Major Changes as Vistara Merges with Air India on November 12 – What Passengers Need to Know
Vistara Merges with Air India: The much-anticipated merger of Vistara with Air India is set for November 12, 2024, bringing significant changes for travelers. The integration, approved by the Indian government in August 2024, means Vistara flights will soon operate under Air India, with adjustments to flight bookings, loyalty programs, and credit card benefits.
New Flight Experience for Vistara Passengers Starting November 12, Vistara travelers will no longer book flights through the Vistara portal. Instead, all bookings for Vistara-operated flights will be available exclusively on Air India’s platform. This marks a transition as Vistara ceases standalone operations, aligning entirely under the Air India brand managed by the Tata Group.
Unified Loyalty Programs – Club Vistara and Flying Returns With the merger, Vistara’s Club Vistara and Air India’s Flying Returns loyalty programs will combine. For those with a Club Vistara account, all accumulated CV Points, Tier Status, and vouchers will transfer automatically to a new Flying Returns account. This streamlined loyalty program offers Vistara members enhanced access to Air India’s larger network and additional rewards.
Extended Validity for Complimentary Ticket Vouchers Vistara Complimentary Ticket Vouchers that were valid as of November 11, 2024, will receive an additional three months of validity, allowing passengers more time to redeem their vouchers. Furthermore, any unused On-demand Vouchers will automatically transfer to the Flying Returns account, ensuring a smooth transition for loyal customers.
Changes to Co-branded Credit Card Benefits Following the merger, holders of co-branded Vistara and Air India credit cards will now earn Flying Returns points and continue to enjoy existing card benefits. These benefits, including Complimentary Ticket Vouchers, will be available until March 31, 2026. However, annual memberships will not be renewed beyond March 31, 2025, so customers should take note of this deadline.
Key Deadlines for Vistara Members Passengers can take advantage of the merged loyalty program and extended voucher benefits following the November 12 merger date. These changes reflect the latest step in Tata Group’s efforts to streamline operations and create a seamless experience across its airline brands, with new opportunities and rewards for travelers.
