Numerous Benefits of Airline Frequent Flyer Programs

Added: 06/08/2006

An airline frequent flyer program is a service provided by a number of airlines to reward customer loyalty. Travelers enrolled in these programs usually accrue points that correspond to the distance flown on the airline. These points, known also as frequent flyer miles can be then redeemed for free air travel, services and goods, or air travel benefits, like priority bookings or airport lounge access. The first, as well as the largest frequent flyer program is AAdvantage, launched in May 1981.

The best way to obtain points in an airline frequent flyer programs is to book flights with a particular airline. The majority of systems
reward customers with a specific number of points based on the distance, though these systems can vary. For example, a number of European airlines offer points per flights irrespective of the distance. The method can become even more complicated with additional points rewarded for flying first or business class, and fewer points offered when choosing discounted air travel. With the introduction of code-share flights and airline alliances, airline frequent flyer programs are extended to allow benefits used across partner airlines.

A number of programs give points not only for flying, but also for renting vehicles from participating companies or staying in participating
hotels. Among other methods are credit cards offering points to charges made to the card; and systems allowing restaurant visitors to earn
points by dining at particular restaurants.

Airline frequent flyer programs can also differ on expiration points: some of them empire after a fixed time, while the others do it if the
account is inactive for extended period. There also exist many airline frequent flyer programs identifying travelers, who fly many times per
year, by providing them with various status levels. This, in turn, offers a variety of benefits available this way only. Status levels generally
vary from one scheme to the other, while benefits include access to first and business class lounges with economy tickets; increased mileage
accumulation; reservation of an unoccupied adjacent seat; advantage to reserve specific seats; priority in flying standby; and more. Some
airline frequent flyer programs even allow elite members to reserve seats on sold-out flights. Offered by a number of airlines is the accelerated admission to their elite programs through diverse promotions, like flying at least 25,000 miles within one month gains a membership reserved for travelers flying over 100,000 per year.

Since the early 1990s, US major airlines have sold millions of miles to partners, including hotel chains, car rental companies and credit cards
who offer this currency as incentive to purchase their products and services. Banks have always been a vital source of airline financing,
namely Juniper Bank (US Airways), Bank One (United Airlines), and American Express (Delta Air Lines). Today as ever, US airlines honor miles held in accounts of acquired airlines. Thus, the members of TWA Aviators program were converted by American Airlines to its own, and Air Canada did the same for Canadian Plus program members of Canadian Airlines. The Delta frequent flyer program, known as Rapid Redemption, allows travelers to redeem their frequent flyer miles for free tickets while purchasing the latter at a Delta ticket office or by phone. However, there is a $60 charge for this service. It is also possible to exchange frequent flyer miles for upgrades at no extra charge. Required by Delta are 30,000 miles for a free US domestic ticket in their frequent flyer program.

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