ON POINT

The benefits of airline loyalty and frequent flyer programmes

- ANITHYA BALACHANDRAN, KHURSHEED MISTRY

Airline loyalty programmes, also known as frequent-flyer programmes, are offered by several passenger airlines to retain their customers and keep them from using competitor airlines. The loyalty schemes contribute towards a large portion of the revenue not only for the leading airlines but also to the associate partners who benefit from these programmes.

All airline loyalty programmes are mainly based on the model of receive and redeem. Business and frequent travellers must become members to earn miles and points every time they fly with their favourite airlines’ or use any of their partners’ services. The perks are designed in such a way that they incorporate air travel, hotel chains, airport stores, lounges, car rentals, taxis, restaurants, travel credit cards, and more. Customers are motivated to spend more as they are rewarded for every action or every purchase from which they accrue benefits.

Some of the benefits of airline loyalty programmes involve convenience while check-in, special lanes for onboarding providing passengers with elite treatment, exclusive access to VIP lounges at airports, a preferred seat on priority if available and if a member qualifies, they can even be upgraded to a premium or business class.

In this story, we highlight some of the top airlines in the world and delve into some of their loyalty program offerings.

AIR INDIA