Tuesday, 10 April 2012

Looking Inside Frequent Flyer Programs

By Greg Tilley


Airlines know the price of getting a new customer. They also know that keeping the customers they already have is easier and less expensive. For this reason, airlines started frequent flyer programs. The more you fly, the more you'll be rewarded with these programs.

You'll receive certain travel benefits from these frequent flyer programs depending on the number of trips or miles you fly on a specific airline. A free ticket or a free upgrade from coach to first class are included in the standard awards.

Some airlines also offer "elite" programs that provide check-in and boarding priorities, and "affinity" credit cards which earn mileage credits when you use them for purchases. You must become a member of that airline's program in order to earn these benefits and you can often do this through a travel agency.

There isn't a how many programs you can join. You should compare different programs carefully before deciding which program to join.

Airline programs carry limitations and conditions. Therefore, reading the promotional material and fine print carefully is important. Take a look at these few things you need to consider:

Minimum credits earned per flight and the credits earned at a certain rate.

Are you more interested in companion tickets, free tickets for yourself, or upgrades?

How much credit you need for the awards you're interested in

The deadlines for accumulated credits

You should find out if the airline serves the cities you're traveling to and if it has tie-ins to hotels, car rentals, and other airlines that you may be using.

Can you transfer the awards to someone else or is it just members only?

Making changes any time is a right that the airlines have. Most of the time, it's done without notice. This can include changes to the conditions and limits on the awards earned.

Keeping track of the mileage you've earned and checking it against the statement that is mailed to you by the airlines is what you should do.

The airlines adding new routes after you join the program is not uncommon. You may have credits on that route but you can't use the awards.

It's also important to be aware of the fact that airlines usually restrict the transfer of mileage earnings. It's the attempted sale of credits or awards that you've earned. You shouldn't try this because the airlines have caught on to these schemes.




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