With the news that Aer Lingus, the flag carrier airline of Ireland, is launching its new frequent flyer scheme AerClub in July 2016*, Airport Parking & Hotels (APH) has created a guide comparing airline loyalty and reward schemes. The research can be found in the Know Before You Go section of the APH website at www.aph.com/frequentflyers.

The research compares the loyalty and reward schemes of 19 airlines, including Emirates, Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic, and compares how points or miles can be earned and redeemed, the required number of points or miles for each membership tier, and additional benefits of membership tiers.

Of the 19 airlines researched, 17 offer travellers a loyalty and reward scheme including Air Canada, British Airways and Norwegian Air Shuttle. From the airlines researched, bmi regional and Ryanair do not offer a frequent flyer scheme at present.

Miles and loyalty points may be collected through flights with the selected airline with the amount collected based on the distance flown, fare price paid and cabin class. Points and miles rewarded vary with Delta's Sky Miles rewarding customers with 5 – 11 miles per $1 spent depending on their membership tier and Flybe reward customers with 2 – 4 Avios per £1 spent according to their seat's cabin class. 11 airlines also reward customers with miles or points through hotel stays, car rental, and purchases with selected partners and retailers.

In cases where an airline is part of an alliance, miles and points may also be collected through flights with alliance airlines. For example, passengers who fly with British Airways may merge their Avios points from other oneworld flights including those with Aer Lingus and Qantas, and passengers flying with Air Canada may also earn points with other Star Alliance partner airlines such as Lufthansa and SWISS Air.

The majority of the airlines researched, 15, permit travellers to redeem their membership miles or points for flight tickets with one way tickets on Lufthansa flights starting from 10,000 miles and tickets for Flybe flights up to 650 miles costing 4,500 Avios. Passengers should keep in mind that when redeeming points for a flight ticket, airline taxes, fees and surcharges will still require additional payment.  Many of the airlines researched also allow travellers to redeem their miles and points on benefits such as seat upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals and on purchases with selected retailers. Likewise, six airlines permit travellers to donate their points or miles to selected charities, for example Icelandair's Special Children Travel Fund. Young travellers between the age of two and 16 who are members of Emirates' Skywards Skysurfers club may redeem their points on items such as a new toy or a ticket to Wild Wadi Water Park located in Dubai.

For frequent flyers, 13 of the 19 airlines researched offered additional benefits for members who have reached specific membership tiers, including British Airways, Icelandair and KLM. British Airways' Executive Club members who collect 1,500 tier points over one year will reach 'gold' status and benefit from perks such as access to First Class check-in and lounges, complimentary seat selection, fast track security access and additional baggage allowance. Additionally, members of Air Canada's Aeroplan who collect 25,000 Altitude Qualifying Miles will become a member of Air Canada's Altitude club which rewards travellers with business class upgrades, complimentary access to the Maple Leaf Lounge and complimentary checked baggage.

For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH),
Visit www.aph.com or call 01342 859515.

ENDS

* Information taken from Aer Lingus which can be found at: www.aerlingus.com/experience-aer-lingus/gold-circle/

About Airport Parking and Hotels (APH)
Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is an award winning airport parking operator and retailer, after winning the Best Airport Parking Company for a sixth year running at British Travel Awards 2015. This year APH also celebrated its 36th 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 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.

Whether you're taking golf-clubs, a snowboard, a bike or a baby seat on holiday, finding out which regulations you have to adhere to can be a headache. To help cut through all the mouse-clicking, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) has created an online baggage allowance finder which is easy-to-use and regularly updated with the latest information. The tool can be accessed at:  http://www.aph.com/community/baggage-allowances/.  

Media Enquiries
Fiona Anderson / Lauren Hill / McCluskey International / 020 8747 2170 / aph@mccluskey.co.uk