Airline loyalty programs are big business – they’re not only a great way for travellers to earn every time they fly, but a top scheme for airlines to entice travellers.
Over the last decade, the rewards model has completely evolved, so much so that loyal flyers can earn points in and out of the sky.
In addition to earning and using points on flights, these days loyalty members can earn points while filling up petrol or shopping at their local grocery store.
While other airlines has teamed up with some of their codeshare partners to allow loyal flyers to earn and redeem points across each others’ networks.
Now with so much competition amongst loyalty programs, IdeaWorks has released its sixth Switchfly Reward Seat availability survey, highlighting some of the best rewards programs in the world.
From June through to October this year, Australian airlines continue to prove their loyalty members are the most spoiled, with Virgin’s Velocity Frequent Flyer ranked the top Asia Pacific Region program and second in the world overall for Reward Availability.
Qantas’ Frequent Flyer program was named ninth best for Reward Availability in the world.
The survey is based on 7,600 booking queries made across the websites of 25 frequent flyer programs during March 2015, with a percentage success rate calculated for locating availability on top routes.
See below for the Switchfly Reward Seat Availability Survey’s top 10 airline programs:
10. Alitalia’s MilleMiglia
It’s the first time the airline’s loyalty program has featured in the list and comes months after Etihad Airways invested heavily in the Italian carrier’s rebrand, services and network.
9. Qantas’ Frequent Flyer Club
The Flying Kangaroo is a regular in the top 10 list.
This is mostly due to ongoing improvements, including the more recent announcement that international supermodel, Jessica Hart, has been recruited to use her fashion knowledge on select products that will benefit the airline’s loyalty members.
8. United Airlines’ MileagePlus
Image: lassedesignen/Shutterstock
United dubs its frequent flyer club as an ‘industry-leading’ program, because of its wide network of partners, which includes hotels, car rental companies, retail stores and more.
It has also won ‘Best Frequent-Flyer Program’ in a number of travel awards including the Global Traveller readers.
7. China Southern’s Sky Pearl Club/British Airways’ Executive Club
The two airlines’ rewards programs tied in seventh place along with Alaska Group’s Mileage Plan.
6. Air Asia Group’s BIG
Leading the way for low-cost carriers, the airline group has landed sixth place, with 85 percent of total reward seat availability.
5. Lufthansa’s Miles & More/JetBlue’s TrueBlue
Another tie in the top 10, with both airline programs sitting at 87.1 percent total seat availability.
4. Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer
In addition to its own offerings, KrisFlyer has teamed up with airlines such as Virgin Australia to offer its loyalty members additional ways to redeem points.
3. Air Canada’s Aeroplan
2. Virgin Australia’s Velocity
It’s good news for the Australian carrier, which not only landed second place in the world, but first for airline reward programs in the Asia Pacific region.
Velocity last month expanded its rewards program through a new partnership with BP, which allows members to earn points everytime they pump fuel into their vehicles.
The airline also has agreements with airlines such as South African Airways and Singapore Airlines, that allows its loyalty members to book free flights and upgrades on each others’ networks.
1. airberlin’s topbonus/Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards
These two airlines definitely know how to keep their most loyal travellers happy.
The two carriers receive 100 percent in total availability – a figure, which hasn’t changed in two years.