Lufthansa ITA Airways marriage, frequent flyers may be "only" footing the bill

Not a day goes by that I don't receive at least a dozen messages from Volare users Concerned about the future of their points.

Without considering the many discussions in our groups and in the New forum within the Training Center.

Many of these users are the same ones who, with the Alitalia's bankruptcy and the end of the Millemiglia program., they have found with a fistful of flies in their hands And there were those who even had attempted the class action route.

ITA Airways will soon celebrate its 4th birthday, the same age as Volare, although indeed the company's frequent flyer had only begun its real activities in the spring of 2022. Over these years, the Volare team has created, despite difficulties and uncertainties, a loyalty program from scratch (or almost), culminating in the past few months in Release the long-awaited prize ticket, an almost titanic feat.

However, now the end is marked: on 12/31/2025 it will be game over.

I don't say it, he says it the program regulations Because, as I have explained so many times, Loyalty programs in Italy are considered as prize games and thus regulations, prizes and validity are subject to a procedure on par with the Italian Lottery.

The feeling is that we are being "inspired" by the same strategy adopted by ITA towards Alitalia, but at that time there was the sword of Damocles of Europe, which imposed not to "touch" Millemiglia and then, in the most classic Italian Job, made the law found the deception, a series of Status Matches were made to take home the users, while the points-that is, the debt-remained in the hands of the Millemiglia members.

The status match

At this time the second status match campaign by Miles&More is underway, the German group's loyalty program, toward Volare members. Objective: Ferry those with status today to the other side of the border, or Moving members without causing them to lose their level, benefits, and special treatment.

Thus, users today who hold an elite card Will also be "special" after New Year's, always waiting for ITA flights to also be counted by Star Alliance partners by spring 2026. On the other hand, however, several open questions remain.

The points issue is very difficult to unravel

These days at TTG, I tried to "extort" information from all the ITA representatives around the booth and beyond, and From all of them I received the same response, "We will comply with what is in the regulations."

The point is just this: the regulations call for the end of collection on Dec. 31, and unless extended, points must be strictly used by January 31, 2026.

The issue of points is the basis of loyalty programs, but in Italy things are never easy, especially when points are worth money and therefore represent a debt that the company has written in black and white in the budget. Moving them to Miles&More could be seen as a less than "clear" financial operation, and here the skein becomes even more complicated to unravel.

The confirmation came from CEO Eberhart himself: "To define several issues on Volare and Miles&More we will need early 2026.". A statement that also potentially leaves open the possibility of an extension of the program until at least April 2026, When the maximum duration according to Italian law is reached.

American Express co-branded credit cards.

As of today, credit cards issued by American Express are still available for application. for the Italian market, cards that bring money into Volare's house, but also generate obligations to the holders.

And also in this case many users will have the feeling of being in a déjà-vu, since it was the same situation that came about when Millemiglia ceased to exist and holders of Alitalia co-branded cards. found themselves without the benefits provided by the charter they had signed.

Adding complexity is the (Almost) exclusive relationship between Miles&More and Mastercard in all of its domestic markets and existing contracts that provide ITA with an exclusive deal with American Express.

Where to accredit ITA flights

The other question I get all the time from my community is: "Where do you recommend I credit the flights I will be taking in the next few months?". My answer, compared to the one I gave at the beginning of the year, has changed.

Today I no longer feel like recommending that the Volare card be included, precisely because there is too much uncertainty about the future of the points.

Unless you have a need to level up. - and in this case I mean to become Plus or Premium, since Executive is equalized in Miles&More at the previous level - my advice is to include without ifs and buts the Miles&More card: at least the points will end up in the program that will take Volare's place, and there will be no need to worry about the December 31 deadline.

And so, what happens to the Flying points

The writer has a nest egg of just over 700,000 points. And so I am sincerely very interested in the future of this treasure of mine built by trusting ITA and also using the Platinum card issued by American Express.

Of course, if I were in a "lost for lost" situation, I would use them by turning them into a ticket in cash&miles mode, worth about 3,500 euros, since the conversion rate is 1,000 Flying points = €5.

The hope, however, is that a solution will eventually be found.and legally and financially sound, but most importantly that not be yet another betrayal of trust in Italian frequent flyers, the second in less than five years.

In conclusion

Time is almost running out, and ITA Airways and Lufthansa, among many other complexities, have to deal with this delicate situation, because it goes without saying that loyalty programs are Very important sources of income for companies.

What if as ITA's last act, or Lufthansa's first, there was a Kick in the teeth to the most valuable customers, could be a push to look elsewhere-and Air France-KLM, Turkish Airlines or the Avios family are already ready to take the cash.

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