Frequent Flyer Miles -Flexibility is the Key to New Non-Airline 'Miles' Plans

Contents

Airlines Use Miles to
Better Serve Program Members

Flexibility is Key to New Non-Airline 'Miles' Plans

Flexibility is Key to New
Non-Airline 'Miles' Plans
How can you earn free travel if you're not a frequent flyer? Easy. Scads of companies offer airline miles, and some are creating their own generic mileage plans that can take you anywhere you want to go.

How do you like your miles? These days, you can earn them almost anywhere, and spend them on almost anything. The best development in recent months, though, is the surge in services that let you treat your branded miles like generic miles. With every passing day, evolving mileage programs treat the customer more like a king and less like a captive. No longer slaves to Byzantine rules, limits and reward thresholds, travel consumers can pick programs that uniquely suit their needs. Then they can go to town.

"Airlines know how many miles go unclaimed," says Dean Headley, a Wichita State University marketing professor who produces an annual airline quality rating. "To them, it's found money. By selling miles to partners, they recoup their upfront costs, and anything that isn't redeemed is money in the bank." A host of new businesses, however, are hoping to give travelers access to that money in their mileage bank. The willingness of program operators to open their vaults will say much about their dedication to consumer benefits.

Otherwise, spending flexibility depends on where you earn the miles. All miles earned with WebMiles, for instance, earn travel on any airline. To create those spending opportunities, WebMiles is broadening its earning opportunities. It has enlisted major retailers such as the Ralphs Grocery Company in San Diego and Smith's Food & Drug Stores in Las Vegas to complement a host of cyber stores. "Our core strategy is to offer customers as many ways as possible to earn WebMiles," says Jennifer Case, vice president of marketing. "To some extent, we're the new S&H Green Stamps."

Here are other ways you can earn miles without actually doing the miles.

BankDirect
www.bankdirect.com
Beyond interest and laptop access, online banking pays (ta-DA!) miles. In partnership with American's AAdvantage® program, BankDirect doles out miles to people who open checking or money market accounts, buy CDs, or sign up for direct deposit. Earn 1,000 miles for a new account, 5,000 miles for direct deposit, 2,000 miles for using bill pay and 100 miles per month for a minimum $1,000 balance. There's more. Check it out online.

Hertz
(#1 Club Awards®)
Looking for a sweeter rental ride? With the new Hertz Prestige Collection program, Hertz customers will get an expanded selection of luxury wheels. As of June 1, selected North American airports will offer several models from such respected names as Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln and Volvo. Participating airports for the Phase 1 rollout include Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Boston. Canadian travelers can try it out in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto.
To reward customers crossing over from its main line of Ford cars and trucks, Hertz will be offering bonus miles with airline partners and points in its #1 Club Awards® program. The program offers free pickup or return at hotels within 15 miles of a Prestige Collection rental center. All cars come equipped with the Hertz onboard NeverLost® navigational system, and a free one-year enrollment in Hertz #1 Club Gold. For details, go to www.hertz.com, or call toll-free 800-654-2250.

Diners Club
(Club Rewards®)
A longtime favorite of frequent travelers, Diners Club has rolled out a new premium card geared to the U.S.-based international traveler. The Diners Club Carte Blanche Card, in addition to points redeemable on a dollar-for-dollar basis for air travel with any carrier, confers access privileges to more than 200 top-flight golf courses around the world. Cardholders also get a free event and gift reminder service, free entertainment planning through the VIPdesk, expanded travel insurance, interest-free borrowing for 62 days, and free two-week rental of an international cellular phone. Annual fee is $300. To get yours, call 877.604.6723 or go to www.carteblanchecard.com.

Neiman Marcus
(United Mileage Plus®)
Through a new partnership with the world's largest airline, Neiman Marcus has arranged for members of its InCircle Rewards program to swap points for Mileage Plus miles. Retail's first loyalty program, InCircle Rewards, credits customers with one point for each dollar spent with Neiman Marcus. Customers now can redeem 5,000 or more points for equal amounts of Mileage Plus miles. To check out program guidelines, go to www.united.com.