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Low-cost carrier Norwegian Air updated its
But even if you don't reside in the Nordics, you'll want to know what has changed. We'll break down the updates and explain why this loyalty program is worth knowing, especially if you plan to travel throughout Scandinavia.
More Flights, More Status
As part of the update, Norwegian introduced five clearly defined membership levels, starting with Member, making it easier to track your progress toward new benefits.
And it's that simple. For every eight qualifying flights you take with Norwegian Air, you'll earn a higher level of elite status with its loyalty program, Norwegian Reward. Eligible flights on Wideroe, Norwegian's sister airline, also count, although government-subsidized routes (PSO routes) are excluded.
Here's how many qualifying flights you'll need within 12 months to reach each status level:
- Member: 0 flights
- Traveller: 8 flights
- Bronze: 16 flights
- Silver: 24 flights
- Gold: 32 flights
Before we get into the benefits, a quick note about Norwegian's
Traveller status unlocks:
- 2 extra Spenn points per euro spent on flight bookings or 2% extra CashPoints.
Bronze and Silver status unlock:
Once you reach Bronze, you can choose one benefit from the following list. When you hit Silver, you can pick a second. Once activated, your selected benefits are locked in for 12 months.
- Fast Track airport security at select airports
- One free checked bag (up to 23 kilograms)
- Free overhead cabin baggage
- Free standard seat reservation
- Extra Spenn or CashPoints earnings: Increase your bonus earnings to 4 extra Spenn per euro spent on flights or 4% extra CashPoints. Choose this benefit again at Silver to earn up to 6 extra Spenn per euro or 6% extra CashPoints.
If you don't choose a benefit, Norwegian automatically assigns free checked baggage at Bronze and free standard seat reservation at Silver.
Gold status unlocks:
Gold status, which requires 32 flights, is where the program gets really interesting. Once you've completed 32 qualifying flights within 12 months, you'll unlock all the benefits listed above, including those you didn't choose at Bronze and Silver. Plus, you'll get a handful of exclusive Gold perks:
- Priority boarding
- Priority customer service
- Free hot drink onboard
- Avis President's Club status
- No expiration for eligible Spenn or CashPoints while you maintain Gold status
- Free seat reservation, including premium seats
- Airport lounge access when flying Wideroe
Other Specifics
Layovers count! That means a round-trip Norwegian Air itinerary with one connection each way would count as four qualifying flights toward elite status. Do this eight times in a year, and you'll have Gold status.
For reference, a one-way, late-October trip between Oslo and Stockholm with a layover in Copenhagen was priced at a little over $150:
Keeping your Norwegian status appears to be equally easy, too. Norwegian notes that “as long as you have enough flights, you'll retain your level for one year from your last qualifying flight.”
“We want to give our customers even more back for choosing us, and it will now be clearer and more motivating to climb the tiers,” Norwegian CEO Geir Karlsen said in a prepared statement.
Our Take
A low-cost carrier with an enticing loyalty program is not something to overlook, especially in a region of the world as captivating as Scandinavia.
With Norwegian, you don't have to navigate the complex math involved with earning airline status — every eight flights with the airline moves you up a tier. Period.
Have you flown Norwegian Air before?
