In June 2023, over 46 years since its formation, Kenya Airways rolled out Asante Rewards, its much-anticipated loyalty program. Prior to that, Kenya Airways customers were invited to join Air-France-KLM’s Flying Blue frequent flyer program as part of their long-standing partnership.
Asante Rewards was designed with the African market and dynamics in mind. It was created after several years of research and customer feedback to offer loyal passengers more rewards and exclusive benefits. While Asante is not as extensive as programs from other legacy carriers, there are several ways to earn reward points, including flying and non-flying activities. So, let us explore how the loyalty program works.
Customers have a chance to earn both reward and tier points. As a SkyTeam member, Kenya Airways allows members to earn points on its own flights or when traveling with some of its alliance partners. Reward points are redeemable for flights and added benefits, while tier points help with progression from one tier to another.
Asante Rewards members can earn points each time they travel on Kenya Airways-operated flights. The carrier breaks it down into three simple steps – fly, earn, and redeem. The more you fly, the faster you move between tiers and unlock additional benefits. Asante members can receive points on all qualifying Kenya Airways fares and products. However, the number of points earned depends on the passenger’s destination, fare type, and travel class.
Photo: Kenya Airways
The Nairobi-based carrier offers two classes of travel – economy and business, with four booking classes in economy and three in business. Each booking class offers a different percentage of earnings, with Economy Best Buy as the lowest and Business Super Flex as the highest. The highest amount to be earned on domestic flights is 1,000 points at a rate of 200%.
For travel between Kenya and other African countries, passengers can earn up to 8,000 points depending on travel class and the destination. For example, Economy Standard passengers flying to South Africa can earn up to 1,500 points, while Business Super Flex customers flying to Senegal, Liberia, or Sierra Leone can earn as much as 8,000 points.
If you can, consider taking the opportunity to upgrade your ticket.
Kenya Airways’ intercontinental routes have the highest earnings potential. A passenger flying to or from the US can earn 16,000 Asante Rewards Points when traveling in the most elite class. However, the Kenyan carrier only flies to New York (JFK) in the US.
According to KQ, points will be reflected in a member’s account within 24 hours after a flight. Members are also allowed family pooling to accrue points faster, with each household account taking up to eight members. While children under 18 cannot hold individual accounts, anyone between 2 and 18 years can be enrolled in the household account.
Asante Rewards customers have an opportunity to earn through Kenya Airways’ airline and non-airline partners. Just like other loyalty programs, points can also be earned without flying. The carrier has two hotel partners: Pride Inn and Serena Hotels. Both hotels offer a chance to earn points as well as discounts on food, beverages, and accommodation.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Depending on the booking class, members can earn tier points and qualifying flights when traveling with Air France. This includes flights with the AF code operated by Air France, Kenya Airways or SkyTeam carriers (except KLM), and Air France Hop. It also includes Hop flights with airline numbers in the SkyTeam alliance. Frequent flyers can earn a minimum of 500 points for every sector flown.
Similarly, members can earn tier points and qualifying flights on KLM services to and from various destinations. This includes flights with the KL code, operated by KLM, Kenya Airways or other SkyTeam airlines (excluding Air France), and KLM Cityhopper. You can also earn points when traveling on KLM CityHopper flights with flight numbers from other SkyTeam members. Each sector offers at least 500 points.
The paid promotion allows members from 13 airline programs to match their status to an equivalent level in the Flying Blue program.
With the ongoing partnership between the three carriers, customers who were part of other frequent flyer programs were welcomed to enroll in Asante Rewards. Kenya Airways provides status match, allowing Flying Blue members to retain their tier levels.
The amount of points to be earned also depends on the membership tier. Asante Rewards comprises four tiers: Ruby, Silver, Gold Elite Plus, and Platinum Elite Plus, with Ruby being the lowest. The bonus points have the following percentages:
Kenya Airways grants 1,000 enrolment points in the Ruby tier after your first flight. Following that, 20,000 tier points or 15 sectors will be required to qualify for the Silver Tier, 40,000 points or 30 sectors for Gold, and 65,000 points or 60 sectors for Platinum. All sectors are for flights operated by KQ or its SkyTeam partners.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Each tier also provides different benefits, like preferred seating, extra baggage allowance, Sky Priority, elite Plus recognition, priority check-in, priority boarding, and lounge access. However, all members get dedicated phone line service and promotional airline discounts. Furthermore, points in all tiers expire after 24 months of inactivity.
From March 2024, Asante members with at least 7,000 points can redeem them for an award ticket to any domestic destination, while those with at least 9,000 points can acquire a ticket to any international destination. It is important to note that applicable charges, surcharges, and government charges still apply to Kenya Airways award tickets. Additionally, you cannot earn points when traveling with an award ticket.
What are your thoughts on Kenya Airways’ frequent flyer program? Are you an Asante Rewards member? Please let us know in the comment section!
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