easyJet launches status match that touches us very closely: in the crosshairs of disgruntled Miles & More and Volare
British low-cost easyJet Launches another status match, following the one that a few weeks ago 'targeted' the [...]
easyJet
NAP
Italy
British low-cost carrier easyJet Launches Another Status Match, after The one who a few weeks ago had 'targeted' passengers with British Airways status, likely unhappy with the (penalizing) changes made to the Executive Club program.
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And this time the status match touches us very closely, because the target are Frequent Traveller, Senator and HON Circle members of Miles & More and Plus and Executive members of Volare, the loyalty program of ITA Airways.
In British's case, easyJet had called the initiative 'No more tiers' (which in English sounds like 'no more tears'), perculating the levels ('tiers') of BA's loyalty program.
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You could get up to 600€ compensation per person
This time, the program is called 'Smiles and More', with an 's' turning 'Miles' into 'Smiles,' that is, 'miles' into 'smiles' after the tears shed by Miles & More frequent flyers upon learning of the (again, pejorative) news of LH's loyalty program and the German group airlines.
With 'Smiles and more', passengers with M&M and Volare program status can sign up for easyJet Plus for one year with 50% discount, that is, spending 145 euros instead of 289 euros. EasyJet Plus Is not a true loyalty program in the sense that does not allow the accumulation of miles. It does, however, entitle you to all or most of the benefits of being a member with status in a true loyalty program.
Specifically:
- gives access to the Fast Track at 46 airports, including Linate and Naples but especially at Malpensa Terminal 2, Where you can't use the American Express FT.
- allows the free seat selection on board, including those in the front row or at emergency exits that provide more legroom and can cost up to forty euros each way
- Allows you to take one carry-on bag free of charge grandAnd, and not just the small one that goes under the seat in front
- Allows you to ask for a refund of the price difference In the form of an easyJet voucher if, after booking, the price of the flight drops
- Allows a free change for an early return flight (after completing the outbound one and subject to availability)
- entitles you to priority boarding (which easyJet calls 'Speedy boarding'). And access to 'fast bag drop' counters. at selected airports
- allows you to get a discount of 10% on the prices of products in the on-board bistro.
In short, as explained by the Country Manager for Italy, Lorenzo Lagorio, on the occasion of the ceremony of opening of easyJet's new base in Milan Linate, "easyJet Plus is a product with great content and that undoubtedly benefits those who fly often, including from an economic point of view."
Next year, the low-cost carrier will celebrate 20 years since opening its first base in Italy, at Malpensa in 2006 (where it had actually been operating since 1998). After the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the based at Linate, with five aircraft and a total of 22 destinations all in Europe, Milan establishes itself (with 98 total routes) even more as the British low-cost carrier's second 'home' after London. And easyJet further magnifies its role as the top airline in the Milan airport system, coming to operate 18% of all flights departing and arriving at Linate and Malpensa (i.e., almost one in five).
At the Italian level, after the opening of the new base at Rome Fiumicino, 'celebrated' the day before the one at Linate, the company has as many as 38 planes based in our country for Summer 2025, of which 22 at Malpensa, 8 at Naples, 5 at Linate and 3 at Fiumicino. And it employs more than 1,600 flight crews and staff.
