Travel used to be so simple. The kind of travel experience she could expect was more or less in line with what she paid for. Do you want a nice leather seat and a glass of champagne on your flight? Pay for a first class ticket. Do you want a corner hotel room with breakfast included? Pay for a first class hotel. What about rental cars? Well, you weren’t expecting a lot of options there anyway.
But today, the travel industry has become very competitive. Companies will go the extra mile to keep their best customers. Loyalty programs have emerged to identify and track repeat customers. Based on the number of flights, hotel stays or car rentals booked, customers are grouped into different status levels. The higher the level of status achieved, the better the benefits and amenities offered on the trip.
As a customer, it makes sense to review and take advantage of these programs. After all, it can make the difference between a tight flight between screaming kids or a peaceful nap with first-class accommodation! The main services offered are listed below:
Mileage/Bonus Points
Travelers accumulate miles, points or hotel stays and then redeem them in the form of free travel or other benefits. As various levels of status are achieved, companies will allow the accumulation of additional points or miles. Typical programs include 10-20% bonus points at the lowest level and up to 100% bonus points at higher status levels. These bonus points really add up and can be very valuable when redeemed.
Access to VIP Room or Discount (Airport or Hotel)
Hotels with lounges often offer complimentary access to status patrons. This is a nice perk as it usually includes a free continental breakfast and free drinks for an hour or two at night. Airport lounges are usually offered at a discounted rate for status customers. This is a nice perk for frequent travelers who want to get away from the commotion of an airport terminal.
automatic update
Car rental companies often offer a free upgrade to the next class of car for their best customers. This may mean an upgrade from a small car to a midsize car, for example.
Companion Flight Upgrade
Airlines often offer upgrades from economy to business or first class to their best customers. An even better touch is a free upgrade for a companion on the same flight. This always goes down well with the spouse or co-worker of a frequent flyer.
Airline Seat Upgrade
Airline seat upgrades are one of the most coveted and closely controlled perks in the skies. With a particular status, flyers can be moved from economy class to first or business class areas. Usually this is done on a priority basis. First priority goes to the highest status. The update is usually not done until a few days before the flight, to allow availability for customers who wish to purchase first class tickets.
Expedited Car Rental
Car rental companies are notorious for long lines and slow customer service. Most companies will offer some sort of expedited service for their status customers. This usually includes bypassing the rental counter, a big plus for travelers in a hurry.
Free breakfast
Many hotels offer a complimentary breakfast for their best customers.
Guaranteed Availability
Companies often offer some sort of preferred booking priority for status customers. At the higher status level, some hotels offer guaranteed availability, which is a controversial practice as it can mean canceling existing reservations. However, this service is a boon for last-minute travelers who often have availability issues.
late check out
A late checkout time is a typical service offered to hotel guests.
no blackout dates
Experienced users of rewards programs know that one of the biggest “mistakes” is blackout dates. These are high-volume dates (think holidays and weekends) when companies don’t allow the redemption of miles or points. Of course they coincide with the dates you would most like to redeem points! With certain status levels, blackout dates are waived.
preferential seat
Preferred seats allow early access to airline seat selection and the ability to select exit row and other preferred seats. This is a typical service offered even at the lowest status levels.
Boarding Priority
Priority airline boarding is an important benefit offered at almost any status level. It allows the traveler to board first and have access to the empty overhead baggage space.
Priority baggage handling
Priority baggage handling means the traveler’s baggage will be loaded last. This makes bags the first off the plane, allowing for a quicker escape from baggage claim.
priority billing
Airlines offer special check-in lines for travelers with status. This is of less importance in the age of online and kiosk check-in for flights.
Priority security line
One of the most coveted benefits. In the age of long airline security lines, the ability to use the expedited line, along with first class passengers and crew, is a huge time saver.
priority hold
A key benefit for those changing flights at the last minute, Priority Standby puts travelers with status at the front of the queue for standby flight availability.
room upgrade
Hotels often offer status customers a room upgrade. This could mean a larger room and on a higher floor.
Table service
Many companies offer the service desk, usually for the highest status level. It is a special phone number that provides expedited service for high-end customers.
How do you get a particular travel status and its related benefits? The standard way is simply to use a particular travel provider long enough and accumulate the required number of points. However, some shortcuts are possible. Many airlines and hotels will match a level of status that has been achieved with a rival company. This practice is common, but not widely publicized in the travel industry.