This is actually a familiar name to many of our readers – Club Avolta is the loyalty program of the international duty-free retail group Dufry, formerly known as Red by Dufry. They ran a status match promotion last year, and it’s now back again.
- Free to apply
- Supports a wide range of hotel and airline loyalty programs
- Mid-tier or higher hotel status is sufficient (e.g. Hilton / Accor / IHG / Marriott Gold)
- Eligible members can match to Club Avolta Platinum status, valid for 12 months
Although the status is valid for 12 months, I believe you are only required to make 1 purchase to extend it. In fact it’s been many years since I got mine and I was never downgraded, and I’ve maybe done like two shops.
The main benefit of the Platinum tier is a 10% discount at all Dufry-operated duty-free stores worldwide. If you are based in or frequently visit Europe, you’ve probably seen their World Duty Free shops everywhere.
Another perk: free access to the Aspire Lounge at Zurich Airport.
There was previously a promotion that allowed direct status matching to Radisson Rewards VIP status, but that’s currently paused. Fingers crossed it will come back in the future.
Last year I was downgraded and when I complained they told me that I did not have the 5000 points necessary to continue platinum. This appears in the terms and conditions, (4.1. https://www.clubavolta.com/terms-conditions ) but at the same time in the FAQ they inform that by making one purchase a year you renew your status.
Luckily, the status match that I did last year and was approved, helped me become platinum again.