With flying beginning to start in dribs and drabs around the world, airlines are beginning to make offers to encourage bookings. It made me wonder what things do frequent flyers actually want or find valuable here.
During the pandemic, many airlines have extended the elite status levels of frequent flyers. Considering far fewer people were actually travelling, this was hardly a gesture that cost the carriers any money. In return, they gained a lot of goodwill. What else has been going on?
Carrots For Frequent Flyers
Airlines are starting to offer additional perks to get people back into the air. For example, Australia’s Qantas has a double status credits offer on right now. For the next five days, all domestic bookings for travel between 31 March 2021 and 28 February will earn twice as much as usual. That means a faster route to gaining, retaining or even going up a level in the programme.
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- Would this make me book a flight? Yes!
British Airways kind of did the same thing, but in reverse. The amount of credits required for the Executive Club tiers were reduced by 25%. This resulted in Bronze going from 300 to 225, Silver from 600 to 450 and Gold from 1,500 to 1,125 for example. That is also quite beneficial for members.
What Else Could Airlines Do?
I’m all for extra bonuses during the bad times. During the global financial crisis, British Airways gave Silver frequent flyers a 100% Avios bonus, rather than 50%. That added nicely to the frequent flyer pot for those who continued to be in a position to fly.
I would be a of the view that elite status and miles are the two most important things for me. Giving free upgrade vouchers is not something my programmes do, so I’m not sure whether it would be worth offering. Maybe lounge passes to those who don’t have it might be a perk that would encourage bookings. Who knows!
Overall Thoughts
Airlines are probably going to be offering many more carrots to frequent flyers over the next while. The idea is to get people booking and flying, which is always a good thing.
It will be interesting to see who offers what. Will we all actually get enticing benefits or will all that pent up demand mean airlines can sit back and watch the bookings just roll on in? Time will tell.
What benefits would you like to see airlines giving to get you back in the sky? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image by MDRX via Wikimedia Commons.
Amazing Post!
Thank you!
Great blog. Keep up the good work!
You’re very kind, thank you!
wonderful post.
Thank you!
Herd immunity until there is an overwhelming vaccination rate anyone traveling abroad is at risk, period. That means with or without prior vaccination. Its just plain stupid to risk for what a few miles, a drink or un upgrade or just to be like a lot of bloggers and post a picture “see me” ? Crazy as a former USAF pilot “seeing” a lot of places back in the late 60’s / 70’s our arms were like Swiss Cheese with all the shots.
Well, to be fair to Qantas, Australia has had virtually zero cases for weeks on end, and it is just for domestic travel. Safest places in the world to be right now are Australia, New Zealand and a select few others who have successfully kept things at bay. Thanks for the comment!