Swiss has ditched its frequent flyer programme following a merger with Lufthansa's scheme.
Swiss TravelClub will be terminated on April 1 2006, with all members being invited to switch to Lufthansa's Miles & More. According to Swiss, its TravelClub members will not lose out, with their mileage balance transferred one-for-one to a Miles & More account on March 31 2006.
These miles remain valid for three years and any status awarded will be valid for two years. TravelClub members will also maintain their equivalent status in Miles & More.
TravelClub members can continue to collect and spend their miles until March 31, 2006. Advantages for TravelClub members is that once they are a part of Miles & More they can choose to redeem and earn miles with the other 16 airlines in the Star Alliance.
As well as being Lufthansa's frequent flyer programme, Miles & More is the frequent flyer programme of Adria Airways, Air Dolomiti, Air One, Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines and Luxair. With 11 million members it is Europe's largest.
According to Ravindra Bhagwanani of Global Flight Management, a frequent flyer programme consultancy, TravelClub members flying longhaul will benefit because longhaul award flights are cheaper with Miles & More than TravelClub. Conversely he says TravelClub is cheaper for award flights in Europe.
TravelClub members should register for Miles & More by November 15 2005 using their membership number and personal code at
https://miles-and-more.swiss.com.