Working with Loyalty programmes

For many, the main objective of such schemes is to accumulate mileage or hotel nights in an effort to travel on leisure. In reality, a relatively small amount of the free travel on offer is actually used. In Europe, the low-cost airlines have created fares that make the hassle behind securing free flights almost obsolete.

Look at the letters column in most travel related magazines and, invariably, someone is complaining about how unfair a frequent flyer programme is.

The PA or travel arranger, however, should turn such membership cards to their advantage by making life easier and speeding up the travel booking process.

Virtually every airline, outside the low-cost operators, offers a frequent flyer programme or is linked to one of the alliances such as Qualiflyer or Oneworld.
It is wise to keep a record of a frequent travellers loyalty cards and this information should be passed on to the travel management company.

When booking, if the frequent flyer membership number is to hand it should enable the travel booker to:

• secure preferred seating
• obtain priority on waitlists
• use a designated number for making and changing reservations

At the airport the traveller will usually be able to avoid queues at check-in, make use of lounges and enjoy priority boarding.

Nowaday, most flights on participating airlines qualify for mileage towards free flights and it should be checked with the loyalty club concerned which other airlines offer free travel to holders of the same card.

Credit may also be made towards complimentary car hire or upgrades, free hotel accommodation, discount holidays and days out to tourist attractions. Many companies have considered making it compulsory for free mileage to be handed back to the organisation for business travel but such an arrangement is virtually unmanageable, especially as free mileage may also be accumulated outside the workplace, such as on utility bills, petrol and credit cards.

Many carriers, especially those in the United States, offer a facility for passengers to upgrade their class of travel in exchange for mileage points. This can often be very cost effective. Similarly, arrangements may be made for a companion to travel free of charge.

The British Airways Executive Club has an arrangement with American Express credit cards whereby on spending over £20,000 a member may take a companion free of charge when a ticket is paid for using Executive Miles.

OAG Travel Planner provides a list of the various programmes available, along with contact details and web addresses. A more in depth survey and helpful advice is available on www.frequentflier.com

Hotel frequent stay cards also feature in a traveller’s wallet. One of the most useful is the Priority Club card offered by Six Continents. Holders of such cards can expect room upgrades, points towards free accommodation and priority wait-listing when a hotel is fully booked.

Hilton Honors offers special rates to their members as well as the opportunity to collect points on meetings and conference bookings.

Top Tips

• Advise the travel management company of card details
• Use the priority booking line when contacting airlines and hotels
• Check on special offers through the airline and hotel websites
• Make sure every booking is backed by with the loyalty card number
• Some frequent flyer points have limited validity; don’t lose them
• Use the card to secure priority on room and seat wait-lists
• Keep the traveller advised of which airline lounges may be used
• Watch out for upgrade opportunities on car hire