HH Silver, Marriott Silver
Posts: 949
Quote:
Originally Posted by Curious223
It's funny, since the Corporate Program is after all targeted for specially SME's
Ironic, isn't? Who the heck is buying full fare eco tix anyway? Usually you get to fly in C for that money.
LH's PartnerPlus Benefit is getting its fair share of bashing over there, but I think it actually provides some benefits for those points (LX's new F is sooo nice ) SK/KF has something that I haven't really looked into, but it seems as a straight cashback scheme.
