What are loyalty programs in airlines?

  • Jul 18, 2024
What are loyalty programs in airlines?

Loyalty programs in airlines are those that involve the use of certain cards by airline companies to award their customers with privileges.

Frequent flyer programs are reward programs provided by an airline for accumulating points to gain a tendency to patronize that airline rather than others. Such programs can offer several hours, free tickets, or other privileges depending on the number of flights that have been made with the airline or the total cost of tickets purchased.

A look at how airlines loyalty programs work

Airline frequency programs are usually accompanied by membership accounts when an individual registers to become a member of a certain airline. Every single time that you travel with an airline or take their services, you can accumulate miles or points. At other times, you may also be able to earn miles when making purchases with a linked credit card or partner hotel.

The more points or miles you have earned over time, the higher the membership level you are likely to qualify for. This means that higher tiers will afford or offer more privileges and benefits. Miles do not fade as long as the account holders are used periodically and at least once per year.

benefits of the highest membership tiers typically include:

  • Services that can be classified as being of high precedence include waitlisting, check-in, boarding, baggage services, and seating upgrades.
  • Lounge access
  • The flexibility in terms of waiving fees for alteration and/or cancellation of bookings
  • More mileage rewards per flight
  • Free bumps to higher classes
  • Seat allotment and special airfares

The miles or points accumulated in your account can be used to obtain free flight tickets or used partially to pay for tickets and other services provided by the airline. Many of them also permit one to cash in the miles for other privileges such as free accommodation, free car hire, gifts, etc.

Top airline loyalty programs

Some of the most popular airline loyalty programs in the world are:

Delta SkyMiles The program is given by Delta, which is one of the largest international airline companies. It is possible to add up flying with Delta or similar airlines such as Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and the members get to earn their miles. There are special features such as upgraded facilities for elites, club access, and priority seating. Miles don't expire.

United MileagePlus Mileage Plus for United Airlines currently boasts over 75 partners across the Star Alliance network. This is true for premier members who are accorded privileges such as an extra bag allowance, Economy Plus seating, lounge access, and priority boarding. The points earned can be used to reserve award flights on any of the partners.

American Airlines Advantage program This loyalty program partner for earning and redeeming miles is more than one thousand. Preferred members have privileges such as priority in boarding, use of lounges, and priority seating. The Advantage program has four elite tiers: Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum. The accounts remain active and the miles do not expire as long as the account holder signs up to transact at least once every 18 months.

Emirates Skywards The highly acclaimed Skywards service permits a member to earn miles flying Emirates’ extensive route map. Other forms of compensation include MPC accumulation via co-branded credit cards and other parties. Privileges vary with membership class and consist of club airport lounge privileges, special services, excess baggage allowance, and guaranteed seating for Economy Class travel. The stated miles are usable for a maximum of 36 months from the date that they are issued.

Why the Avian Loyalty Program?

Earn free flights. This is the primary advantage The best thing about this is that it is very simple to use and requires very little effort from the user. It is possible to use the accumulated miles and points for an award flight. At times, such certificates can also be exchanged to upgrade to premium classes within airplanes.

Get priority services and airport perks: Higher tiers entitle one to priority waitlist check-in, excess baggage, airport standby, and priority lounge access. This makes the entire airport encounter a lot easier.

Enjoy special rewards and savings: Membership in a loyalty program creates chances to indulge in elite privileges such as special fare, special hotel/car rental, wear, and gift cards.

Complimentary services: Some of the benefits that are available in many programs include free change or cancellation fees for the highest membership levels; the possibility to select and pay for preferred seats without any charges; and priority baggage delivery service.

Recognition and personalized services: What is more, you can become a part of this service with an elite status that will make your business valuable. The employees of airlines are also aware of the loyalty program and are assigned to deal with members of the upper tier.

Ways to accumulate loyalty program points or miles in a faster manner

Consolidate spending: It is recommended to provide a loyalty account number while booking flights directly with the airline to maximize miles accumulated. If through a third-party platform, share the details later to credit.

Leverage co-branded credit cards: To this end, utilize airline-affiliated credit cards, which enable a proportion of the spending to accrue for mile credit. Pay your bills and debts using your cards on time.

Take advantage of bonuses and promos. For example, having a promotional offer such as bonus miles for a specific period (seasonal bonus), or double or even triple the number of miles accumulated per flight, hotel stay, and other services, aids in increasing the accumulation of the same from flights, hotel stays and other services.

Fly more on key routes: Some of them are more specific and in high-demand routes, they may add more in terms of the number of miles. Always select flights that do not have connecting points, particularly on the most popular routes such as New York-London, Los Angeles-Sydney, Chicago-Hong Kong, etc.

Book upgradeable fares: The best fares to choose from are the flexible, upgradeable economy class fares that address the modification issue; such fares earn 50%–100% more miles than the discounted ones.

Different prospects for airline loyalty programs

As much as there are advantages associated with airline loyalty programs, the latter is still in the process of development. Following the bankruptcies of large airline companies, customers have concerns concerning policy alterations as well as the effect on the accumulated miles acquired over the years.

Some emerging aspects include:

  • They are adding nontravel partners that cover lifestyles including online retail, dining, streaming services, etc. to allow for earning more miles through spending.
  • Move from the single-minded goal of incentivizing loyal business travelers to not only include leisure travelers who fly frequently but also other occasional passengers.
  • Flexible exchange rates for points in place of fixed point redemption rates, based on flight flexibility and popular routes and seasons, etc.
  • They need to look at newer rewards based on sustainability, social responsibility, supporting local communities, etc., in addition to the benefits based solely on transactions to attract young travelers.

However, airline loyalty has not lost its significance for travelers, as it offers the chance to achieve better results and make flying more affordable and comfortable through the use of miles. Even so, incorporating it persists to be advantageous for frequent and recurrent flyers.

Book your American Airlines ticket now and experience comfort and reliability. Call +1 833-902-2090 to speak with our travel experts.