On 5th Aug 2024, IndiGo made two important announcements, both of which will have a significant impact on our credit card strategy going forward from late 2024 and beyond. Here’s what one could expect:
Business Class
IndiGo is moving away from its no-frills carrier tag by launching a Business Class cabin on the nation’s “busiest and business routes”. Here’s a nice video of the Indigo’s Business Class: IndiGoStretch.
IndiGo Stretch cabin will feature 12 seats in a 2-2 configuration, offering space and comfort. With a beautiful look & USB C port, Indigo Stretch looks promising, you can read more here. The airline expects to take the product live by mid-Nov 2024.
My Thoughts: It’s no wonder that IndiGo has to launch a business class product to connect international passengers further and to serve the demands from busy business routes.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see airlines offering half of the aircraft fitted with business class seats on longer flights (>3hrs) someday. I hope I’m alive to see that.
That aside, it’s a little surprising that “extra baggage allowance” is missing at launch, which is crucial for transiting international travellers (update: it’s 30KG). Additionally, “hot meals” won’t be provided.
So ideally, IndiGo’s business class would focus more on basic comfort (space) than luxury, which might result in better rates than the competition. So “Stretch” is the perfect name of the game.
BluChip Loyalty Program
IndiGo announced the launch of its airline loyalty program: IndiGo BluChip. The program will offer a revenue-based earn & burn model. A key USP is that it comes with no expiry, like Virgin Atlantic Flying Blue or United MileagePlus. Here’s a beautiful video ad of IndiGo BluChip.
If you’re interested, you may Pre-Register here. If you’re already on 6E Rewards, you don’t need to, as it will be automatically migrated when it’s ready (no timeline given).
My Thoughts: Indigo’s existing 6E rewards is such a pain that it will never work out for the airline or the banks issuing co-brand cards.
If you’ve been following, few years ago I wrote about 5 reasons why Indigo Credit Cards won’t sell and the only way is to revamp the program. It got good attention to the extent that one of the issuing banks reached out to me to “consider” taking it down, but I didn’t for obvious reasons.
Now, about 2 years later, it’s wonderful to see IndiGo’s Loyalty Program in its new form, promising all good things. If it’s really good, almost every traveler would end up getting IndiGo cards.
And it’s also the right time, as Vistara is moving towards the relatively not-so-lucrative Air India Flying Returns compared to the existing Club Vistara.
As the airline shared very little info on the program, I’m not expecting it to be fully up & running in 2024, but let’s wait and see.
Final Thoughts
Overall, it’s great news for credit card holders, as Business Class with the refreshed loyalty program is a great combo.
I’ve flown about 10 IndiGo flights in the last 1 year as they’re inevitable for domestic connectivity, so I’m excited to see their BluChip in action.
How about you? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Just like everyone else, even I had bad experience with Indigo 6E rewards program few years back. I had Kotak Indigo Co-Branded card, and I never got the reward points even after 3 months of spending. It was a waste of Rs 2.5k.
Their customer support was defunct and horrible. All I could feel was, Indigo has no DNA of giving back to loyalty members. They were not even trying sincerely to make it a success. There are no benefits for loyalty members.
I am Axis Vistara Gold card holder for over 5 years, have reaped unimaginable benefits. I guess, now, even Air India is also moving in that direction and upgrading their loyalty program and facilities.
Unless Indigo really put honest effort and change itself by changing their thought process or revamping the whole system (and may be the team too) it is difficult for them to succeed. They seem to be trying to do things halfheartedly.
They can succeed only if they think like full-service Airline, not no-frills airline (in fact their cost is almost same as Air-India and Vistara even without facilities like them).
Do you pay 10k +taxes every year for your axis gold credit card?
Yes I do pay 10k per year , and I also get business class ticket for that 😁
A business class ticket for 10k is not bad, isn’t it?
for a 10k plus fee, you get 3-4 business class tickets. nothing better than that. The only downside is that you can’t hold onto your gold level unless you fly frequently.
But I love the Axis Vistara infinite card. I hope Air India does justice to this.
You can check in upto 2 pieces (30kg) on Stretch.
Thanks, updated.