Avios as a gateway to the world — Six Finnair Plus members’ favourite ways of using our loyalty currency
As of March 2024, Finnair Plus adopted a new loyalty currency called Avios. In this Blue Wings story, we get to meet Finnair Plus members Hwije, Ifijenia, Jani, Sanni, Jessi, and Adrian, who use Avios to embark on and enhance their international adventures, all according to their own lifestyles and travel preferences.
Hwije – Unlocking the world with Avios
Originally from Busan, South Korea, Hwije now calls Riga, Latvia, home. Since becoming a Finnair Plus member in 2016, Hwije has been a frequent traveller, balancing fun adventures in Europe with trips to see family back in South Korea. "I’m juggling a busy career in the media industry while pursuing a master’s degree, but whenever I find time to travel, I become a true world explorer!" he says.
Over the years, Hwije has explored more than 60 countries — from witnessing the Northern Lights in Ivalo to basking under palm trees in Los Angeles and savouring the rich cuisine of his homeland, South Korea, Finnair and its oneworld partners have been his gateway to the world.
Being a Finnair Plus member offers numerous perks that make Hwije’s travels smoother. As a frequent flyer between Europe and Asia, his favourite way to use Avios is on award flights, allowing him to reunite with his friends and family more often. "The friendly staff, both on the ground and in the air, along with Finnair’s excellent on-time record, give me peace of mind when I’m heading to see my loved ones," Hwije shares.
Hwije’s top tips for using Avios revolve around shared benefits and smart shopping. "By transferring Avios between Finnair Plus accounts, you can gift your loved ones memorable travel experiences or, on the flip side, top up your balance for that dream trip!" he explains. He also advises keeping an eye on the Finnair Plus website for discounts on purchasing Avios. "With bonus Avios, you can save money and get even closer to your next adventure," he suggests.
Ifijenia – Sharing the joy of award flights with her son
As a Finnish-Greek woman who has lived not only in between Finland and Greece but also in China and Japan, Ifijenia has visited up to nine countries in a year. She works as a career coach and lives in Finland with her 5-year-old son, and the duo travels frequently together.
Travel has always been an essential part of Ifijenia's life, and she hopes to pass on the joy and excitement of travel to her son as well. "I love city breaks and archaeological sites, while my son prefers beaches and waterparks," she describes. Using her Avios for Finnair award flights, Ifijenia has made several trips to the Nordic and Baltic countries. "This summer, Avios made our long-awaited midsummer trip a reality as we travelled to Billund, Denmark, to visit Legoland," she shares.
Ifijenia reminds that Avios can also be collected and used in a variety of services. "For example, I've collected Avios by staying at Strawberry hotels and used Avios to buy movie tickets," she shares. She has also used Avios for travel extras on her trips, such as adding extra baggage or selecting her preferred seats on flights.
Jani — living life to the fullest with Avios
Jani is always on the move. He thrives in his fast-paced job as a service expert and team leader and leads an active lifestyle filled with sports and, whenever time allows, travel. He lives in Finland with his partner and two cats but has visited 42 countries over the last 15 years. "Most of my days off are spent travelling, and people often ask if I’m ever at home or work," he laughs, describing his action-packed lifestyle.
As a traveller, Jani is not picky — whether it’s city breaks, beach holidays, or even cruise trips, he’s eager to explore different places and cultures, try new foods, and, of course, add another pin to his travel map. His trips are well-planned and filled with detailed itineraries, allowing him to maximize his time and make the most of each destination." I always buy a magnet for my fridge from every place I visit, and there’s still room for more," he says.
Jani primarly collects Avios by using his Finnair Visa Credit card, available in Finland, for all purchases. Although he has occasionally used Avios to upgrade his travel class, he typically sticks to his original ticket type and uses Avios for in-flight purchases. He often uses Avios to pay for travel extras and to treat himself to the selection of meals and beverages during the journey.
He also values the option to pay with a combination of Avios and money. "This is especially handy when you want to buy access to the airport lounge for yourself and your travel companions," he explains. Jani also offers a tip regarding GoGift gift cards: "When you purchase a gift card, it opens up a whole new range of products not directly available in the Finnair Shop,” he recommends. Finally, Jani reminds of an opportunity that he feels like is easily forgotten: “Avios can be used to pay for lunch or dinner in many places using the Epassi app in Finland,” he shares.
Sanni — Enhancing a life of purpose and travel with Avios
Sanni, a Finn living in Toronto, is working in her dream job with the Canadian Red Cross. "Life is very fulfilling when you feel like you're making an impact on something bigger than yourself," she describes her passion. Flying is an essential part of Sanni’s work, but it can also add an extra layer of stress. This is why she values airlines that prioritise safety and on-time performance.
Travel has been a significant part of Sanni’s life since she was young. She has always been curious about what’s around the next corner and has always been tempted to leave her comfort zone. As soon as she had the opportunity, this curiosity translated into action, both in her personal life and at work. Nowadays, boarding a Finnair flight feels like coming home to her. With Finnair and its vast network of alliance partners, Sanni feels like she can literally reach the whole world.
Sanni believes that Finnair Plus and Avios make flying experiences even better, adding value at every stage of the journey, from reservation to arrival. "I benefit from Avios even when I’m not directly flying with Finnair, as Avios offers opportunities to explore services like hotels and car rentals. I also use Finnair Shop to treat friends and family with gift cards I've purchased with Avios," she shares.
Jessi and Adrian — Avios fueling a shared passion for Japan
Jessi and Adrian are a couple who share a deep passion for Japan and the Japanese lifestyle. Jessi is a hairstylist with a couple of international clients, while Adrian is the CEO of a company that sells yarn worldwide, including in Japan.
Jessi and Adrian both grew up immersed in Japanese culture and traditions, and their appreciation for the country is visible in their daily lives. The couple enjoys cooking Japanese food, watching Japanese films, and listening to Japanese music. "One of the reasons we’re so in love with Japan is also its incredibly diverse nature," they explain. Japan can also be seen in Jessi’s life in the form of art. "I love bringing my favourite manga characters to life, whether it was on paper, through digital art, or in my original creations," she shares.
Given their deep connection to Japan, the couple tends to spend all their free time in this vibrant country. "Being a Finnair Plus member makes our long-haul flights very comfortable," Jessi says. The couple primarily use their Avios for seat reservations and lounge access. They also think Finnair offers the best route for them, with the shortest travel time and minimal jetlag.
Jessi and Adrian also have a special recommendation to share. "We encourage everyone to try Finnair’s signature "Northern Blush" drink 40,000 feet up in the sky — not to forget the cheese platter!" they add.