Finnair has had a rough few years, given that the carrier’s long haul route network historically consisted primarily of flights to Asia. Asia travel was hit especially hard during the pandemic (given for how long many countries in Asia stayed closed). Now with Russian airspace being closed, the airline is having to make some major detours for its flights to Asia, greatly increasing operating costs.
The airline has been doing significant cost cutting. Just recently, the Helsinki-based oneworld airline announced it would slash pillows and champagne. Now the airline is going after its frequent flyer program (in addition to introducing a punitive new seat assignment policy).
In this post:
Finnair Plus changes coming June 2023
Major changes are coming to the Finnair Plus program as of June 2023. With this, we’re seeing the airline increase upgrade costs, increase award costs, and add surcharges to awards. On top of that, the airline is making some changes to its baggage policies.
These changes are negative across the board, though a couple of things to note:
- I appreciate that unlike other airlines, Finnair doesn’t spin negative changes as a positive; it’s amazing how many airlines will simply increase mileage requirements, and spin it as something that’s based on member feedback
- While these changes are bad, they could be worse
Anyway, let’s go over the details…
Finnair Plus increases award costs
As of June 15, 2023, Finnair Plus will be increasing the cost of award flights. You can find the new Finnair Plus award chart below.
You can find the old Finnair Plus award chart below.
In some cases, we’re seeing some pretty substantial increases. For example, one-way long haul awards are increasing in cost from 80,000 points to 95,000 points in business class, and from 60,000 points to 65,000 points in premium economy.
Finnair Plus adds award ticket surcharges
As of June 15, 2023, Finnair Plus will be introducing additional surcharges on award flights. This is what makes the award chart devaluation sting, since you’re not just seeing an increase in the number of points required, but also a cash co-pay.
You can find the new Finnair Plus award surcharges chart below. This pricing is per segment, so you can expect to pay anywhere from €10 for a domestic economy award to €120 for a long haul business class award.
Again, this stings, but at least it’s not the $800+ surcharges we see on some other airlines.
Finnair Plus increases upgrade costs
As of June 15, 2023, Finnair Plus will be increasing the number of points required to upgrade flights. You can find the new Finnair Plus upgrade chart below.
You can find the old Finnair Plus upgrade chart below.
As you can see, one-way upgrade costs are increasing by 2,500 points on flights within Northern Europe, by 5,000 points on other flights within Europe, and by 10,000 points on long haul flights.
Finnair Plus baggage benefit changes
While I’d consider these changes to be minor compared to the new upgrade and award costs, there are also a bunch of changes coming to baggage policies as of June 1, 2023:
- Finnair Plus Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Platinum Lumo members will receive one free carry-on bag on short haul flights when traveling on an Economy Superlight ticket
- Finnair Plus Silver members will no longer receive an additional extra checked bag, but can purchase one for a 50% discount
- Finnair Plus Gold members will no longer receive a complimentary checked piece of sports equipment
- Finnair Plus Platinum and Platinum Lumo members will no longer be able to take a heavy or oversized bag with them free of charge; bags weighing 23-32kg will be subject to a heavy or oversized bag charge
My take on these Finnair Plus changes
There are no two ways about it, these Finnair Plus changes are negative across the board. For award flights, not only are we seeing points costs increase, but we’re also seeing surcharges increase. Upgrade costs are also going up.
Then you have baggage changes, which seem downright cheap. For example, Platinum Lumo is basically Finnair’s equivalent of Lufthansa HON Circle, and it is very hard to qualify for. Now the airline will charge those passengers if they have a bag weighing over 23kg? That seems excessive.
Finnair has been aggressively cost cutting, and the airline seems to think that’s what’s required to return to profitability. I’m a little more skeptical about this strategy, but I guess time will tell how it works out.
In fairness, I at least appreciate that some advance notice is being provided of these changes, and it’s also not the most obscene frequent flyer program devaluation we’ve ever seen (in some other situations we’ve seen airlines increase award costs by 50%+).
Bottom line
Major changes are coming to the Finnair Plus program as of June 2023, as part of the carrier’s cost cutting initiative. Finnair Plus will be increasing award costs, adding surcharges to award flights, and increasing upgrade costs. On top of that, the program will be eliminating many elite baggage perks.
If you have any Finnair Plus points, I’d definitely recommend trying to redeem them in the coming weeks.
What do you make of these Finnair Plus changes?
Finnair currently selling points - May 17-31 for their 30th anniversary, while significantly devaluating the rewards program.
I'm curious is this finnair point promotion page is correct? Or is it just extremely out of date? Looking to buy and use points before the end of May and the devaluation kicks in. The page below lists 30% bonus and 30% discount May 17-May 31...
https://www.finnair.com/us-en/finnair-plus/buy--transfer-or-exchange-points
Dear Sir / Madam
I would be negligent if I did not give you feedback on your announcement yesterday of the destruction of Finnair.
It is the end of Finnair as a worth while airline to choose to fly, you are just recovering from the pandemic and you want to upset and take away the reasons why your loyal customers fly you.
This is my response below to your press release yesterday.
...Dear Sir / Madam
I would be negligent if I did not give you feedback on your announcement yesterday of the destruction of Finnair.
It is the end of Finnair as a worth while airline to choose to fly, you are just recovering from the pandemic and you want to upset and take away the reasons why your loyal customers fly you.
This is my response below to your press release yesterday.
OMG!
I am Platinum Lumo and I will stop flying Finnair specifically for the fact they have devalued the awards and now charge crazy surcharges on there own flights, partner flight awards were all Ready useless using ridiculous amounts of points, huge charges and not able to book multi segments, now also upgrades increased which was the only thing I could use my points on sensibly, they took away the champagne last month, took away the Platinum lounge only used on restrictive hours, they took away the food quality both on the flights and in the lounge and now they destroy the Finnair Plus programme, on top of that they have rude outsourced flight crews on most of there Asia flights and the Fares have increased in price drastically in the last year making them less competitive against other Airlines. Whoever this new management is he has sealed the fate of Finnair because I for one have started booking elsewhere as of today, Qatar here I come and Finnair Plus goodbye, nice being Lumo but no point when the points have limited value and the airline scams you even on business class, well it is not business class now is it, you pay for seats, no champagne, lousy food, and rude crews, that says budget airline with business prices.
Charging for business class seats, seriously?
And removing our 32kg bag allowance seriously?
Cathay and Qatar no problem and even British Airways now better than you which I never thought I would say and I am British.
Sorry you have gone too far.
I will use up the bookings I have only because you have at least honoured the allowances on existing booking but most likely that is a legal dicision.
In addition I was in business class paid last month and my meal had been left off, your crew wanted to charge me for a snack from economy!!!!!!
GOOD BYE FINNAIR FROM A LOYAL LUMO CUSTOMER YOU ARE YESTERDAYS AIRLINE!!!!!!
I am so sad for you all as this will surely see the Airline lose most of its business over the next year unless these changes are reversed very fast.
Also note. Sapphire members will not receive any baggage benefits. Only emerald members
No surprise just flown BKK TO HEL Business class. awful service crew blames cut in crew numbers. Food awful sure they saving money now not even salt and pepper sachet with your meals. Have to ask the crew! As for the amenity bag what is the point. Just a eyemask, ear plugs and cream. No Toothpaste or brush. Crazy
Interesting. I just flew this exact same route about 3 weeks ago. Crew numbers in business class was fine, service was great and amenity kits were placed at each seat prior to boarding. I didn't bother having anything to eat (I've grown to hate airplane food, even in business class) so can't speak to the lack of salt and pepper.
Europe does not need so many national carriers and Helsinki is not a destination by itself. Finnair is poised to disappear sooner than later.
How much are they expecting to earn by charging Platinum Lumo, their most valuable customers, for oversized and overweight baggage? I'm guessing there's a very small number of Lumo, and a even smaller number of flights taken by Lumos which take advantage of the oversized baggage benefit.
This is cost cutting down wrong.
I am Lumo and I just said this and one of the main issues is the 32kg so yes you are right.
Dear Sir / Madam
I would be negligent if I did not give you feedback on your announcement yesterday of the destruction of Finnair.
It is the end of Finnair as a worth while airline to choose to fly, you are just recovering from the pandemic and you want to upset and...
I am Lumo and I just said this and one of the main issues is the 32kg so yes you are right.
Dear Sir / Madam
I would be negligent if I did not give you feedback on your announcement yesterday of the destruction of Finnair.
It is the end of Finnair as a worth while airline to choose to fly, you are just recovering from the pandemic and you want to upset and take away the reasons why your loyal customers fly you.
This is my response below to your press release yesterday.
OMG!
I am Platinum Lumo and I will stop flying Finnair specifically for the fact they have devalued the awards and now charge crazy surcharges on there own flights, partner flight awards were all Ready useless using ridiculous amounts of points, huge charges and not able to book multi segments, now also upgrades increased which was the only thing I could use my points on sensibly, they took away the champagne last month, took away the Platinum lounge only used on restrictive hours, they took away the food quality both on the flights and in the lounge and now they destroy the Finnair Plus programme, on top of that they have rude outsourced flight crews on most of there Asia flights and the Fares have increased in price drastically in the last year making them less competitive against other Airlines. Whoever this new management is he has sealed the fate of Finnair because I for one have started booking elsewhere as of today, Qatar here I come and Finnair Plus goodbye, nice being Lumo but no point when the points have limited value and the airline scams you even on business class, well it is not business class now is it, you pay for seats, no champagne, lousy food, and rude crews, that says budget airline with business prices.
Charging for business class seats, seriously?
And removing our 32kg bag allowance seriously?
Cathay and Qatar no problem and even British Airways now better than you which I never thought I would say and I am British.
Sorry you have gone too far.
I will use up the bookings I have only because you have at least honoured the allowances on existing booking but most likely that is a legal dicision.
In addition I was in business class paid last month and my meal had been left off, your crew wanted to charge me for a snack from economy!!!!!!
GOOD BYE FINNAIR FROM A LOYAL LUMO CUSTOMER YOU ARE YESTERDAYS AIRLINE!!!!!!
I am so sad for you all as this will surely see the Airline lose most of its business over the next year unless these changes are reversed very fast.
Nickel and diming customers who have spent thousands to get top status seems like a fail. Does extreme cost cutting ever lead to business success?
15k increase for Business between North America and Europe isn't terrible figuring how cheap they sell miles on occasion (below a penny).
It's only halfway decent IF they continue selling points below a penny. But they severely limited how many people could do so during the last sale. I'm guessing it will be even more limited this year, if they even have a special sale at all...
Most of us earn points and it takes a flight to Asia to get 15000 points
Gutted!
I believe the real harsh news is "no more free seat selection at check in" even for standard long haul business saver ticket (airline will allocate seats unless you pay). That's pretty aggressive...
"When you have a Superlight, Light or Classic ticket, you can choose your favorite seat for your flight by purchasing it in advance when buying a ticket ... This means complimentary seat selection is not available during check-in with these ticket types...
I believe the real harsh news is "no more free seat selection at check in" even for standard long haul business saver ticket (airline will allocate seats unless you pay). That's pretty aggressive...
"When you have a Superlight, Light or Classic ticket, you can choose your favorite seat for your flight by purchasing it in advance when buying a ticket ... This means complimentary seat selection is not available during check-in with these ticket types when the ticket is purchased on 1 June 2023 or later. With Flex tickets, you can select standard and preferred seats complimentary also before check-in."