Are you an ITA or Lufthansa frequent flyer? Here's why it's time to apply for ITA Airways Platinum American Express Card
This is it the road to ITA Airways' final entry into the Lufthansa Group galaxy is mapped out, during the [...]
ITA Airways
Here we go the way of theITA Airways' final entry into the Lufthansa Group galaxy is plotted, during the early part of 2025 the operational part will also begin, the part that then has the greatest impact on travelers.
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It is likely that with the summer schedule we will already see some changes, but it is from the winter 2025 season that we will see the real upheavals. From small things like changing the terminals at some airports, for example in Paris ITA will move to T1 where all Star Alliance carriers fly, to the reference hubs that will no longer be Paris, Amsterdam or T1 at JFK.
There is one big unknown, however, and that is the future of the Volare loyalty program net of the move to Star Alliance and the partnership with all carriers participating in the largest of aviation alliances: Will Volare be absorbed into Miles&More? What will happen to statuses, and most importantly, how will membership levels be equalized? There are many aspects that will have to be unraveled in the coming months.
Miles&More Vs Flying Differences
Apparently there are not many differences between the two programs, But appearances are often deceiving. There are 4 levels for M&M and 4 for Volare, with a difference as big as a house called the HON Circle. In the German program in fact above the entry level there are Frequent Traveller, Senator and precisely Hon Circle. In ITA on the other hand there is an intermediate level which is Plus, then there is Premium and Executive. There would also be limitless, but it was never made operational.
Thus making a comparison it is clear that Premium and Executive are "similar" to Senator, while the Smart is not comparable to the Frequent Traveller. There is therefore a glaring disparity that will have to be bridged, the privileges of Italian FFs are easier to achieve, net of the recent office renewals, and therefore more complicated to equalize if, and when, there is talk of merging programs, even at the alliance level.
Today with premium status you get Skyteam Elite+ which is equivalent to Gold Star Alliance, while with Frequent Traveller you are only Silver, so few real privileges when flying Star Alliance.
So I foresee a "tear and blood" operation for the Elite users of Volare, without considering that in ITA there are thousands of "forever" statuses that in the Miles&More world was not introduced until the revamp of the program during 2024., and that it is 100 times more complex to achieve than with Alitalia before and ITA now.
Why the ITA Airways Platinum American Express card could be critical for a FF
In this scenario Apply for the ITA Airways Platinum American Express Card today. could be an excellent strategy, at least for those who want to ensure the least traumatic transition possible. It is a foregone conclusion that at the end of 2025 there will be no more parachutes or ex officio renewals; indeed, it is likely that the thinning out of deadwood will lead to a tightening of the rules of what will be the new program.
There is nothing illegal about exploiting the regulations of the Volare loyalty program e Become a Cardholder at this time of the ITA Airways Platinum American Express Card. would guarantee the new subscriber to obtain the premium level until January 2027, two full years of privileges, but more importantly to guarantee all the benefits for what will be 2026 as well, i.e., the first "post-merger" year without major trauma. Also because Miles&More has the same philosophy: when you get an elite level it lasts for the remaining part of the year, plus a full year following the year in which it was obtained. Simply put: I get the premium level, included in the ITA Airways Platinum Card in February 2025, I will be Premium (or equivalent) until January 31, 2027.
An easy bonus to achieve
At this time then, who who applies for the ITA AIrways Platinum American Express Credit Card has the chance to get a welcome bonus of 100 thousand Volare points, in addition to all the other benefits included in the Card, simply by spending 1,000 euros on ITA tickets within 3 months of issuance.
Do you fly Lufthansa often, but you're not a senator? Here's your chance
Becoming a senator and being Gold Star Alliance is not an easy thing, serve a lot of flights every year and half on LH rail, which is why especially after the renewal of the rules many have lost access to this level, here again possess this card in one's wallet will open its lounge doors once the alliance move is made official. This is no small thing because in Germany and the group's other domestic markets, no credit card guarantees access to the status. That doesn't happen in Italy with the Mastercard Gold Miles&More issued by Advanzia, and the only Credit Card that allows you to earn miles with your daily spending nor in Austria, Switzerland or Belgium.
During 2025 there will be a move, but probably before it is sanctioned, there could be a partnership agreement between the two programs, a way to provide a buffer period to users and avoid the occurrence of problems as happened with the move in the opposite direction of SAS and also to avoid penalties, exiting an alliance is never painless.
In conclusion
Of course the card has a significant monthly cost, but if you fly a lot without flying enough to get the status, or you want to start right away with the status in your pocket, this is a good time to become a Holder.
