Business class, miles and other perks: all insides about frequent flyer programs
Why should you listen to me?
Hi, my name is Valeriia. I am 20 years old and I am a member of the frequent flyer program with Aeroflot Russian airlines. I became a member five years ago when I first moved from my home country, Russia, to Switzerland. Since then I have bought at least 20 tickets with my miles, paid for the hotels with miles at least twice, and I also upgraded my class of service with my miles almost every time I travel. For a person like me, who practically lives on the plane, it is not only a lifesaver, it is a convenient time saver as well. Below you will find a short introduction to the frequent flyer program and why you should definitely use it!
Why become a Frequent Flyer Program participant?
Surprisingly, many often flying passengers do not get airline loyalty cards (and I am not even talking about regular bank cards with the option to collect miles for flights). A lot of people are not sure why would they need miles and what are these "miles." There are two main arguments for it: rational and emotional. From a rational point of view, it can partially reimburse you for your flight with miles. If you fly at least five to seven times a year, then you can get at least one bonus ticket and save on hotels by paying with your accumulated miles. Also, almost all airlines provide a list of special services for their frequent flyers, for example; a line-free check-in and an extra luggage allowance. From the emotional point of view, the pursuit of miles, bonuses, and status is an exciting game with its own rules and tactics, which I will tell you more about below. This is not a coffee shop loyalty card where you get a free coffee or an old brownie every five stamps, very valuable prizes are at stake here. Do not neglect this opportunity. Join the loyalty system of all the airlines you fly or choose the one you use the most and use all the benefits that they provide.
Travelling in comfort. Image credit: gify
How does it work?
To understand the system, you need to get yourself familiar with these three main concepts:
• Qualification miles (status points) are accrued for flights by the airline and its certain partner airlines. These miles can be then used to change from one status to another and are not affected by your transactions, like buying a ticket with miles.
• Non-qualifying miles (bonus points) are awarded for using the services of the airline and its partner companies of the loyalty program, as well as for other special offers and promotions. These miles can be used to buy tickets, pay for hotel rooms, upgrade your class, and even to gift to a friend.
• Flight segments (flights) are equal to the number of take-offs and landings (a flight with one connection counts for two segments) by the airline and, sometimes, its partners. These segments can also be used to change from one status to another.
Different airline terms may vary, but their loyalty programs are always based on these three concepts.
Saving unused non-qualifying miles is possible. It will depend on the specific rules of the airlines, but in general, the logic is as follows: for miles to be burned, you must not fly at all for three years.
Qualification miles and flight segments that affect your loyalty card status however, will get set to a zero at the end of each year. There are four levels of loyalty: regular, silver, gold, and platinum. Tou get to the next level when conditions are met at the end of the current year (for some airlines with a small “tail” after). There is no such thing as a platinum status for life. You need to re-confirm the status annually if you want to renew, meaning that each year you will have to meet the same conditions as you met the moment you moved from your previous status to the current one.
Airport lines. Image credit: Pixels, Connor Dannylenko
What are the benefits?
Let's go back to why you should definitely get a frequent flyer card from at least one airline.
Use your miles to buy tickets or pay for your stay at the hotel
Your accumulated (non-qualification) miles can be used to buy a ticket or pay for the hotel anywhere in the world. Nothing is free though. Almost all airlines will ask you to have same additional monetary payment for the tickets (a city tax for the hotel or an additional fuel payment for the airplane ticket, for example)
Increased baggage allowance.
In most airlines, your baggage allowance increases up to two checked bags starting from the silver status , and then these norms are extended as your status changes.
Special Priority Baggage Tag.
Outwardly, it’s just a beautiful accessory, but it is believed that your suitcase is serviced in a special way with this tag on and even dropped on the luggage claim upon arrival before regular bags. In most cases it is, but if the airport is really small then this perk doesn't quite work.
Special airport service desks.
You do not go to the general queue in the airport during the check-in, but in the queue for business class passengers. Sometimes there is a special queue for loyalty program members only. This is a real time saver!
Access to business lounges.
This is not for everyone and not always available: for example my airline, Aeroflot, gives lounge access only with gold status. Some other airlines offer it with silver status already but only for one passenger, so it is important to check an official airline's website for the information
The choice of seats in the cabin.
It's a rather muddy thing. Some have this, some don't. In general, frequent flyer program members have a number of preferences in choosing the desired seat in the cabin in advance, long before the registration opens.
Class of service upgrades.
My favorite thing. Now I’m not afraid of the word “overbooking”, but I wait and hope that the economy class will be crowded on my flights and I will be transferred to business or comfort. As a frequently flying passenger, I am at the beginning of the waiting list. Some airlines also have a possibility to upgrade your tickets from economy to business and pay with your miles.
Summing it all up
Overall, you can live without all these miles and statuses and you can fish out the cheapest flights with low-cost airlines, but once you get an upgrade or go to the business lounge a couple of times, you are addicted. You will begin to plan your trips in a certain way and choose the flights that are right for you ... and your frequent flyer account.
Have you tried it yet? Below you can find links to the most popular frequent flyer programs. Join me and get your frequent flyer account set up today!
Sky Team (a group of airlines based in different countries that use the same frequent flyer program. A great deal for international flyers)
