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11/03/2026 Insurance Innovation
Wanda by Avios is the UK’s first loyalty-native travel insurance, including unique protection for any Avios used in bookings, via a loyalty ecosystem-led distribution model - redefining how insurance is designed, delivered and monetised.
Innovation details
Country
United Kingdom
Category
Product & Service Innovation
Keyword
Customer experience, AI & Generative AI, Strategy & Business model, Travel Insurance, Embedded finance & Super apps
Business Line
Health Insurance
Distribution Channel
Online / Direct, Partners

Innovation presentation

Wanda by Avios was created to reimagine travel insurance for the loyalty economy.

Today, millions of UK travellers fund flights and holidays using Avios, yet traditional travel insurance policies treat loyalty currency as invisible. At the same time, the market remains heavily commoditised, dominated by price comparison, rigid exclusions and slow claims experiences.

Wanda was built to address both challenges - introducing protection for loyalty-funded travel while modernising the insurance experience.

Developed by IAG Loyalty in partnership with insurtech Open, Wanda combines startup agility with enterprise reach. The proposition introduces Avios Protect®, an industry-first feature enabling customers to insure and reinstate up to 500,000 Avios per person when trips are cancelled or curtailed - reframing loyalty points as insurable assets.

Wanda also challenges traditional rigidity through enhanced cancellation flexibility. With Cancellation Flex on top-tier policies, customers can recover up to 70% of prepaid trip costs even for change-of-mind scenarios (if cancelled up to 48 hours before departure) - going beyond conventional exclusions.

Operationally, Wanda delivers rapid flight delay compensation and fully digital servicing, reducing friction and stress at the moment disruption occurs.

Distribution follows an ecosystem-led model. Wanda is primarily offered through owned loyalty channels - including avios.com and the Avios app - reaching high-intent travellers within a trusted rewards environment. It also leverages comparison platforms such as MoneySuperMarket to ensure broad market access and scalability.

Since launching in July 2025, Wanda has protected more than 50,000 travellers and surpassed £1m GWP within six months — validating demand for a loyalty-integrated, digitally native model of travel insurance.

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