The brazilian airlines GOL and Azul are reportedly once again discussing a potential merger that promises to transform Brazil’s aviation market. According to various sources, negotiations have resurfaced and could culminate in an announcement by the end of this year! Even with just a preliminary version of the agreement.

The expectation is that, if the merger is confirmed, regulatory procedures and the approval of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade) would only take place next year. However, the government has reportedly already been informed about the potential merger and acquisition between the companies, marking the resumption of talks, which had been interrupted during Azul’s debt renegotiation process with its creditors.

The union of Brazil’s two main airlines could result in reduced competition and greater market concentration. Experts estimate that this merger could lead to price increases on domestic routes and fewer flight options for passengers.

Codeshare, Smiles and Fidelidade

GOL and Azul began operating a codeshare agreement on domestic routes in Brazil during the first half of 2024. This partnership covers all domestic routes operated exclusively by each airline, meaning that routes operated by both GOL and Azul are not included in the codeshare.

The agreement also extends to frequent flyer programs, allowing members of Azul Fidelidade and Smiles to earn points in their preferred program when purchasing flights included in the codeshare agreement.

GOL Smiles vs. Azul Fidelidade: Key Differences

GOL Smiles excels with a wider range of international partners, particularly in SkyTeam, as well as pooling miles through family plans and the Smiles&Money feature for flexible redemptions.

On the other hand, Azul Fidelidade is strong in domestic Brazilian travel with its expansive network, Star Alliance-related partnerships, and unique features like the free stopover program.

Feature	GOL Smiles	Azul Fidelidade	Key Differences and Unique Features
Program Tiers	4 Tiers: Smiles, Silver, Gold, Diamond	4 Tiers: Basic, Topázio, Safira, Diamante	Similar tier structure, but tier names differ.
Point Expiry	Points expire in 3 years (standard)	Points expire in 2 years (standard)	Smiles offers a longer point expiry period by 1 year.
Earning Miles	Earn miles based on distance flown and fare class (on GOL and partners). Can also earn through credit card spend, hotels, car rentals, etc.	Earn points based on fare class and ticket value (on Azul and partners). Can also earn via credit cards, shopping, hotels, etc.	Smiles ties miles more closely to distance, while Azul Fidelidade focuses on ticket value.
Points-to-Miles Conversion	Can convert points from Smiles credit card partners (e.g., Santander, Bradesco)	Can convert points from multiple credit card partners (e.g., Itaú, Bradesco)	Both programs offer broad conversion options from financial partners.
Partnerships (Airlines)	Extensive SkyTeam partnership (Air France, KLM, Aeromexico, Delta) and other partners like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Copa Airlines, Aerolíneas Argentinas, and more.	Partners include United Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and other Star Alliance members (though Azul is not an official Star Alliance member).	Unique to Smiles: Strong SkyTeam and Gulf partnerships (Emirates, Qatar). Unique to Azul: Star Alliance-linked partners (United, TAP).
Upgrade Availability	Miles can be used for upgrades on GOL and select partner airlines	Offers upgrade availability on Azul flights with points	Unique to Azul: Azul’s broader regional presence means upgrades are more accessible on domestic and regional routes.
Elite Status Benefits	Priority check-in, boarding, extra baggage, lounge access (GOL lounges and SkyTeam partners), bonus miles on flights	Priority check-in, boarding, extra baggage, lounge access (Azul domestic lounges, United lounges for elite members), bonus points on flights	Unique to Smiles: SkyTeam lounge access globally. Unique to Azul: Lounge access with United.
Points Pooling	Available through Smiles Family Plan, allows pooling of miles with family members	Clube Azul offers benefits but no family pooling option	Unique to Smiles: Smiles Family Plan allows miles pooling.
Reward Booking Flexibility	Can book award tickets on GOL, partners, and various non-flight rewards (car rentals, products)	Can book award tickets on Azul, partners, and products (shopping with points)	Both offer non-flight rewards, but Smiles has a broader partner airline redemption scope.
Unique Features	- Smiles&Money option allows partial payment with miles and cash - Smiles Family Plan for pooling miles - Extensive range of international airline partners	- Clube Azul subscription allows faster accumulation of points - Strong partnerships with Star Alliance-linked carriers - Unique Stopover in Brazil feature allowing free stopovers on domestic Azul flights	Unique to Smiles: Smiles&Money option and Family Plan. Unique to Azul: Clube Azul and stopover feature.
Stopover Program	No formal stopover program	Offers free stopovers on Azul-operated flights within Brazil	Unique to Azul: Free stopover option on domestic routes.
Lounge Access	Lounge access for Gold and Diamond members at GOL lounges, partner lounges like SkyTeam	Lounge access for Safira and Diamante members at Azul’s domestic lounges, and United lounges internationally	Smiles provides broader lounge access internationally through SkyTeam, while Azul offers domestic and United-specific lounges.
Credit Card Partnerships	GOL Smiles credit cards (Santander, Bradesco) provide accelerated mile accumulation	Azul Fidelidade credit cards (Itaú, Bradesco) offer accelerated point accumulation	Both offer strong partnerships with banks, with similar benefits.
Subscription Program	Smiles Club: Subscription service that gives bonus miles, exclusive promotions, discounts	Clube Azul: Subscription program offering monthly points, discounts, and faster tier progression	Unique to both: Both have subscription programs, but with different structures for rewards and benefits.
Flight Network Focus	Strong domestic and regional presence, focus on South America and SkyTeam routes	Largest domestic network in Brazil, strong partnerships with Star Alliance members for international routes	Azul’s dominance in domestic routes gives a wider range of regional flights, while GOL offers more SkyTeam international options.

Stay On Top Of Your Points And Miles

AwardFares lets you find GOL Smiles and Azul Fidelidade award flights in seconds, and with just a few clicks. You can try it for free. With our Gold and Diamond tiers, you can access premium features such as unlimited daily searches, alerts, seat maps, flight schedules, and more!

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