With airlines, worldwide, reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic many of their customers are moving to attempt to protect their frequent flyer credits, which in many cases have been earned over a longer period. Airlines, however, have begun to extend expiration dates on these credits in an attempt to retain their customers.

The QANTAS Frequent Flyer membership program and Virgin’s Velocity counterpart have both released statements extending the status credits expiration for customers on both programs by twelves months. Similarly, international airlines have made the same changes with American Airlines and Delta both extending their own frequent flyer program status by the same twelve months.

This comes as a relief to many frequent travellers with the top tiers of most frequent flyer membership programs offering prestigious rewards for members. As an example, QANTAS’ longstanding frequent flyer program at a Platinum One level offers a complimentary additional Platinum membership, two lounge invitations per flight (including the first-class lounges) and highest priority complimentary upgrade on flights.

Many airlines have also moved to protect that investment by stating that as long as International flight restrictions are in place, their members will retain their status within their membership programs.

What is being affected though is reciprocal benefits with other airlines’ membership programs? United Airlines have warned that customers’ points will no longer be transferrable between Star Alliance partners. In the case of affected Australian airlines, this specifically relates to the Virgin Velocity program.

Adele Eliseo, the author of The Champagne Mile, recently spoke to DMARGE regarding these worldwide changes to membership programs “As airlines look to rebuild after the chaos of COVID-19, my sense is that travellers should brace themselves for wide-spread loyalty program devaluations.”

“More broadly, the abolishment of award charts is a trend we could see Australian loyalty programs move to in the future.”

For the moment though both QANTAS and Virgin Airlines have committed to the medium-term security of their frequent flyer rewards programs and customers should be relieved that their investments have been secured. In the long term? COVID-19 may change the face of frequent flyer rewards programs forever.