“It would feel like a waste not to use the benefits” – How Finnair Plus members travel on a new level

Mari Aho, Harri Nieminen and Niilo Turunen are frequent travellers and long-time members of the Finnair Plus loyalty program. Thanks to the benefits, they find planning and taking trips smooth and enjoyable. Even their loved ones get to enjoy a touch of luxury while travelling.

“Travelling as a family brings us closer together”

Mari Aho leads an active life and travels both within Finland and abroad during her free time. She travels with her family and also pursues her personal passions. Currently, Aho is studying basic courses in craft art, which has taken her to fascinating places around the world.

“I’ve attended craft fairs in Birmingham in England, Alsace in France and Houston in the USA, which hosts the world’s largest fair in the field. My sister and I have taken craft-themed cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean, which included craft workshops led by a Finnish teacher. Picture us lined up at our sewing machines, stitching away in the middle of the waves,” Aho laughs.

The Finnair Plus program was established in 1992. Aho recalls being a member from the very beginning. She collects Avios, the program’s loyalty currency, also through using the Finnair Visa credit card linked to her membership.

Aho feels that the membership and Avios bring advantages that make travelling significantly easier.

“Upgrades to a higher travel class, especially on long flights, are the top benefit. There are also fun events regularly, like the recent Finnair Plus members’ day at Linnanmäki amusement park.”

Her most memorable experiences, however, are family trips. They travel to their cabin in Pyhätunturi, Lapland, several times a year and go abroad during autumn breaks and summer holidays.

“When Finnair has flight offers, I buy tickets for the entire season to Rovaniemi at once – sometimes five sets of five tickets well in advance, even a year ahead. We usually know our travel dates, but I buy Classic tickets so the dates can be changed if needed.”

The family’s journey begins at the airport, and the lounge and priority services included in the tier benefits ensure a smooth experience.

Aho says the special memories always begin when they leave home and head beyond the Helsinki capital region.

“Travelling as a family brings us closer together. We eat together at the airport and plan the trip. It’s also sweet when the kids spontaneously recall our trips in everyday life.”

Her children, aged 11, 13 and 16, are already seasoned travellers and Finnair Plus members themselves. There are plenty of stories.

“In a bus full of politicians at Brussels Airport, one of my daughters loudly wondered why we always fly when the bus is so comfortable. One of the most memorable moments for my youngest daughter on a trip to Japan was when she got to press buttons on a Business Class seat thanks to a travel class upgrade,” Aho laughs.

The children have also travelled alone to Lapland and Hungary, to their grandparents’ summer cottage and to language courses.

“Finnair staff take great care of children both on the ground and in the air. It feels safe to let them travel alone. Seeing the Finnair logo already feels a bit like coming home.”

“It would feel like a waste not to use the benefits”

“It’s probably a mix of emotional and rational thinking,” reflects Harri Nieminen on his Finnair Plus membership.

Nieminen travels extensively for both work and leisure.

“If I have a week off, I can’t imagine staying home. I also enjoy staycations in Helsinki,” he says of his travel enthusiasm.

He has been a Finnair Plus member his entire adult life and has held the Platinum status for several years.

“I travel whenever possible, and if I can benefit from the loyalty program, it would feel like a waste not to use the benefits. And once you’ve earned the benefits, you don’t want to give them up easily,” he laughs.

Nieminen collects Avios not only from travel but also from using the Finnair Visa credit card. He has used Avios in the Finnair Shop to buy small electronics and make charitable donations, although he mostly uses them for travel class upgrades.

Nieminen believes that a trip begins even before boarding the plane.

“Leaving home feels good when you know there’s a pleasant flight ahead.”

He enjoys the Finnair Lounge and boards among the first, continuing his journey comfortably in a Business Class seat.

“On long trips, it’s nice to arrive well-rested. Sometimes I buy a Business Class ticket with money, but my budget isn’t unlimited. Upgrades often work with Avios and a bit of tweaking. One member benefit is seeing if upgrades are available on the flight I’m looking at.”

As a service designer and customer experience developer, Nieminen appreciates smoothness.

“I understand that everyone doesn’t value the same things, but for me, benefits related to smooth travel are essential. Even being able to board first means I don’t have to worry about whether my bag fits above my seat or if I’ll have to move it and deal with it later when leaving the aircraft.”

Nieminen, who loves architecture and aesthetics, structures his year around travel. His favourite cities include New York and London, which he visits several times a year. In winter, he’s often drawn to the pulse of Bangkok and Thailand’s beautiful islands and delicious food.

He doesn’t enjoy the benefits alone but likes to pamper his loved ones with special flight experiences.

“Most memorable trips include my mother’s 60th birthday trip to New York and my sister’s 30th birthday trip to California, where our mother also joined. They might not travel like this otherwise, at least not often, so it was wonderful to offer a touch of luxury by upgrading everyone’s travel class. I’ve also flown to the USA several times in Business Class with a friend.”

Nieminen has plenty of travel stories to share, but his suitcase is already waiting by the door for the next trip – a holiday to Japan for the first time. He’ll likely arrive well-rested in the comfort of Business Class.

“I love solo travel”

Niilo Turunen is an entrepreneur in the music and media industry and spends his free time immersed in culture and travelling. Half of his travel is work-related, often to Stockholm or other Nordic capitals.

“I have a bit of a vice – any extra money I get goes to travelling,” Turunen admits.

He’s a rare traveller who enjoys going solo.

“I love solo travel! But people are often surprised by it. You don’t have to please anyone else and can just go entirely on your own terms. That’s the best part. But of course, I don’t mind having good company either.”

Turunen is now 21 years old and was enrolled as a Finnair Plus Junior member as a child.

“It’s been beneficial all along. I’ve earned Avios from every trip, and over the years, that’s helped me climb membership tiers. And now that I travel more and more, it really shows,” Turunen smiles.

He mainly uses Avios for award flights, but also for hotel stays, gift cards and Finnair Shop purchases.

“Avios have made it possible to fly long-haul in Business Class at a fairly affordable price. It’s an experience I’ve really enjoyed.”

Turunen doesn’t want to name just one favourite destination, but European cities are close to his heart. He recommends them for solo travellers.

“Cities like Stockholm, London and Berlin are easy weekend destinations with lots to see. I like to do my research and check out museums, theatres, concerts – especially jazz clubs. When there are enough people around, you get a sense of freedom.”