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Following a successful trial, Easyjet has today announced it is to formally launch a new frequent flyer programme called, rather wonderfully, Flight Club.

The trial was reportedly well-received by passengers during the trial period, with around 15,000 passengers putting it to the test in the last 18 months.

Passengers will qualify for Flight Club membership if they fly with EasyJet 10 times or more over a 12 month period, or spent an as-yet-undetermined amount on easyJet flights.

Full details will follow nearer the launch date, with Flight Club scheduled to be rolled out in early 2016.

But doesn’t easyJet already have a frequent flyer programme?

Yes and no. Although some greeted it as such, I’ve never really bought the idea that easyJet Plus is a “frequent flyer scheme”. Yes it offers certain travel perks, but for me the crux of any proper loyalty scheme is an “earn and spend miles/points” option.

However, easyJet does of course offer an “earn and spend points” option, at present. You can both earn and spend Nectar points with easyJet. Indeed, I have racked up a small fortune in Nectar points through easyJet flying, and given that they don’t appear on cashback sites, it’s a good way to get a little bit more for your money with easyJet.

What are the benefits of Flight Club?

Flight Club members will receive a range of benefits and features including:

• Fee free flight changes

• Free name changes – up to five name changes per year

• Price promise – If a passenger subsequently finds their flight on easyjet.com at a lower price, they’ll get the price difference towards their next flight.

• Previews and special offers – members will be the first to know what’s coming up so they will receive exclusive previews of new routes and special offers

• Dedicated contact centre team – to access the benefits

It’s not clear whether the tie-up with Nectar will continue, although there’s no obvious reason to think it will not. In the absence of the Nectar arrangement being integrated into the scheme, it leads to the slightly odd position of someone potentially being a member of a frequent flyer programme with an airline and being able to earn points on the flight, but not through the frequent flyer programme.

Interestingly, easyJet’s developments in the loyalty scheme area have, it is rumoured, prompted a look at this potentially lucrative area by Ryanair Holdings plc. A Ryanair frequent flyer scheme? Not as far off as it sounds, perhaps although probably a card you want to keep at the very back of your wallet.

(Thanks to Michael)