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Lounge access changes for SkyTeam Elite members
This week saw the SkyTeam alliance update some of their lounge access rules for elite members of their participating airline partners. The three changes being implemented as of April 1, 2025 are as follows:
Domestic Lounge Access
For the very first time, SkyTeam will offer lounge access to Elite Plus customers* traveling on domestic flights as an additional benefit. Domestic lounge access will initially be available at selected lounges of Air France, China Eastern, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, KLM, SAS, Saudia, and Vietnam Airlines. Please find the list of domestic lounges accessible today. SkyTeam and its members plan to gradually widen domestic lounge access to more lounges in the future**.
Elite Plus Guest changes
Elite Plus customers are entitled to bring one guest into the lounge with them. All guests must be traveling on the same SkyTeam-operated flight as the Elite Plus customer.
3-hour lounge access on departure
To help deliver a more relaxing pre-flight experience for eligible Elite Plus, First and Business Class customers on departure, a 3-hour lounge access will be introduced at more lounges. Elite Plus customers transferring between two SkyTeam-operated flights will continue to enjoy same-day/24-hour access at the point of connection.
* Separate domestic lounge access policies may apply to members of Aerolineas Argentina’s’ Aerolineas Plus and Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles programs.
** Access for Elite Plus customers traveling on domestic flights will not be available at all SkyTeam member lounges.
Image via SkyTeam
Changes coming to the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program
The Qantas Frequent Flyer program is a very niche one for the Canadian market as a lot of us don’t utilize it but for those of you who do you’ll see changes coming to the program over the course of 2025. The changes see to be both positive and negative but as I don’t have very in-depth knowledge of the program I won’t provide commentary on the changes
- More availability of premium reward seats – The airline promises up to 1 million additional international Classic Flight Rewards will be available
- Adding the option to use points to upgrade to business class on JetStar flights
- Higher points earn rates of up to 25% more on domestic flights
- Classic Flight Reward changes – A 11% decrease in the points required for domestic short haul Classic Flight Rewards but a larger 20% increase to all other Classic Flight Rewards and Upgrades. This will include rewards on Qatas’ Vancouver flight.
- Classic Flight Reward changes on Emirates – The program will align rewards on Emirates to cost the same amount of points as Qantas flights. This means a reduction in points required for Economy Class but an increase for Business and First Class.
Click here to learn more about these changes
Image via Qantas
Tip of the Day!
On the topic of lounge access, if you are enjoying or planning to enjoy visits to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada or worldwide make sure you sign up for their Smart Traveller program! This program awards points for each eligible lounge visit and then those points can be redeemed for future lounge visits, premium drinks, shower access and more.
Learn more about this in our: Loyalty Lesson – Earn points on your airport lounge visits – even if they’re free from your credit card
Subscribe & join to learn more:
Want to learn more? Have a question? Join our Facebook group to ask the RWRDS Canada community!
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Posts since our last update:
- Earn up to 2x Aeroplan points on Air Canada flights to sun destinations
- Coming Soon: Receive up to 40% bonus miles when redeeming AIR MILES for travel
- Earn 2x Aeroplan points on Coast Hotels stays
- Earn 4,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points for stays at The Dorian Hotel or Courtyard Calgary Downtown
- RWRDS Daily Update Jan 23: Earn 5,000 bonus points at the Canalta Lodge Banff
Canadian Bonus Offers
Air Canada Aeroplan
– Earn 2x Aeroplan Points on eligible stays at Coast Hotels in Canada and the U.S. Make sure your Coast Rewards earning preference is set to Air Canada Aeroplan to earn the bonus! Book by Feb 17 for stays until Mar 31, 25. More…
Canalta Hotels Canalta Rewards
– Canada Banff, Alberta Earn 5,000 bonus Canalta Rewards points for midweek stays (Sun-Thu) at the Canalta Lodge Banff. Book now for stays until Apr 30, 25. More…
Other Bonus Offers
Emirates Skywards
– Earn 2,000 bonus Skywards Miles on your first spend using a Visa debit or credit card via the Skywards Miles Mall online shopping portal. Offer valid to Mar 31, 25. More…
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
– Earn up to 5,000 Miles&Smiles Miles for stays of 4 or more night sat Kirman Premium Hotels in Turkey. Offer valid until Dec 31, 25. More…
Deals:
TAP Air Portugal: Fly from Toronto or Montreal to Europe from C$579 Book by Jan 24 for travel until May 31, 2025. Click here to book this offer.
Priority Pass: Special offer save 30% on Standard memberships, 20% on Standard Plus and 10% on Prestige. Click here to buy a membership