With recent reports questioning the value of air miles and some airlines introducing changes to their policies, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com) has compiled a comprehensive guide comparing frequent flyer schemes across all major airlines. The guide is available in the Know Before You Go section of the website at www.aph.com/frequentflyerschemes. 

The research highlights the disparities between frequent flyer schemes across 19 airlines including British Airways, Flybe and Virgin Atlantic, and compares the different tiers within the schemes, qualifying requirements, the benefits and rewards, as well as the terms and conditions.

The different levels available on the schemes are mostly earned through obtaining a certain number of miles or points, however some airlines, such as Delta Airlines, require the flyer to have spent a certain amount annually on flights (medallion qualification dollars), in conjunction with miles or points. Other air carriers also require a certain number of flights to be made in addition to air miles with Air France, for example requiring 25,000 level miles and 15 one-way flights on their Silver scheme, 40,000 level miles and 30 one-way flights on their Gold scheme and 70,000 level miles and 60 one-way flights on their Platinum scheme. Moreover, some airlines including Aer Lingus and Etihad, state that miles and points have to be earned within a certain time frame, usually 12 months. 

All of the airlines surveyed were also found to allow flyers to earn points through the use of a frequent flyer scheme credit card. Some airlines, as in the case of Flybe and Iberia, impose time stipulations, claiming that in order to earn points to qualify for one of the schemes, card users have a year in which they have to retain a certain number of points, or their card will expire. In most cases, the credit cards have a validity of one year; however Virgin Atlantic is shorter, at nine months.

Most of the airlines offer similar benefits to frequent flyer scheme members, including priority check-in and priority boarding across all tiers; however some airlines, such as Air France, also offer personalised luggage tags in their lowest level, the Flying Blue Silver scheme. The vast majority of aviation companies offer lounge access on their higher level tiers, however members of KLM and Iberia frequent flying schemes are also guaranteed entry to lounges on lower level flying scheme tiers. For travellers looking for a VIP service, airlines such as Etihad and Iberia also offer free chauffeur services for their most frequent flyers, with Iberia even offering a complimentary limousine service from the airport.

When discussing terms and conditions, some airlines, including Cathay Pacific and British Airways, stipulate that membership is limited to individuals who are 18 years of age and above, whereas others allow membership for anyone aged two and above. 

                                                                For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH),

                                                                         Visit www.aph.com or call 01342 859515.

ENDS

 

About Airport Parking and Hotels (APH)

Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is the UK’s award winning long stay airport parking operator and booking agency, after winning the Best Airport Parking Company for a third year running at British Travel Awards 2012. This year APH also celebrates its 33rd year as a retailer and operator of pre-booked airport parking and travel extras. APH offers parking at all major UK airports as well as airport hotels packaged with parking and airport lounges. APH is also a carbon balanced company and has, through support of the World Land Trust, helped purchase more than 1,000 acres of endangered rainforest.

Media Enquiries

Sarah Salord / Jessica Meins / Alice Walker/ 020 8747 2170 / aph@mccluskey.co.uk