Most of the airline authorities have opened up Frequent Flyer Programs or FFP to attract more travelers. Those travelers, who fly frequently, usually avail these programs and save lots of money on their journey expenses. These programs not only cut down the cost of the tickets, but also provide other benefits like assured ticket reservation, access to airport lounges.
Offers on cards for frequent flyers
The airline companies offer
Airline Frequent Flyer Programs or FFP to reward customer loyalty. Airline customers enrolled in the program accumulate points corresponding to the distance flown on that airline. Gained points (also known as frequent flyer miles) can be exchanged for free air travel, goods and services, or for increased benefits, such as airport lounge access or priority bookings. As for example flyers can avail KrisFlyer, the loyalty program of Singapore Airlines to save 40% on the usual miles required as fees.
Some of the best frequent flier programs (FFP) offer several benefits to customers, which are listed below:
- Entree to business and first class lounges with an economy ticket
- Entree to other airlines' lounges
- Increased mileage accruement (such as doubling or tripling)
- Reserving an unoccupied adjacent seat
- The facility to reserve specific seats
- Free or discounted upgrades to a higher travel class
- Priority in wait listing or flying standby
Frequent Flyer Program -An experiment tried out in 1980
Western Airlines in California started the first frequent flyer program in June 1980. Western Airlines’ "$50 Travel Pass" was at first planned between San Francisco and Los Angeles, one of the most traveled routes in the world that time. Passengers could gather up numerous passes as they desired and used them to purchase their tickets. This initiating program was so profitable, that Western Airline instantly started this program to more than a twelve destinations. In 1981, American Airlines made the first computer based FFP called AAdvantage.
Added information on Frequent Flyer Program
To be a member of the Frequent Flyer Programs in airline companies, one can conveniently enroll online. Most of the memberships are free. Even the minors (aged above 2 years old) can register for FFP. But, these FFPs are rarely open as a family membership or a joint account. They are mostly open to individuals. These membership programs are available mostly for 1 year and they can be renewed once the 1-year membership expires.
For further information on Airline Frequent Flier Programs, you can check the following links:
Adria Miles and More
Aeroflot Bonus
Air Canada Aeroplan
Air France Flying
Air New Zealand Airpoints
Alaska Airline Mileage Plan
Alitalia MilleMiglia
Aloha Airlines AlohaPass
American Airlines Advantage
ANA Mileage Club
Asiana Club
Austrian Airlines Miles and More
British Midlands Airlines Diamond Club
Blue1 Eurobonus
British Airways Executive Club
Cathay Pacific MarcoPolo Club and Asiamiles
Continental OnePass
Delta Airlines Skymiles
Emirates Skywards
Finnair Plus
Iberia Iberia Plus
Japan Airlines JAL Mileage Bank
KLM Airlines Frequent Flier
KLM Flying Blue
Korean Air SKYPASS
LAN LanPass
Lufthansa Miles and More
Northwest Airlines Worldperks
Quantas Frequent Flyer
SAS Europlus
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
South African s Voyager
Spanair Plus
Sri Lankan Skywards
SWISS Miles and More
TAP Victoria
Thai Royal Orchid Plus
United Airlines Mileage Plus
US Airways Dividend Miles
