Airpoints no more? Air NZ announces rebranding - 1News
The airline's chief commercial officer Scott Wilkinson said Koru was a "simpler programme with clear, relevant benefits".
tvnz-1-news-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.comHere’s what I can share about Air New Zealand’s koru rebrand status based on the latest available public information up to now.
- The loyalty program transition from Airpoints to Koru was announced to take effect from April 2026. This marks a significant refresh of the program with new naming, tiers, and benefits intended to be more customer-friendly while preserving core earning dynamics (Airpoints dollars and status points).[4][5]
- Early reporting highlighted that Koru would introduce a top tier called Koru Black and would map existing member status into the new structure, aiming for a simpler, clearer experience that aligns with member feedback (simpler benefits, clearer value).[2][3]
- Industry coverage and practitioner commentary noted that rebranding loyalty programs can affect member equity and attachment to the existing brand, though airlines emphasize continuity of earning and redemption across the transition.[2]
Quick snapshot of what changed and what to expect:
- Name change: Airpoints loyalty program becomes Koru from April 2026, with a new branding identity meant to feel more distinctly Kiwi.[4]
- Earning and benefits: Members keep earning Airpoints dollars and status points, with an internal mapping to the new Koru tiers; some benefits may be renamed or reorganized (e.g., a new tier like Koru Black) but core earning mechanics remain intact.[2][4]
- Member communication: The airline stated it has listened to member input to simplify the program and ensure the benefits are clear and relevant to travelers.[2]
Illustration
- Timeline: Announcement of refresh leads to April 2026 rollout, with ongoing communications about tier mappings and benefit clarity for current Airpoints members transitioning to Koru.[4]
If you’d like, I can pull in the latest press releases or member communications from Air New Zealand’s newsroom or RNZ coverage to confirm exact wording and any updates beyond April 2026. I can also summarize potential implications for frequent flyers based on recent industry analyses. Would you like me to do that?[4][2]