How to pick an air miles scheme

If you are a frequent air traveller, and you arent earning any air miles or loyalty points by doing so, you could be handing over money for air fares that could be put to better use. But with so many frequent flyer programmes out there to choose from, you might be so bewildered that you avoid the issue altogether. However, if you allow this state of affairs to continue, you are literally throwing your hard earned cash away. Here are some hints and tips to help you navigate the maze of options that present themselves when you decide to go down this road. If you were to add up the combined value of all the unclaimed air miles in the world, dating back to the beginning of air travel, it would amount to a larger amount of money than exists in the world today. Now that would be quite a tab to pick up, so in order to prevent the airline industry imploding on a daily basis, air miles were fitted with expiry dates. So if you pick up air miles from a variety of different operators, you may not be able to cash any of them in before they expire. The trick is to consolidate your miles by sticking with the one airline, or pick a programme that includes your most frequently used airlines. Every airline loyalty scheme has a different logic and set of circumstances that determine the way in which points are earned. These can, nonetheless, be divided into three distinct categories: per trip, mile for mile, and per currency unit. Mile for mile is by far the most common arrangement, and the most flexible and transferable. However, they are often the poorest value, with five or more trips being required for each freebie, as opposed to the four or even three that are required by more rigid loyalty schemes. If you are making the same journeys again and again, schemes that operate on a per trip basis can often represent the best value. Many airlines have sharing agreements with other airlines when it comes to their loyalty programmes, so its worth finding out which airlines have these agreements, and whether those agreements are appropriate your own specific travel needs. Per currency frequent flyer programmes are the most recent addition to the airline loyalty landscape. With these, you can earn points proportionate to your total outlay with operators participating in the scheme. These schemes are thought by many to represent the future of the airline loyalty scheme scene, as they are not subject to the time and usage restrictions of competing models. For great deals on cheap holiday insurance including annual travel insurance visit AA Travel Insurance and ensure that emergency assistance is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

ArticleSource: ArticlesAlley.com