FREQUENT TRAVELLER PROGRAMS

One of the most common questions I’m posed with as a Travel Agent is, “What’s the secret for using frequent flyer programs?”.  I always respond the same way, “Loyalty pays.”

When it comes to working the system, your best bet is to figure out which airline/hotel consortium works best for you and stick with the brands within it wherever possible.  With airlines, you should figure out which group operates the most flights within your budget at your preferred airport and which airline in the group you fly the most.  I happen to be a Continental fan and Newark is their hub, so they were naturally my first choice.  Once you determine your airline and sign up for their program, limit your business to that airline and their partners.  For Example, Continental is now a part of the Star Alliance which includes United and US Airways amongst others.  I fly Star Alliance now whenever I can so that I earn continental miles on partner flights.  If you make it to one of the preferred levels of membership in the frequent flyer program like Continental’s elite access, you will get special benefits and accrue even more miles on every flight which really adds up.  (There were a few flights where I earned enough on one flight to upgrade me on the next, all because of my elite mileage bonus).  You will also see benefits on the partner airlines like priority boarding and baggage handling.  Just make sure you follow any changes to the programs along the way as they tend to change every year.

The same applies to hotel programs.  Most hotel brands are part of larger companies.  So whether it’s the Starwood hotel brands or the Hilton brands, your best play is to pick one and stick with it.  This is usually easy to do with hotels as each parent company offers a range of hotel classes beneath it.

Whatever travel suppliers you choose to focus on.  Always verify that your traveller number is included on the reservation and check your balance with them often as there are periodic mistakes and many points programs expire.