News

newsroom.lufthansagroup.com

ITA Airways will retire Volare on March 30 and join Lufthansa’s Miles & More from April 1

ITA Airways will retire its Volare frequent‑flyer programme on March 30 and migrate members to the Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More from April 1. The move gives members access to 35 airline partners and 135+ non‑air partners; Miles & More counts about 39 million members.

2026-03-20T06:15:07.478426-07:00

Skift

Qatar and Etihad relax frequent‑flyer rules as Iran‑related airspace disruptions hit Gulf travel

2026-03-18T08:20:12.342818-07:00

Skift

Do loyalty‑member gains lower airlines’ customer acquisition costs?

2026-03-18T10:19:05.049554-07:00

Reuters

Co‑brand card revenue reshapes U.S. airline loyalty — American adds gift‑card redemptions

2026-03-13T03:34:29.004110-07:00

News Timeline

newsroom.lufthansagroup.com

❗️

ITA Airways will retire Volare on March 30 and join Lufthansa’s Miles & More from April 1 ITA Airways will retire its Volare frequent‑flyer programme on March 30 and migrate members to the Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More from April 1. The move gives members access to 35 airline partners and 135+ non‑air partners; Miles & More counts about 39 million members.

2026-03-20T06:15:07.478426-07:00

ITA Airways will retire Volare on March 30 and join Lufthansa’s Miles & More from April 1

Skift

Do loyalty‑member gains lower airlines’ customer acquisition costs? Airlines increasingly cite rising loyalty‑programme memberships as evidence of stronger engagement, yet the key question remains whether those gains actually reduce the marginal cost to acquire the next customer. This piece examines whether membership growth translates into measurable cuts in customer‑acquisition expense and better unit economics.

2026-03-18T10:19:05.049554-07:00

Do loyalty‑member gains lower airlines’ customer acquisition costs?

Skift

❗️

Qatar and Etihad relax frequent‑flyer rules as Iran‑related airspace disruptions hit Gulf travel Qatar Airways and Etihad have eased loyalty‑program requirements after Iran‑related airspace closures and widespread flight disruptions. Qatar’s Privilege Club extended status and offered relief for members affected by a roughly 20‑day operational suspension; Etihad Guest cut tier‑qualification thresholds by 25%.

2026-03-18T08:20:12.342818-07:00

Qatar and Etihad relax frequent‑flyer rules as Iran‑related airspace disruptions hit Gulf travel

AeroTime

Jetstar launches 'BidCash' upgrade bidding as Qantas curtails lounge access on international JQ flights from 1 July 2026 Jetstar has launched BidCash, enabling customers to bid for business-class upgrades on international services and plans to extend the program to Qantas Frequent Flyer members. Qantas will remove automatic Gold/Platinum and Qantas Club lounge access on international Jetstar (JQ) flights from 1 July 2026.

2026-03-18T03:40:42.174196-07:00

Jetstar launches 'BidCash' upgrade bidding as Qantas curtails lounge access on international JQ flights from 1 July 2026

Reuters

❗️

Co‑brand card revenue reshapes U.S. airline loyalty — American adds gift‑card redemptions Co‑branded credit‑card revenue is becoming a central profit driver for U.S. carriers, prompting loyalty‑program changes that favour cardholders and broaden non‑flight redemptions. American Airlines' move to let AAdvantage members redeem miles for major‑brand gift cards underscores how carriers are monetizing loyalty beyond air travel.

2026-03-13T03:34:29.004110-07:00

Co‑brand card revenue reshapes U.S. airline loyalty — American adds gift‑card redemptions

CNBC

❗️

United revamps MileagePlus to favour co‑brand cardholders — up to 40% cuts for non‑cardholders United Airlines is reshaping MileagePlus to favour co‑branded cardholders and elites, boosting accruals for cardholders while cutting mileage earning for non‑cardholders by up to 40%. It also raises award prices and tightens basic‑economy earning, accelerating a push toward a more card‑centric revenue model.

2026-02-19T04:54:30.884895-08:00

United revamps MileagePlus to favour co‑brand cardholders — up to 40% cuts for non‑cardholders

CNBC

United revamps MileagePlus to favor co‑brand cardholders; TravelBank changes hit AmEx credits United is overhauling MileagePlus to prioritize co‑brand credit‑card holders, trimming rewards and earning for members who don't carry the airline card. Concurrent changes to United TravelBank may cause some TravelBank purchases to stop qualifying for American Express airline‑fee statement credits, reducing value for certain premium‑card users.

2026-02-19T04:50:57.322459-08:00

United revamps MileagePlus to favor co‑brand cardholders; TravelBank changes hit AmEx credits

Breitflyte

WestJet expands loyalty partnership with Virgin Atlantic to include LHR codeshares to UAE, Maldives and South Africa WestJet has expanded its loyalty partnership with Virgin Atlantic so WestJet Rewards members can now earn and redeem points on Virgin Atlantic codeshare flights via London Heathrow to the UAE, the Maldives and South Africa, extending long‑haul redemption options and transatlantic connectivity.

2026-02-17T08:44:42.689050-08:00

WestJet expands loyalty partnership with Virgin Atlantic to include LHR codeshares to UAE, Maldives and South Africa

Menu

Frequent-flyer programs News

ITA Airways will retire Volare on March 30 and join Lufthansa’s Miles & More from April 1

Qatar and Etihad relax frequent‑flyer rules as Iran‑related airspace disruptions hit Gulf travel

Do loyalty‑member gains lower airlines’ customer acquisition costs?

Co‑brand card revenue reshapes U.S. airline loyalty — American adds gift‑card redemptions

News Timeline