ClubAvolta is the new name for Dufry’s frequent shopper program. It was previously called Red By Dufry and currently offers free status matches from most airlines and hotel programs (read more here). You can also get a Radisson VIP Tier (read more here).
You might be surprised at how many airports Dufry handles duty-free sales under various local names, like today when I’m departing from Casablanca (and writing this from Starbucks).
You can access ClubAvolta’s status match here.
When I traveled to Latin America in early January, a friend in Brazil asked me to bring them a Tom Ford perfume, so I decided to test ClubAvolta before departing from Barcelona.
Linking With Partner:
You can earn British Airways & Iberia Avios, Finnair Plus Avios, or Radisson Rewards points for purchases at select European airports. You can also earn 250 bonus Avios by linking your account with British Airways or Iberia and making your first purchase.
The account linking with BA was relatively straightforward.
I had to approve the linking by logging into my Executive Club account.
The linking was successful, and the ClubAvolta app showed my Executive Club balance.
Ordering With ClubAvolta App
There was a 40% discount for Reserve & Collect, while the app elsewhere indicated a 20% discount due to being a Platinum member.
You need to input some basic information, such as your preferred pickup date and where you are traveling. To use this Reserve & Collect, you need to place the order 24 hours before.
You can browse the products, but it seems that they are not allowed to show the discounted prices upfront. You need to add them to your basket first (the same applies to some Amazon shopping).
The discounted price is shown on the cart.
And I did check the going price for this product, and it seems that this 180 euros is likely the suggested retail price.
You do not need to pay for the purchase on the app; it just prompts you to have the required documents and payment card with you when you pick it up.
You are then presented with the order confirmation. It took roughly 12 hours for the order to change from pending to pickup. I place it 48 hours before the scheduled departure.
ClubAvolta Barcelona Duty Free Pick Up Experience
I have been through Barcelona-El Prat numerous times, but I had no idea that Dufry also handled duty-free sales there.
You will see the ClubAvolta branding immediately upon entering the departure hall from the security check.
There was a pickup desk behind a pillar, and it was a bit difficult to see at first.
The lady working at the desk was able to find the order using the order number.
You are then “offered” to pay an extra 3.99%, but I obviously chose Euros. At least the spread was disclosed here.
The item was then sealed and put inside a plastic bag for airport security purposes.
ClubAvolta Points + Avios
The transaction added 500 or so ClubAvolta points into my balance, and the 5K are from the status match. I am not sure what to do with these, as they appear to serve no other purpose than to determine your status with the program.
I was surprised, but the Avios for this transaction were posted quickly after the pickup. I received a 250 bonus for linking the accounts and 1 Avios for each euro spent on the purchase (108).
ClubAvolta Status Match:
ClubAvolta (Previously Red By Dufry) Free Status Match Through February 28, 2025
Radisson VIP Tier From ClubAvolta:
Easy Radisson Rewards Status Match Through ClubAvolta
Conclusion
It is funny, but I have started to see these purple ClubAvolta branding at most airports I have transited in the past couple of months, including this morning in Casablanca.
First, I was pretty skeptical about whether you could save anything using this membership, but at least it worked as intended at the Barcelona Duty-Free last month and shaved 40% off that Tom Ford fragrance.
This was btw the same product that was stolen the other year from my checked luggage when I was flying from Galapagaso to Santiago, and Copa ended up paying up everything: Compensation Clinic: Pilferage From Delayed Luggage (Avianca & Copa)
What have been your ClubAvolta experiences? Please comment below.
