The Different Ways to Earn Kenya Airways Asante Rewards Points

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.

Earning Asante Reward points

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.

 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.

 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.

Earning points with partners

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.

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 City Hopper flights with flight numbers from other SkyTeam members. Each sector offers at least 500 points.

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 various tiers and benefits

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:

Ruby: None

Silver Elite: 50%

Gold Elite Plus: 75%

Platinum Elite Plus: 100%

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.

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.

Source: Simple Flying

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Our success story begun in 2018 as a travel agent company and through collective efforts we have grown to become one of the leading airlines in Kenya. We take pride in our commitment to putting our customers first and providing them with a unique and exceptional experience from our services.

Our dedication in deploying safe, reliable, and quality services through teamwork has enabled us to successfully operate scheduled flights to Wajir, Mandera, Mogadishu and Juba among others with approximately 110,000 passengers flown to all our destinations over the past 2 years. I Fly Air’s main goal is to serve our clients. We will continue striving for excellence and we remain devoted in taking I Fly Air to the next level with the purpose of creating an enduring legacy in the industry.

Explore our routes from Wilson Airport to Wajir and Mandera daily and from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport weekly to Mogadishu and Juba.

Travel with us today by contacting our 24/7 call center on 0740 100 100 or book your ticket online www.ifly.co.ke Choose us and Fly with Class, Comfort and Convenience. We are the Wings of Africa!

Kenya’s Jambojet starts direct flights to Zanzibar.

The Government of Zanzibar through its Indian Ocean Island Minister of Infrastructure, Communication, and Transport, Khalid Salum Mohamed, has also announced Kenya-based budget carrier Jambojet will start direct flights to Zanzibar and Mombasa.

“Considering Zanzibar’s 2050 Vision of enhancing the blue economy and increasing the number of visitors to our island, the expansion of infrastructure is essential to help achieve our goal and is a current national priority,” Khalid Mohamed told press.

The maiden flights will start on July 1, 2024, with the Jambojet carrier flying four times a week between the two destinations tourist hubs. Initial fares are set at a starting at roughly $113 for a one-way ticket.

It is expected that the budget airline will increase the number of tourists and business travelers entering Zanzibar significantly.

As it gears up to celebrate its 10th anniversary, Jambojet Managing Director and CEO Karanja Ndegwa said the decision to establish this new route is driven by the increase in demand as well as the ambition to unlock commercial opportunities in the region.

“Since inception, Jambojet has been focusing on connecting people in the underserved or unserved routes,” commented an official from the company.

In a similar move, Zanzibar is now in talks with the Saudi Arabian government with a plan of introducing direct flights to Zanzibar from Riyadh city.

“Direct flights from Saudi Arabia to Zanzibar will be a big opportunity to boost trade and strengthen relations. It will also help ease transport for pilgrims to and from Mecca,” commented Zanzibar State Minister, Office of the President, Constitution, Legal Affairs, Public Service and Good Governance, Mr Haroun Ali Suleiman.

With the increase in direct flights to and from the spice islands, Zanzibar is enhancing its global appeal as a top tourist destination of choice for holidaymakers.

Direct flights are aslo an impetus for economic development through increased trade and also serve to boost regional and international relations.

Source: The Exchange

Businesses Reconsider Travel Amid Cost-Cutting and Environmental Concerns

Business travel has changed for thousands of workers, thanks to COVID, cost-cutting and environmental worries.

That’s according to a Sunday (Feb. 25) Financial Times (FT) report, which says some big companies in the U.S. and Europe have stopped allowing nonessential trips, while many business travelers are taking longer trips to reduce the need for repeat visits.

“You have to have a real story behind the trip to have it approved now,” one London-based banker told the FT. Another said that senior staff are traveling nearly as regularly as before the pandemic, while junior employees have seen trips cut back.

Elsewhere, companies are changing the way they travel, often with an environmentally conscious goal in mind, the report said.

For example, the American pharmaceutical company Parexel has a travel policy that encourages staff to go by train instead of by air when possible. In Germany, where the firm has more than 750 employees, 96% of domestic trips are now taken by train.

Still, the report notes that business travel isn’t dead, with global bookings coming to 70% of 2019 levels in October 2023, compared to 63% in April, according to survey data by the Global Business Travel Association.

Lawyers and bankers still hit the road to close deals, sales reps still value face-to-face meetings, and many industries cannot function without moving large numbers of workers.

Last month, United Airlines said that it was looking to the return of business travel to provide an industry-wide tailwind.

“Domestic demand remains strong with increases in business traffic volumes year over year,” said United Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella, adding that the airline is “particularly bullish about what Asia looks like going forward.”

“We’ve all sat on calls and predicted the recovery of business traffic more times than I can count over the last few years,” he said. “And I will say Q4 was OK. It wasn’t spectacular in any way. But as we started January in the new budget season, for all of our big corporate clients, we did notice a significant step up.”

Delta CEO Ed Bastian noted a similar corporate travel recovery during that airline’s earnings call in January.

“We are seeing continued improvement in the corporate sector,” Bastian said. “We had a number of laggards, tech being the largest, and we’re finally starting to see tech companies traveling again as a result of return to office, the consultancies as well. We are seeing it across the board. The auto and entertainment sectors have rebounded nicely following the strikes in the fourth quarter.”

Source: PYMNTS

Russia and Tanzania to Open Direct Flights

Tanzania and Russia are planning to open direct flights, and an agreement to this effect is planned to be signed in the near future, Tanzania’s Ambassador to Russia Fredrick Ibrahim Kibuta told the media, Sputnik reports.

“We are in the final stages of signing an agreement of mutual understanding and cooperation between our airlines in order to organize direct flights from Russia to Tanzania, even from St. Petersburg there will be direct flights,” he said.

The ambassador also expressed hope that this will boost the flow of Russian tourists to the African country, as until recently Russians were actively traveling to Tanzania.

Kibuta further noted the existing need for direct flights between the countries.

“In fact, there is a need for direct flights, and we have requests from very different directions about organizing such flights,” the diplomat said.

Source: VMT News  

Kenya exempts Ethiopia, South Africa from e-travel authorization fees

Kenya has begun twitching its online visitor registration service that policymakers wanted to use to ease travel into the country, but which saw some countries complain of high charges.

And now, the Department of Immigration and Citizen Services says citizens from Ethiopia and five other countries will not be required to pay the $30 per traveller charged when visitors apply to come to Kenya.

The fee is often paid online via the portal www.etakenya.go.ke after the government launched the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in January. According to the department, citizens from the Comoros, Congo-Brazzaville, Eritrea, Mozambique, San Marino and South Africa will also no longer be charged when filing for eTA applications.

The department said these are “countries which had concluded visa abolitions agreement or signed bilateral visa waiver agreements with the Republic of Kenya.”

The five had signed visa exemption deals in the last one year. Their exemption from eTA began on February 15, Immigration said in response to a Business Daily inquiry on Wednesday.

Bacha Debele, the Ethiopian Ambassador to Kenya had on Monday told Ethiopian nationals wishing to travel to Kenya to file free applications for ETA, which remains mandatory.

“My heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Government of Kenya for its prompt response and kind decision to remove Ethiopian citizens from Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) related electronic payment requirement,” he said.

“We kindly inform our citizens that they can enter Kenya without any requirement for visa and its related payment, but the requirement to fill eTA form online before arrival, remains mandatory.”

Ethiopia is among the earliest countries to sign visa exemption pacts with Nairobi, with its agreements being in place for the last five decades. But while Kenyans only need valid passports to travel to Ethiopia, Ethiopians had been, for the last two months, required to pay $30 for ETA applied for at least 72 hours before arrival.

The system has generated complaints, especially from countries that routinely do not demand visas from Kenya. The new changes are part of ongoing consultations with foreign partners to improve it, a source told the Business Daily on Wednesday but gave no timelines on when the review will be completed.

While it was launched to ease travel and visa application processes, critics argued the $30 fee is a visa by another name.

Immigration said applications for eTA will still be pegged 72 hours before arrival.

“An Issued eTA is valid for travel to Kenya within 90 days from the date of issue.”

However, it may face another question from critics who say the eTA application is not flexible, especially if one adjusts travel times or needs emergency travel.

As it is, East African Community member states will be exempt from applying for ETA and can travel as long as they have valid passports or national identification.

Source:  The East African.

Celebrating Collaboration: KATA’s Perspective on the Visit of Jordanian Minister of Tourism

Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) warmly received a special invitation to a dinner in honor of the official visit by Jordanian Minister of Tourism, Makram Mustafa Queisi. Among the esteemed attendees were Dr. Joseph Kithitu, Chairperson of KATA, and CEO Nicanor Sabula, alongside John Chirchir, CEO of Kenya Tourism Board (KTB).

The visit of Jordanian Minister of Tourism presents an exciting opportunity for both Kenya and Jordan. The emphasis on “mutual growth” and “enriching experiences” suggests a collaborative approach that benefits both tourism industries. This could involve joint marketing campaigns, exchange programs for tourism professionals, and the development of multi-destination itineraries combining the unique offerings of both nations.

At its core, tourism serves as a bridge between people and nations. This partnership has the potential to promote global understanding and appreciation for different cultures and environments. By fostering connections between individuals, it creates lasting memories and friendships beyond borders. KATA is committed to ensuring mutual collaboration between Kenya and Jordan, facilitating seamless travel policies and enhancing the partnership between the two nations.

In celebrating this collaboration, KATA looks forward to the shared prosperity and cultural exchange that will enrich the travel experiences of visitors from both Kenya and Jordan.

Why you need a Professional & Certified Travel Agent

More often than not, the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) receives complaints from travelers who are victims of holiday scams after having purchased fake air tickets or fake holiday packages from unscrupulous travel agents.

The reality is that while it was widely predicted that the internet was going to ease travel by providing tons of information on available flights, fares, destination, safari packages, hotel bookings and literally everything a consumer needs in planning their travel, when digital tools were placed at every traveler’s disposal, chaos ensued. It also gave rise to sophisticated internet scammers that have swindled innocent consumers their hard-earned money and dream travel experiences.

Very often, the association will be hand tied in dealing with such complaints making it hard to assist the innocent complainants. We urge members of the public to ensure that the deal with KATA certified agents who have been vetted and tried in the market. They are bound by an ethical code of conduct and ethics the binds their dealings with clients on integrity and professionalism.

Other than assuring you of safety of your money, KATA certified travel agents bring tons of expertise in managing travel not only in Kenya but to global destinations.

Individual Travel Planning Vs Using a Travel Agent

Let say you want to book a hotel in Sandton, South Africa for Meetings Africa 2024 and want to do it on your own? It’s simple. Just type “Hotels in Sandton, South Africa” on Google search, then wade through the 520 million search results – most of which look the same, whether they are good or bad, legit, or bogus. Spend just 10 seconds each vetting sites, and you’ll be done in four years – and still won’t have booked anything.

Let’s take a much simpler planning, like straightforward searches for airfares for example for Nairobi to Toronto. The major search engines will routinely leave out lots of flights and even entire airlines. You will also be bombarded with terrible options starting with basic economy fares that come with tons of restrictions and fees, so the price you see isn’t the one you end up paying, along with connections way too short or way too long, ones that no responsible travel agent would let you book.

Amid this jamboree of information, chances are a huge percentage – that could be well close to half – could be phony. There has been an unprecedent rise in fake travel agents that look legit by every measure; impressive website, competitive packages, a physical location together with photos, fake reviews, fake receptionists etc. An initial search on the internet clears all doubt from a potential traveller that the agency/site could be a sophisticated scammer. You can’t believe how easy it is to get scammed online.

Let’s face it; a great holiday experience anywhere in the world will depend on how well you can architect the whole thing. From transport to accommodation, there are tons of things and options to consider. And in all honesty, trying to put together such an experience while relying on your own misguided sense of expertise without the help of a professional travel agent is simply foolish. This is where a KATA certified travel agent comes in to take away all the hustle, help you with your budget and give you a pleasant travel experience.  

Why a you need a travel agent

Anything that can go wrong will go wrong: Emergencies do happen and for every average occasional traveller who anticipates that anything can go wrong, chances are something will always go wrong. Stuff happens, and are often unpredictable. Bad weather has become a commonplace these days, you could get sick, get robbed, or be caught in those events that will disrupt your flights, and/or your final destination. Think civil unrest, disease outbreaks, wildfires or airline labor strikes.

Anything that causes cancelled flights means hassles, but the people who get through this process the most smoothly and the ones who get rebooked first are usually the ones who used a travel agent. The rest will get bumped from flight to flight – involuntarily – at a rate probably three times higher than what you would have paid.

KATA agents will always be a call away.

Travel agents are constantly monitoring their clients’ flights and they usually know about your problem before you do – and often have a solution before you even call them. They have direct access to airlines, to GDS (global distribution system) and can get ticketing changes made in minutes.

So, as much as you’d want to hope on a cheap flight that you found on your internet searches, you probably would not know what to do when caught in these situations without the help of a travel agent.

Unrivalled expertise: You can never know everything about travel, even if you are a frequent traveller. You need to deal with someone who is deeply involved in the industry, and who better than KATA certified travel agents? The problem with travellers who get scammed, they often rely on information they get from phony sites that will often be misleading. The result is you get scammed or land a raw deal. Some travelers will want to play safe and only stick to know brands of hotels or airlines or destinations that they know. Chances are, the best hotels, airlines and destinations are ones you have likely never heard of or used. This is where you can’t beat KATA travel agents’ knowledge and ability to give you a bespoke travel and holiday experience. The agencies usually leverage several experts such as a safari expert, a cruise expert, a corporate travel expert, a honeymoon expert, and so on, and they all work together.

First lane access: Whether you are trying to book space at a coveted 8-villa safari lodge in Laikipia, Kenya or getting a room in a top South Africa hotel during the Meetings Africa 2024, most hoteliers keep emergency inventory and guess who gets it? The travel agents they have known for years who book a lot of guests and send them a lot of business. This is the order of things in the travel industry. Do you need access to that hard-to-get dinner reservation? Free upgrade to first class? Or a free upgrade to the presidential suite? The KATA travel agent is your go-to person as they have built these connections over years or decades. Good luck trying to get that experiential travel on your own. When you get more than you expected for the same price, that’s a great deal, and with our certified travel agents this happens all the time.

Travel with confidence and book your next trip through a KATA certified travel agent by visiting this link:- https://katakenya.org/our-members/

Proflight Zambia and Air Tanzania Forge Seamless Travel Experience with Interline Agreement

Proflight Zambia, Zambia’s leading commercial airline, has unveiled an exciting development in its quest to enhance passenger connectivity and travel options. The airline has officially entered an interline ticketing agreement with Air Tanzania, a strategic move aimed at providing passengers with access to new destinations and a seamlessly integrated travel experience within the region.

This innovative partnership facilitates a streamlined ticketing process, enabling travelers to effortlessly book itineraries that span both Proflight Zambia and Air Tanzania, all within a single ticketed journey.

Captain Josias Walubita, Director of Flight Operations at Proflight Zambia, expressed enthusiasm about the agreement, emphasizing its goal to deliver cost-effective and flexible travel options for passengers utilizing the services of both airlines. He stated, “We look forward to enhancing passenger experiences across both airlines’ routes.”

Eng. Ladislaus Matindi, Managing Director of Air Tanzania, highlighted the benefits of choosing their airline. He pointed out that passengers opting for Air Tanzania would become part of the largest network family, gaining access to improved connections and convenient travel options within Zambia’s domestic routes and four major cities: Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town.

As the interline agreement takes effect, passengers can seamlessly book journeys that involve both Proflight Zambia and Air Tanzania flights.

Looking ahead into 2024, Proflight Zambia plans to introduce discounted fares for itineraries combining the two airlines. Examples include routes like Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg via Lusaka. These fares will be accessible through Proflight Zambia’s official website and Global Distribution System (GDS).

 Source: Airspace Africa.  

Kenya Airways Expands Flights to Nigeria: A Leap Towards Pan-African Unity and Tourism.

Kenya Airways amplifies its flights to Nigeria, offering daily services and strengthening Pan-African unity. The airline introduces an online e-visa application process and signs a codeshare agreement with Air Europa, expanding access to European and American destinations. Despite challenges, Kenya Airways remains committed to forging alliances and growing tourism.

On the cusp of a new era in African connectivity, Kenya Airways has announced its intention to increase flights to Nigeria, offering daily services to the nation. This strategic move, unveiled by the acting Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Samuel Mogere, during the Magical Kenya roadshow in Abuja, is set to fortify tourism between the two countries.

Currently, the airline operates four weekly flights between Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. With the proposed expansion, Kenya Airways aims to strengthen its commitment to Pan-African unity and support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, a vital initiative designed to stimulate long-term growth across the continent.

A Symphony of Progress: Kenya’s Expanding Horizons.

In addition to the heightened flight frequency, Kenya has introduced an online e-visa application process, streamlining travel for individuals wishing to visit the nation. This digital transformation signifies a pivotal step in Kenya’s ongoing efforts to boost tourism and facilitate seamless travel experiences for its visitors.

As the second-largest airline in East Africa, Kenya Airways serves 41 international destinations in 35 countries. The airline holds the distinction of being the first African national carrier to successfully privatize in 1996, a testament to its enduring legacy and relentless pursuit of progress.

Forging Alliances: A Network of Opportunities.

In a bid to enhance access to European and American destinations for passengers traveling to and from East Africa, Kenya Airways recently inked a codeshare agreement with Spain’s Air Europa. This partnership is poised to open up a world of possibilities for travelers, fostering increased connectivity and collaboration between nations.

However, the road to progress is seldom without its challenges. In a recent episode, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority banned Kenya Airways flights from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, in retaliation for Kenya’s refusal to permit cargo flights from Air Tanzania to land in Nairobi. Nevertheless, Kenya Airways remains undeterred in its mission to forge ahead and build a robust network of alliances.

The Journey Ahead: A Vision for Unity and Growth

As Kenya Airways sets its sights on raising tourist arrivals from West Africa, it is gearing up for roadshows in Nigerian and Ghanaian cities, including Accra, Abuja, and Lagos. The airline currently operates regular direct flights into these three cities, with other airlines also connecting Kenya to these bustling hubs.

The partnerships between the Kenya Tourism Board and the private sector are crucial in realizing its goals of improving tourism arrivals into Kenya. The upcoming roadshows, scheduled for February 5 through 9, 2024, will bring together over 400 travel trade companies and present an invaluable opportunity for the Kenyan trade to engage with West African travel agents and tour operators. By showcasing its diverse range of products and services, Kenya hopes to forge new partnerships that will drive growth and solidify its standing as a premier tourist destination.

In the grand tapestry of African unity and progress, Kenya Airways stands as a beacon of hope and determination. As it continues to expand its wings and reach for the skies, the airline remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering unity, boosting tourism, and creating opportunities for growth and collaboration across the continent.

Source: BNN