The research highlights the disparities between frequent flyer schemes across 19 airlines including British Airways, Flybe and Virgin Atlantic, and compares the different tiers within the schemes, qualifying requirements, the benefits and rewards, as well as the terms and conditions.
With recent reports questioning the value of air miles and some airlines introducing changes to their policies, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com) has compiled a comprehensive guide comparing frequent flyer schemes across all major airlines.
The research highlights the disparities between frequent flyer schemes across 19 airlines including British Airways, Flybe and Virgin Atlantic, and compares the different tiers within the schemes, qualifying requirements, the benefits and rewards, as well as the terms and conditions.
The different levels available on the schemes are mostly earned through obtaining a certain number of miles or points, however some airlines, such as Delta Airlines, require the flyer to have spent a certain amount annually on flights (medallion qualification dollars), in conjunction with miles or points. Other air carriers also require a certain number of flights to be made in addition to air miles with Air France, for example requiring 25,000 level miles and 15 one-way flights on their Silver scheme, 40,000 level miles and 30 one-way flights on their Gold scheme and 70,000 level miles and 60 one-way flights on their Platinum scheme. Moreover, some airlines including Aer Lingus and Etihad, state that miles and points have to be earned within a certain time frame, usually 12 months.
All of the airlines surveyed were also found to allow flyers to earn points through the use of a frequent flyer scheme credit card. Some airlines, as in the case of Flybe and Iberia, impose time stipulations, claiming that in order to earn points to qualify for one of the schemes, card users have a year in which they have to retain a certain number of points, or their card will expire. In most cases, the credit cards have a validity of one year; however Virgin Atlantic is shorter, at nine months.
Most of the airlines offer similar benefits to frequent flyer scheme members, including priority check-in and priority boarding across all tiers; however some airlines, such as Air France, also offer personalised luggage tags in their lowest level, the Flying Blue Silver scheme. The vast majority of aviation companies offer lounge access on their higher level tiers, however members of KLM and Iberia frequent flying schemes are also guaranteed entry to lounges on lower level flying scheme tiers. For travellers looking for a VIP service, airlines such as Etihad and Iberia also offer free chauffeur services for their most frequent flyers, with Iberia even offering a complimentary limousine service from the airport.
When discussing terms and conditions, some airlines, including Cathay Pacific and British Airways, stipulate that membership is limited to individuals who are 18 years of age and above, whereas others allow membership for anyone aged two and above.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
