Finnair Plus has today announced various changes to its frequent flier program, effective June 1 and 15, 2023.
Award prices are increased by 20% to 33%, and fuel surcharges are introduced to all award flights (effective miles increase is significantly higher). There are also changes to luggage allowance for elite members.
You can access Finnair’s page for these changes here.
Luggage Allowance Changes From June 1, 2023:
Complimentary carry-on bag
Finnair Plus Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum Lumo members can take one complimentary carry-on bag (55cm x 44cm x 23cm) on short-haul flights when travelling with an Economy Superlight ticket that otherwise would only include a small bag. This applies to bookings made on or after 1 June 2023.
What is Economy Superlight?
We are introducing a new Superlight ticket type that replaces the Economy Light on short-haul flights (flights within Europe) for tickets purchased on or after 1 June. Superlight includes one small bag that is placed under the seat (40cm x 30cm x 15cm) and nothing extra. Read more about Superlight.
50% discount on extra bag for Silver members
As of 1 June 2023, Finnair Plus Silver members no longer have an extra checked bag of 23kg as a tier benefit but can purchase it with a 50% discount. The discount applies to all bookings regardless of the booking date.
The discount only applies to purchases made through Finnair digital channels or customer service for Finnair operated and marketed flights. The discount is not available for purchases at the airport.
If you have booked your flight before 1 June 2023 and you are a Silver member at the time of travel, you are still entitled to one extra bag free of charge.
No complimentary sports equipment for Gold members
Finnair Plus Gold members no longer have complimentary sports equipment, such as skis or a golf bag, included in their tier benefits when flying on or after 1 June 2023. However, you can always purchase all special baggage as a travel extra.
You can purchase bags and other travel extras when booking your tickets or later in Manage booking or Finnair mobile app.
Heavy bag charge for Platinum and Platinum Lumo members
Finnair Plus Platinum and Platinum Lumo members can no longer take heavy or oversized bags with them free of charge. If your bag weighs 23–32kg or exceeds the standard size of 90cm x 75cm x 45cm, you will need to pay a heavy or oversized bag charge. This change applies to bookings made on or after 1 June 2023.
If you have booked your flight before 1 June 2023 and you are a Platinum or Platinum Lumo member at the time of travel, you are still entitled to take heavy or oversized bags with you free of charge.
It is unclear if the checked luggage allowance is removed for Gold, Platinum, and Lumo members on these Economy Superlight tickets and what the allowance is for Oneworld Emerald members, who are eligible for one additional bag on alliance flights.
The page refers removal of the allowance of Silver members that will be eligible for a 50% discount on extra bag charges from June 1.
The complimentary special baggage allowance (ski, golf & snowboard) is removed for Gold members but is still in place for Platinum and Platinum Lumo.
Platinum and Platinum Lumo members are losing their heavy bag charge waiver (23 to 32 kilos).
Upgrade Pricing From June 15, 2023
The number of Finnair Plus points required for travel class upgrades changes on June 15, 2023.
Upgrade Pricing Until June 14, 2023
Upgrade Pricing From June 15, 2023
Award Pricing Change + Fuel Surcharge Introductions June 15, 2023
Finnair will change the number of points required for award flights on June 15, 2023, and introduces fuel surcharges (double whammy).
Note that Northern Europe includes: Bergen, Copenhagen, Gdansk, Gothenburg, Krakow, Oslo, Reykjavik, Riga, Stockholm, Tallinn, Tromsø, Vilnius, Visby, Warsaw, and all flights within Finland.
The Rest of Europe also includes Tel Aviv.
Award Pricing Until June 14, 2023
Award Pricing Until June 15, 2023
Fuel Surcharge Per Segment:
These fuel surcharges are per flight segment. Finnair Plus award flight from Europe to Asia suddenly costs 270 euros in junk fees in addition to the higher point requirement.
Conclusion
We have been in touch with Finnair to get clarification on Finnair Plus Gold, Platinum, Platinum Lumo, and Oneworld Emerald member luggage allowance on these Economy Superlight flights, and we will update the piece when we hear back.
The increase in Finnair Plus points for award flights is not awful, but combining this with a significant additional cash outlay on awards effectively becomes a 30% to 40% devaluation.
You have to keep in mind that Finnair Plus points are in kilometers and not miles. One mile is 1.609 kilometers (to get an idea between point and miles requirements among different programs).
Finnair Plus points are not useful for partner awards but have been good value for flights on their own metal, which has now been significantly devalued.