Airlines love to post eye-catching deals but frequent flyers should stick to Flex fares if they want to jump tiers, collect bonus miles and secure their premium status.
Most aspects of travel are straightforward, but airline loyalty? It remains a web of miles, points, tiers, fares and upgrades, filling online forums day after day. I find it puzzling for different reasons; the inbox will always be full of routes, openings and deals but I can go weeks without receiving anything on loyalty.
The ambivalence may be partly attributable to carriers who, on the one hand, are keen to court premium-spending frequent flyers, while on the other, posting cheaper fares which will fill their cabins but do little for their yields – or your status.
Corporate budgets may be squeezed but business travellers should stick to the fundamentals. They need to fly regularly on Flex fares which yield bonus miles and only by sticking to the higher fares will they jump tiers or maintain their premium status. To reach the top-tier Platinum with Emirates, for example, you need to rack up 150,000 miles which works out 24 sectors a year, or say, a flight every two weeks. Maintaining your status is important for all the add-on benefits that come from a premium membership, from increased baggage allowances and lounge access to chauffeur pick-ups, which all help make life on the road more enjoyable and productive.
There are other benefits too. Alongside ticket flexibility, if you’re travelling in Emirates economy on a Flex or Flex Plus fare you won’t have to pay for advance seat reservation (fees were introduced on Economy Special and Saver fares last October). Flex also offers you the possibility to upgrade before the flight, whereas Saver you can only upgrade 48 hours before (you can jump one cabin).
“Flex is very important in two aspects,” says Skywards’ Senior Vice President Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher. “If you talk about an economy ticket, flex gives you higher tier miles and if you’re status driven, it’s 2/2.5 times higher with the miles you earn.”
Bu hikaye Business Traveller Middle East dergisinin July 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Business Traveller Middle East dergisinin July 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Onwards and upwards
In an exclusive interview with Ian Fairservice for Business Traveller, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO and Founder of the Emirates Group, provides insight into the current and future state of travel and Emirates’ pivotal role in getting the industry back on track
Cleaning up the crisis
How hotels have risen to the challenge of keeping guests safe during the pandemic
The Great Vegas Meetings Magic Act
The city is working hard to conjure up events and make millions of visitors reappear
TAKES OFF
Corporations are seeking new travel solutions that put safety and convenience first
TEE TIME IN TOKYO
The Tokyo Olympics may be delayed, but the golf courses around Japan’s capital aren’t slowing down
KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
New and upcoming hotels to check out when you next visit Saudi Arabia
QATAR CALLING
A swathe of hotels are opening in the Gulf State in the run-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup
MEMPHIS CON BRIO
Music and history flood through the heart and soul of this quintessential American river town
Sofitel Mumbai BKC
BACKGROUND Sofitel Mumbai BKC is one of Accor’s most prominent addresses in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The French hospitality group’s other hotels in the city are operated under the Novotel and ibis brands.
Taking Scotland in Stride
A walk through the Highlands and Borders is the best way to touch this country’s history and nature