Frequent Flyer Programs: A Quick IntroductionCategory: Travel & Holidays
Article added by: Paul Collins
Although to international businessmen they probably seem like they’ve been around forever, the frequent flyer program actually only dates back to 1981. A type of loyalty scheme rewarding airline passengers for the amount of miles they covered over the course of a year, it was, quite simply a great business idea.
And as is the case with great business ideas, it wasn’t long before everyone else had caught on, too. Frequent flyer programs multiplied in number so quickly that before very long they’d become the norm, with more than 80 million travelers worldwide involved in one scheme or another.
What Are the Advantages?
Depending on the status of the frequent flyer program in question (which in turn is dependent on how much the traveler flies) the advantages can be numerous. For starters, there’s the access to several different airlines’ lounges, which can often be gained on an economy ticket.
Upgrades to a higher class are more readily available, and are often, indeed, discounted or free. Many frequent flyer programs also allows members to not only reserve a specific seat (such as front row seats with more legroom) but also to reserve a seat next to their own for a fellow traveler.
But for the hectic business traveler, one of the most important aspects of frequent flyer programs is the priority members are given in wait-listing and on flying standby, as well as the promise that, even in the event that the flight has been oversold, they will not be ‘bumped’.
Which Airline to Choose?
As you’d expect from the founding father of the frequent flyer scheme, AAdvantage is still one of its leading exponents. Their range of programs include: Gold (more than 25,000 miles flown in a calendar year), Platinum (50,000 miles) and the super-exclusive Executive Platinum (100,000 miles).
Furthermore, American Airlines AAdvantage miles do not expire, as long as a member has been involved in some sort of mileage-earning AAdvantage activity on at least one occasion over the course of the last three years.
Another great deal is provided by Qantas: their earning points calculator is pleasingly transparent and their ‘awards flights’ (those flights on which points can be used up). In reality, though – from British Airways to Aer Lingus and Singapore Airlines – all the major airline offer some sort of incentive, and it’s really just a case of figuring out which one suits you best.
Travel Companies offering Frequent Flyer Programs
But frequent flyers don’t solely have to depend upon long-haul global airlines – or indeed around airlines at all. There are plenty of companies in Europe – from travel websites to credit card companies – that operate frequent flyer programs.
One such, that’s relatively unknown among English-speakers, is Logitravel.com. They offer their Spanish-speaking (along with Italian and Portuguese) customers a compelling frequent flyer program on their range of vuelos Madrid Londres (flights from Madrid to London) and vuelos Barcelona (Barcelona flights), along with the rest of their flights.
All of which goes to show that in these uncertain economic times, there’s one thing that will help lessen the financial strain on businessmen, and that’s frequent flyer programs.
Posted By: Paul Collins
Contact: e-mail
| About the Author: |
| Paul Collins is a travel writer and lover of all things Spanish. As a result of his many and various vuelos Madrid Londres - or flights from Madrid to London! - he’s accumulated loads of points with frequent flyer programs. |
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