Undisclosed Perks: Airline Loyalty Programs You’ve Never Heard Of
Have you ever been at the airport, waiting for your flight and watching as people in fancy suits and first class tickets breeze through security and board the plane early? You can’t help but wonder what their secret is. The answer is often airline loyalty programs. While most people are familiar with major airline loyalty programs like American Airlines AAdvantage or Delta SkyMiles, there are several lesser-known programs that offer exclusive perks and benefits. In this article, we’ll uncover some of these undisclosed perks and show you why you should consider joining these lesser-known airline loyalty programs.
What Are Airline Loyalty Programs?
For those who are unfamiliar, airline loyalty programs are reward programs offered by airlines to encourage customers to fly with them. These programs typically offer a points-based system, where the more you fly, the more points you earn. These points can then be redeemed for various rewards such as free flights, upgrades, and other benefits.
Undisclosed Perks You’ve Never Heard Of
1. JetBlue TrueBlue: If you regularly fly with JetBlue, their TrueBlue program offers a unique perk that many other airline loyalty programs don’t. You can earn points not just by flying, but also by booking vacation packages through their partner, JetBlue Vacations. This means you can rack up points even when you’re not traveling for work or leisure.
2. Southwest Rapid Rewards: While most people know about Southwest’s generous policy of no change fees, their Rapid Rewards program also offers another great perk – a Companion Pass. This pass allows you to bring a guest for free every time you fly with Southwest for an entire year. And if you earn enough points, you can even extend the pass for a second year.
3. Frontier EarlyReturns: For those who frequently travel with Frontier Airlines, their EarlyReturns program offers a unique benefit – Kids Fly Free. One child under 15 years old can fly for free with every adult ticket purchased, making it a great perk for families.
4. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: While many airline loyalty programs offer a points-based system, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan offers a lesser-known benefit – miles earned on flights not marketed by Alaska Airlines. This means that if you fly with any of their partners, such as American Airlines or Emirates, you can still earn miles and redeem them for Alaska Airlines flights.
Why Join Lesser-Known Airline Loyalty Programs?
Besides the undisclosed perks mentioned above, there are a few other reasons why you should consider joining these lesser-known airline loyalty programs.
More Availability
You’ve probably experienced the frustration of trying to redeem miles on a popular flight, only to find that there’s no availability. With lesser-known programs, there tends to be less competition for rewards, meaning you have a higher chance of scoring that coveted free flight or upgrade.
Personalized Offers
Smaller airlines may not have as many members as the major players, but this also means they have a smaller pool of customers to target. As a result, they often send tailored offers and bonuses to entice members to fly with them, making it a win-win situation for both the airline and the member.
Less Stringent Requirements
Major airline loyalty programs often have strict requirements to earn and maintain elite status. With lesser-known programs, the requirements are usually more attainable, meaning you can still enjoy elite benefits without flying as much.
Conclusion
Joining lesser-known airline loyalty programs can bring a whole new level of perks and benefits. From unique perks like Kids Fly Free to personalized offers and less stringent requirements, these programs offer great value for avid travelers. So next time you’re at the airport, keep an eye out for those in the fancy suits – they may just be on their way to enjoying these undisclosed perks that you now know about too.
