Word: flyer
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...that is only the beginning of the possibilities. Most airlines have worked out reciprocal frequent-flyer deals with rental-car companies. When customers rent cars, they earn mileage with the affiliated airline; when they & pile up enough miles, they get discounts on future car rentals. At Avis, customers get credit for 500 miles when they rent a car in connection with a Northwest flight. Since the carriers have similar arrangements with hotel chains, frequent flyers can put together a deluxe vacation package. Example: logging 75,000 miles on Eastern or Continental wins two round-trip tickets to Europe or South...
Other businesses are getting in on the game as well. Some banks, including New York City's Citicorp, arrange for their Visa and MasterCard holders to receive frequent-flyer mileage every time they use their credit cards. The variations on this strategy are potentially unlimited. Members of TWA's frequent-flyer plan can chalk up mileage by buying Glad trash bags...
...promotion has dramatically boosted the sign-up rate for frequent-flyer plans. For example, the number of passengers joining American's program jumped from about 3,500 a day before triple mileage was offered to 7,000 a day now. At the same time, triple mileage has sharply increased the rate at which passengers rack up miles -- and free trips. Says H.G. ("Red") MacKenzie, vice president of the American Society of Travel Agents: "Triple mileage is stupid. The airlines have given away the candy store." Agrees Dan Brock, senior vice president for marketing at Piedmont: "There's no question that...
...West Palm Beach, Fla.: "We have people who will change in Atlanta and accept a layover when they used to fuss. It's just to build up mileage." Passengers go out of their way to stay on the same carrier whenever possible. That is the main benefit that frequent-flyer clubs offer to the airlines. Says John Pincavage, an airline analyst at the Paine Webber investment firm: "The | frequent-flyer plan is the only marketing program that has ensured brand loyalty...
...effort to keep their profits from plunging, more and more airlines are beginning to restrict the terms of their frequent-flyer plans. Several carriers now "black out" certain periods, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving weeks, during which passengers cannot fly free. Last year Pan American blacked out 70 days. Several airlines limit the amount of space on a plane that is available to frequent flyers. Such restrictions are risky, though, since they could destroy the goodwill and brand loyalty that the frequent-flyer plans have inspired...