The only thing better than cheap fares, be they cheap airplane tickets, cheap vacation packages, or cheap auto rentals is free travel. In the past, redeeming mileage points has often proved to be a challenge. The good news is that the airlines are starting to adopt practices making it easier for frequent flier program members to redeem their miles:
In February, United joined American and Delta in allowing members of their frequent flier programs to redeem miles for one way flights for approximately half of the miles needed for a similar round trip ticket. Under the previous policy a single leg of a trip that had no award availability required the frequent flier to pay twice as many miles for an unrestricted round trip ticket.
Now faced with the same situation, a mileage redeemer can pay more miles for an unrestricted seat on just that leg of the trip. The end result is that frequent fliers will be able to purchase additional reward trips using fewer miles.
United has introduced a Miles and Money feature that allows its Mileage Plus members to use a combination of cash and miles to make purchase restricted round trip coach awards. Delta offers a similar benefit called Pay with Miles which is only available to holders of American Express credit cards linked to the program.
Another way airlines are helping loyalty program members redeem their miles is by making award travel cheaper. United has offered eight award discounts, during which travelers fly free using fewer frequent flier miles, over the past 18th months. Award discounts are typically offered on select, less busy routes at specific times.
Airlines are expanding their offerings of non flight awards. In March Delta announced its SkyMiles Marketplace where SkyMiles members can redeem their miles for over 6,000 items, including hotel rooms, cars rentals and customer electronics.
Airlines, including Virgin America and JetBlue, are starting to offer revenue based awards programs whereby the award prices change according to the prices paid for tickets. The main benefit is that there are no blackout dates, or capacity limits for these types of awards.
What appears to be driving the above changes is that airlines have recognized that better loyalty programs breeds more loyal travelers.
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