Avelo PLUS launches at $49, adding perks and shared benefits
Avelo Airlines unveiled Avelo PLUS, a low-cost membership program priced at $49 for the first year that promises member-only fares, free priority boarding, and year-round promotions. The plan includes a $50 Avelo Cash bonus at renewal and lets members extend benefits to as many as nine fellow travelers on the same reservation. Avelo framed the program as a response to customer requests for added value as the carrier expands across the U.S. and Caribbean.
Key points
- Why it matters: New $49 membership aims to cut airfare and add day-of-travel perks.
- Travel impact: Priority boarding and member fares can reduce total trip time and cost.
- What's next: Deliveries of Embraer E195-E2s begin in 2027, supporting growth.
- Members can share benefits with up to nine people on the same booking.
- $50 Avelo Cash bonus applies when the membership renews.
Snapshot
Avelo PLUS launches with five headline benefits: member-only low fares, free priority boarding, access to special promotions, a $50 renewal bonus, and the ability to share perks with up to nine people on the same reservation. The first-year price is $49, with subsequent years listed at $99 unless canceled. The carrier positions the plan as a straightforward savings tool rather than a traditional points scheme, which should resonate with price-sensitive travelers who value upfront discounts over complex accrual charts. For budget-minded families and groups, the shared-benefits feature is the standout, enabling one paid member to extend value across an entire itinerary.
Background
Avelo entered the market in 2021 with an all-Boeing 737NG fleet and a strategy built around secondary airports and nonstop routes. The airline now serves a mix of U.S. and near-international leisure destinations, including Jamaica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. In September, Avelo placed a landmark order for up to 100 Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, with first deliveries slated for the first half of 2027. The E2's economics and short-field performance align with the carrier's small-airport focus and could unlock additional city pairs. As low-cost rivals iterate on boarding and ancillary models, such as Frontier's expanded groups, Avelo PLUS adds a membership lever to compete on simplicity and immediate savings. Travelers should compare total trip cost, including seats and bags, when deciding.
Latest developments
Avelo PLUS membership details and how it stacks up
At launch, Avelo PLUS is a paid membership rather than a mileage program, emphasizing instant value. During the first year, members get access to lower fares than the public site, free priority boarding, and year-round member-only promotions. On renewal, Avelo credits a $50 Avelo Cash bonus, effectively offsetting half of the $99 second-year fee. Crucially, benefits apply when the member is traveling and can be shared with up to nine people on the same reservation, a notable differentiator for families and friend groups planning beach or theme-park trips. Compared with other ultra-low-cost carriers experimenting with process tweaks and perk bundles, Avelo's approach favors clarity and shareability over tiers and points, reducing friction at booking and at the gate. For deeper context on competitive moves, see Frontier updates boarding groups with seven tiers.
Analysis
For price-driven travelers, the math is straightforward. If member-only fares routinely beat public prices by even a modest amount per ticket, a family of four can recoup the $49 first-year fee in a single round-trip, especially when paired with free priority boarding that shortens time spent in the line and improves carry-on space odds. The $50 renewal credit signals Avelo's intent to keep members engaged into year two, effectively lowering the ongoing cost to $49 if travelers apply the bonus toward flights. Operationally, the program's simplicity should help gate agents by reducing gray-area eligibility disputes; the member must be on the reservation, and benefits extend to up to nine companions. Strategically, coupling Avelo PLUS with the 2027 arrival of E195-E2 aircraft could widen the network and multiply occasions to use the perks, particularly from short-runway or underserved airports. Travelers, however, should still compare total trip price, including seats and bags, across carriers, and consider schedule reliability and airport convenience alongside fare savings. For broader demand trends that may affect pricing power and promotions in 2025, see U.S. travel forecast: International decline in 2025.
Final thoughts
Avelo PLUS is a clean, value-first membership that favors immediate savings and practical perks over points bookkeeping. The $49 first-year fee is easy to justify for couples, families, and groups planning even one or two trips, thanks to sharable benefits and a renewal credit that cushions the second-year price. With E195-E2 deliveries slated to begin in 2027, the network's growth could further increase the program's utility. If you travel Avelo's routes and want lower fares without loyalty complexity, this is a compelling option to consider under Avelo PLUS.