The Frequent Flyer Fact file: Sorbet Magazine

The Frequent Flyer Fact File

In a world where air miles are used as currency and privilege is earned through points, frequent flyer programs speak the language of brand loyalty. Over 14 trillion air miles and 700 billion US dollars have been accumulated through frequent flyer programs worldwide. Here is a quick round-up of some of the most popular programs and just what makes them so irresistible to the frequent traveler. Priyanka Pradhan

Flying Blue: Air France Biggest Draw: In June 2005, Air France’s Frequency Plus and KLM’s Flying Dutchman combined to form the Flying Blue program. It has since grown to 17 million members and is a member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance. Flying Blue has an extensive partner list. Promo Awards change every two months and offer award flights (flights redeemed by air miles) at a 50 percent discount for its members. Flying Blue also offers lifetime Platinum status to members who earn a Platinum status for 10 years in a row. Flipside: One of the main flaws in the Promo Awards program is that members can earn only 25 percent of miles from discounted fares. Elite members do not receive complimentary upgrades in this system.Flying Blue also levies charges on award tickets for fuel surcharges, which is not unusual for an international program, but can cost a few hundred Euros for a member. www.flyingblue.com

Biggest Draw: Currently with 3.4 million members in its frequent flyer program, Asia Miles has a roster of over 400 partners worldwide, including over 20 airline partners. Not only are there numerous flight award options through both Asia Miles and Oneworld, but the variety is noteworthy. Asia Miles is known for a huge variety of award options, from the usual flight and upgrades to ‘lifestyle’ awards, such as an admission to the Macau Tower Observation Deck in Macau and a dinner buffet for two. Flipside: To participate in the Marco Polo Club, members are subject to pay a $50 fee if they do not have a Cathay Pacific co-branded credit card, or if they travel in first or business class with Cathay Pacific or Dragonair. Also—Silver, Gold and Diamond elite level members do not receive mileage bonus on their flights. www.asiamiles.com

Emirates Skywards: Emirates Airlines

Etihad Guest: Etihad Airways

Executive Club: British Airways

SkyMiles: Delta Airline

Biggest draw: Emirates Skywards, which was launched in 2000, has over five million members in over 240 countries and territories.The Emirates Skywards website is comprehensive, with a detailed and informative membership guide. Silver Members receive access to the Emirates lounge in Dubai and Gold Members have access to Emirates international lounges as well. Emirates has also introduced Skysurfers, a frequent flyer program for young travelers aged two to 16, with rewards including free flights, iPods, games and fashion accessories.

Biggest Draw: Since the launch of Etihad Guest in 2006, the airline has accumulated over two million members in its frequent flyer program. A feature called PointsPay enables members to redeem Etihad Guest miles by converting them instantly to cash, which can be spent at any of the 30 million outlets associated with Etihad worldwide. This mobile wallet makes it easy to spend miles like cash – a great travel tool for its members. Also, the program enables members to redeem immediate rewards with as little as one mile on their accounts.

Biggest Draw: British Airways flies to more than 300 destinations worldwide and with BA’s membership in the Oneworld alliance, the network grows to over 600 destinations. One of the most remarkable features of the BA Executive Club is its large selection of international lounges. The Executive Club offers an opportunity to earn air miles via its co-branded AMEX credit card. If members do not have enough miles for a free flight, a Part Cash Part Miles online tool allows them to book a flight using a combination of miles and cash on British Airways and franchise operated flights.

Biggest Draw: With the SkyTeam alliance, Delta’s network strength is enviable. In addition, the airline also partners with non-alliance airlines around the world, further expanding the available network for SkyMiles members. Delta does not charge for upgrade awards, which can add up to a tidy sum in other programs. The airline has also pioneered the idea of mixing award types, which provides flexibility for its members.

Flipside: Members of Emirates can only earn 50 percent of miles on saver fares. Also, miles earned by flying on partner airlines do not qualify for ‘Elite’ status. The family program currently only allows members to contribute 20 percent of their earned miles to the family account. www.emirates.com/skywards

Flipside: Since the airline does not belong to a global alliance, options for members are limited. Another minus for the program is that if members prefer to fly on the cheapest or discounted tickets, Etihad Guest does not offer as many air miles and member privileges. www.etihadguest.com

Flipside: The tier points system for elite qualification can be confusing and complicated for members. BA is also known to tack on fees/fuel surcharges on award flights so even the ‘free’ flights can amount to a tidy sum for members who have earned their air miles. www.britishairways.com/executive-club

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Flipside: Members must sometimes call Delta service centers in order to find award flights, because the award calendar does not always show the complete list of available flights. Also, the Delta Reserve card does not offer free excess baggage, despite charging an annual membership fee. Moreover, members cannot use their air miles for one-way journeys. www.delta.com

Wallet from Saint Laurent Photography: Guillaume Nallet for Sorbet Studio

Asia Miles: Cathay Pacific

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