Frequent Flier Programs: A Bird's Eye View In one month, you rack up thousands of miles in the air. You silently stand in security lines for yet another TSA screening at yet another airport on yet another long travel day. You try to relax in a plane with never enough leg room and uncomfortable seats. Another report filed for lost luggage. You know you'll receive it on the last day of your trip anyway - just in time to return home with a suitcase full of clean clothes and one well-worn suit.
Why do you do it? Frequent flier miles for business travelers are what ease the pain of the daily inconveniences of airline travel.
According to Frequentflier.com, frequent flyer programs date back to 1981, when American Airlines launched AAdvantage. Now more than 80 million people participate, making frequent flyer programs the most pervasive and successful marketing programs ever developed.
Below is a birds' eye view of a few frequent flier programs and excerpt of benefits:
The original travel rewards program 25 year strong, American Airlines' rewards frequent travelers with free air travel. AAdvantage members earn miles each time they purchase an eligible published-fare ticket and fly on American Airlines®, AmericanConnection®, American Eagle® or any of more than 21 airline partners. Bonus miles are also accrued for flying on eligible purchased-fare, American Airlines Business Class or First Class ticket. Non-travelers can also rack up points through 35 hotel partners representing more than 75 brands and all seven major car rental agencies. Free flight rewards (economy seating) begin at 25,000 points.
OnePass members automatically earn the actual miles flown or a minimum of 500 miles on every eligible flight. OnePass also offers non-flight partners to up the accumulation of points, and opportunities to purchase VIP travel packages and products. OnePass bonus point goes to their "No Middle Seat Guarantee" when purchasing an eligible full fare. If you end up in a middle seat, you are rewarded with an additional 2,500 OnePass miles.
Points again are based on actual mileage, with two different levels of service. However, Delta's programs have four levels of membership: general, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medallion® membership, earned when travelers fly more frequently. Tiered membership gives frequent flyers benefits like special check-in privileges and mileage reimbursement toward flexible travel dates.
JetBlue's travel program is quick and efficient. Points, not miles, are earned according to the length of your flight, grouped into three categories: short, medium and long haul. For example, short flight from JFK to Buffalo, NY earns 2 points, and long from JFK to Oakland, CA earns 6 points. Online bookings earn double points. When you accrue 100 points, you get a free flight, although points expire after 12 months.
Accrual is based on number of miles with four membership levels: base, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Your membership level is determined by the number of Elite Qualifying Miles you accumulate within a calendar year, automatically upgraded to next level once accrued. At 25,000 miles, points can be redeemed for free flights.
One of the simplest rewards programs, Southwest uses points instead of actual miles as basis for free flights. Each one-way trip equals one point. After 16 points or 8 roundtrips, travelers get a free flight to any U.S. destination of their choice, along with drink coupons to ease the stress of unassigned seats.
Another reward program with reportedly over 100 worldwide partners, from flights, hotel stays, credit card purchases, phone calls, groceries and more. Mileage Plus members earn 100 percent of their actual miles flown on any flight with United or its airline partners, 25,000 miles earns a free economy class flight anywhere in the continental United States. Mileage Plus members also earn 150 percent of their miles towards Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) status.
For a more detailed list, including international carriers, Frequent Flier provides a more comprehensive list with direct links.