Volare qualifying points reset, ITA Airways renews status ex officio to all members
Have you opened the Volare app or checked your private area on the site? If yes you may have noticed [...]
ITA Airways
SkyTeam
Have you opened the Volare app or checked your private area on the site? If yes you must have noticed that in the night they were reset, as communicated, the qualifying points to all members of the Volare program.
In this article:
The Frequent Flyer of ITA Airways is approaching to blow out its second candle and continues in its development. Over the past year we have seen a lot of news, and over the next few months, according to some rumors, even more interesting news should be coming.
Flying points reset to zero
Like all loyalty programs, when the qualifying period expires, the points valid for status are reset to zero and simultaneously renew cards to those who have reached the goal. The qualifying period for Volare is fixed for all members Jan. 1-Dec. 31. Again this year, however, like last year, Volare left a small window period that allowed members to credit on the 2023 collection even flights made in the early days of 2024.
So like last year, the "gift" is worth double, since the qualifying points accumulated during these first 3 weeks are counted for both collection 23 and 24, let's call it a little unexpected Christmas present, but one that will surely have pleased those who, thanks to the flights of these days, managed to cross the status finish line.
As you can see in the image above, my card has the new expiration date and my account does not restart from zero, because I have points from a flight I took just after Epiphany. Similarly, points accumulated from spending through ITA/Amex credit cards from earlier in the year will not be lost. Now I'm curious to see whether ITA will continue in the tradition of sending the physical Executive card to frequent flyers' homes or will go 100% digital like (unfortunately) almost all the others.
Ex officio renewal of elite cards
The surprise, however, is ITA Airways' choice to renew status ex officio to all members, even to those who did not renew their membership during 2023. Just as last year Volare decides not to touch the elite level at all its enrolled. Given that the program originated in October 2021 with a Status Match series, to date there are potentially many members who have (almost) never set foot on a blue livery aircraft.
Certainly 2023 has been ITA Airways' year of frequent flyer growth, and this courtesy gesture from the loyalty program is probably the last call, as of this year those who do not fly ITA (or Skyteam) are destined to board last.
There is also a small consolation prize for those who had managed to renew/move up the ladder instead. FLYING. To all these frequent travelers ITA offers 10 thousand points (non-qualifying) if you make a flight by March 31, 2024.
Goal 2025
Each program has its own rules for collecting points, Miles & More has just launched the new mode of accumulation, Flying Blue changed the way rollover points are handled, Delta after controversy has partially backtracked On the new ways of obtaining status. In short, it will be a 2024 full of news for serial status accumulators.
In conclusion
As I have written several times, status should be pursued only if you travel a lot and in economy. Those who fly little Y or only business class should not hunt for status, much better to put in their pockets a American Express Platinum card that provides fast track access at many Italian airports and opens doors to thousands of lounges around the world, as well as the best travel insurance on the market.
