Czech Airlines has made changes to the OK Plus frequent flyer program to extend mileage expiration and has added several member benefits. Czech Airlines OK Plus frequent flyer program members now have 36 months instead of 24 to redeem miles for award travel before accumulated miles expire and the same 36 months to take a flight operated by Czech Airlines to maintain account activity and keep miles from expiring. The miles of OK Plus Silver, Gold or Platinum members will not expire as long as elite status is maintained. In the past, these members miles expired after 24 months.

While credit card activity alone will no longer extend mileage expiration, as long as the minimum monthly spend associated with each individual co-branded card is met, the miles of Czech Airlines co-branded credit card holders will not expire. Be aware, however, if for any month, you do not meet the spending requirement, your miles will expire like a member without a credit card.

Other changes include that members will no longer be able to earn miles on flights that are not operated by a SkyTeam alliance partner or an OK Plus contracted partner. Czech Airlines was one of a few airlines that allowed you to earn miles for flights marked with the OK carrier code that were not operated by a SkyTeam alliance or OK Plus partner airline. The exception to this new rule are select flights operated by Smart Wings to and from Barcelona, Rome and Tel Aviv purchased under the OK carrier code.

Airport lounge access for OK Plus Gold and Platinum cardholders has been extended to include member access regardless of whether they are traveling on a Czech Airlines or SkyTeam alliance member flight. For more information on the changes to the OK Plus program visit http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?11544

Bottom line: Overall, this is good news for OK Plus members, especially extending the validity of miles.