Vistara-Air India Merger: How will it impact passengers with loyalty points, membership

Vistara will operate its final flight on Monday, November 11, marking its official exit from the skies.

From Tuesday, November 12, all Vistara flights will be fully integrated into Air India, operating under the Air India brand.

Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, will merge with Air India, which is also owned by Tata Group. This merger comes after Tata Group acquired Air India in 2022. Following the merger, Singapore Airlines will reduce its stake in the combined entity to 25.1%, down from 49% in Vistara.

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To ensure a smooth transition, customers contacting Vistara's call centre will be automatically redirected to Air India representatives.

With the merger, many travellers are wondering how their loyalty points, membership statuses, and rewards will be affected.

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What is the last date for earning CV points?

November 11, 2024, is the final day for earning and redeeming Club Vistara (CV) Points on Vistara flights. After this date, all points and benefits will transfer to Air India’s Flying Returns programme at a 1:1 ratio, CNBC TV18 reported.

If you already have a Flying Returns account, the migration will be seamless. If not, a new Flying Returns account will be created with the same details as your Club Vistara account.

A Vistara aircraft prepares for landing at the Trivandrum International Airport, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. PTI

What about credit cardholders?

Vistara credit cardholders can continue to enjoy their existing benefits, such as One Class Upgrade Vouchers and Complimentary Ticket Vouchers, until March 31, 2026. These benefits will be transferred to Flying Returns accounts on November 12, 2024.

After the merger, cardholders will start earning Flying Returns Points instead of CV Points. The total CV Points will be converted to Flying Returns Points at a 1:1 ratio, maintaining the same validity.

Cardholders will also gain access to over 20 airline partners through Star Alliance, significantly expanding from the five airlines available under Club Vistara.

What happens to Club Vistara tier status?

Your Club Vistara tier status will be valid for another year following the merger, allowing you to continue enjoying benefits such as lounge access and priority check-ins until at least March 2025.

Vistara co-branded credit cards

After March 31, 2025, renewals for Vistara co-branded credit cards will be discontinued. However, cardholders will continue receiving their benefits for the remaining duration of their current 12-month membership.

Notably, no new Vistara credit cards have been issued since September 30, 2024.

Starting November 12, 2024, co-branded cardholders will also receive additional complimentary ticket vouchers and One Class Upgrade Vouchers, alongside their existing benefits.

The six affected co-branded Vistara credit cards are: Club Vistara SBI Card, Axis Vistara Infinite Card, Axis Vistara Signature Card, Axis Vistara Card, Club Vistara IDFC FIRST Credit Card, Club Vistara IndusInd Bank Explorer Credit Card, according to CNBC TV18.

A statement on Vistara's website read, “As programme benefits will continue until March 31, 2026, annual card membership renewals, where applicable, will cease after March 31, 2025. This ensures the continuation of features and benefits throughout the 12-month membership period. Please note that the last date for annual card renewal may vary based on the issuing partners’ internal policies, but it will not extend beyond March 31, 2025.”

Vistara miles’ transfer to Air India’s Flying Returns

Starting January 1, 2025, all Vistara miles will be transferred to Air India’s Flying Returns programme. All the members will maintain their existing loyalty status with Air India, although specific details regarding the transfer or conversion of points into Air India’s programme are still being finalised.

For updates, it is crucial to stay informed about the integration process and monitor communications from Air India regarding the transfer of your Club Vistara miles. Be sure to handle flight bookings, loyalty points, and credit card benefits before their respective deadlines.

If you have any questions regarding bookings, memberships, or credit card benefits, it's advisable to contact Air India’s customer support or visit the official website for the latest information.

The Vistara-Air India merger

Notably, Vistara’s routes, schedules, and in-flight experience, including products and services, will remain unchanged, with the same crew serving on flights. To ease the transition, Air India has allocated additional resources at various touchpoints across India and partnered with airports. Support includes help desk kiosks at major airports to assist customers.

Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson with cabin and cockpit crews poses with the Airbus’s wide-body A350-900 aircraft upon its touchdown at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, in New Delhi, Dec. 23, 2023. PTI/File Photo

Further, customer service staff, identifiable by "How may I assist you?" Air India x Vistara-branded T-shirts, will guide customers with old Vistara tickets to help desks or Air India support staff.

Vistara’s airport ticketing offices and check-in terminals will gradually transition to Air India, with advisory notices displayed at self-service kiosks to guide passengers to check in under the Air India code (AI2) starting November 12.

Over the past few months, Air India has migrated 270,000 Vistara customers to its system and informed them of the changes. Notably, more than 4.5 million Vistara loyalty programme members are now being merged into Air India’s loyalty programme.

With the merger, Air India will offer customers improved connectivity, with access to over 90 domestic and international destinations, along with an additional 800 destinations through codeshare and interline partnerships.

With inputs from agencies