Regional Express Airlines has launched a new frequent flyer program.
Members can earn and use REX Flyer points across the airline’s domestic and regional network and can accumulate status points to enjoy Tier Status benefits from early 2024.
REX Points can be redeemed with three reward flight options at various pricing levels and availability – but there’s a twist to stand out from the competition.
Starting 48 hours before departure, nearly all remaining unsold seats on each REX flight will be available for booking at the cheapest reward seat rate.
“The program with its superior benefits means we can at last reward our passengers for the loyalty they have shown us over many years as we have fought hard – often against almost impossible odds – to provide them with safe, affordable and reliable air services,” REX deputy chairman John Sharp said.
The new program focuses on the traditional earning and burning points model. Earning points: From three to seven points per dollar spent on fares and up to five points per dollar on extras such as baggage and seating fees.
Flexible fares and Business Class fares earn more points per dollar.
Points can be used for Economy and Business Class reward seats.
Reward seat prices are tied to published cash fares and currently start from 7,400 points (plus fees and taxes) in Economy.
Flight rewards will become available from mid-November 2023.
There is a status level: Fly or spend enough with REX to jump from Opal to Sapphire, Emerald or Diamond status. Earn 1 Status Point per dollar spent and earn perks such as free lounge membership and extra legroom seats.
Status perks are launching in February 2024. Program registration is free and a startup promotion includes a joining 5000 bonus points. REX doesn’t yet have international operations or long-range aircraft – and the associated reward seat demand – the carrier is still keen to make REX Flyer points as easy to redeem for flights as possible.
There are three reward seat options in each cabin. In order of increasing cost, flexibility and availability, those are Ultimate, Getaway and Anytime.
Members can also upgrade Boeing 737 flights to Business Class with points.
Ultimate rewards require the fewest points but have the most limited availability. Getaway rewards are roughly 30 per cent pricier than Ultimate rewards but have more seats available.
Anytime rewards are considerably more expensive in points but offer any-seat availability.
Reward seat and upgrade amounts are tied to specific published cash fares. This means they can change in line with published fare changes.
But they won’t vary on a day-to-day basis.
REX IT&C general manager Mayooran Thanabalasingam said that reward seat numbers won’t change frequently.
“We purposely picked fares that are not subject to frequent changes. Our published fares are reviewed periodically and may shift up or down based on the competitive landscape,” he explains.
What’s most interesting about REX Flyer is the ability to snag great-value Ultimate reward seats close to departure.
REX Flyer promises that nearly every unsold seat can be booked with points at the lowest rate. Starting in February 2024, here’s how it works:
At 48 hours before departure: All unsold Economy seats (except five) will be available as an Ultimate reward.
At 24 hours before departure: All unsold Business Class seats (except two) will be available as an Ultimate reward.
From midnight on the day of departure: All remaining unsold seats will be available as an Ultimate reward.
REX already has partnership agreements with Delta Airlines, Cruise and travel companies.
The airline will roll out new airport lounges in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with construction commencing imminently.
It is expected that REX will form new partnerships and product offerings including banks, credit unions and insurance. A REXflyer app is to be released and the frequent flyer – aviation loyalty industry believes that there will more announcements at that time.
Another bonus is REX Flyers will also see their reward points doubled for bookings made by January 2, regardless of the date of travel. REX launched their Melbourne-Hobart route in August at $79 one way and last week REX announced it is adding a second daily Boeing 737 flight between Melbourne and Hobart for the Christmas and New Year holiday season.
REX will operate two daily flights between December 18 and January 21, 2024. There is no news regarding increased flights to King Island, however those flying with REX can take advantage of the new program, route linkages and benefits as they are rolled out.