How to manage frequent flyer accounts for business travellers
Drowning in points programmes? It can feel like a lot of extra work to manage frequent flyer accounts and loyalty programmes. Most travel providers have them, so the options are endless. How do you decide which ones are worth a try?
Business travel expenses can add up and often have requirements like flexibility and last-minute trips. Loyalty programmes can have a big impact here since many of the perks needed for efficient corporate travel are offered to frequent travellers. Having a system in place to evaluate loyalty programmes and then track travel rewards can make it that much simpler to manage a traveller's frequent flyer status.
If you don't know where to start with air miles and loyalty programmes, read the free frequent flyer checklist to get you started.
What types of frequent flyer programmes are there?
Pick your own adventure, for points programmes that is. Just like the wide range of travel suppliers, the world of loyalty programmes has every flavor and combination you can think of. Airline and hotel loyalty points are just the start. Why not earn rewards points and travel benefits wherever you go?
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Loyalty programmes for flights
Airline loyalty programmes, frequent flyer programmes, or air miles. The names differ, but this is the head honcho of travel points programmes. International airlines all have their own rewards systems, and many airlines offer separate tiers of corporate loyalty programmes for leisure vs. business travellers. For example, Alaska Airlines has EasyBiz, and United has PerksPlus for corporate travel.
Closer to home, South African travellers will know programmes like SAA Voyager and Airlink Skybucks
Do a quick check for frequent flyer miles before booking a corporate flight, and you'll be glad you did. There's a chance you can avoid high fares, especially if the travel is during the busy season or booked within 30 days of flying.
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Hotels rewards for higher employee satisfaction
And then there's the VIP of loyalty programmes: hotel points programmes, known for offering guests an upgraded experience and a touch of luxury. Properties like the Hilton Hotels (Hilton Honors) and Minor Hotels are known for their loyalty programmes, but most major hotel brands at every price level each have their own points programmes.
Who doesn't want to stay somewhere nice when you're away from home? Basic comfort and safety are the baseline, but extras can make a trip more productive and make it easier to transition back to the office upon return. Employees will appreciate the difference, which can make an impact on hiring and retention. By booking hotel stays to take advantage of these programmes, you can earn additional perks and benefits, such as:
- Mobile room key or digital check-in
- Early check-in and late check-out
- Instantly redeemable points for drinks, meals, events, or transportation
- No blackout dates
- Gift cards for meals and local businesses
- Redemption options for free nights
Some hotels even offer points for other categories of travel, like airline miles or cruise credits. This is where travel vendors really get creative, offering useful additions you didn't even think of but don't want to travel without.
Loyalty programmes from outside vendors are another option for collecting lots of travel points. Flying for a conference in a certain industry? See if they have a points programme or discount code that can be used. If your staff are members of a professional association (or all come from the same university), they might have access to special offers as well.
Companies can earn rewards on each type of travel booking by comparing points programmes with the most commonly used travel providers. There are many different frequent flyer programmes for employees, and it's also important to check if your travellers are already members of additional loyalty programmes through their personal travel.
3 common challenges for managing frequent flyer accounts
When you're dealing with multiple travel plans, dozens of different travel providers, and urgent travel requests, travel points can often fall into the lowest priority. These are some of the common issues with managing loyalty programmes for business travellers.
You don't want hard-earned travel points to go to waste. The good news? A few simple habits, like keeping membership info up to date and booking through one system, can make a big difference. With a bit of planning (and maybe a little help from your travel management company, "TMC"), you’ll avoid most of the usual pitfalls and have those points working harder for your travellers. And there's even more you can do to maximise travel savings.
The best ways to unlock elite status for business travel
Stay on top of the status of frequent flyer programmes to see if you're just a short jump away from high-flying rewards. Try these expert-approved approaches to maximise travel loyalty points:
- Choose centralised tracking. You can't measure what you can't track. Summarised data helps to keep track of where you are with each programme when they all have different ways of counting points or showing programme rewards. With some frequent flyer programmes, flights will count for points and credits toward elite status. This can quickly get a little complicated, with two different benchmarks to hit in order to qualify for elite reward status.
- Check your calendar. Do you know the timeline for when points are calculated? Can travellers carry over points to the next year? Loyalty programmes each have different rules, though most will track over the calendar year. Plan a date near the end of the year to checkpoints tallies and see what you can use before it's gone.
- Look at the long term. Sometimes, it makes sense to pass on the cheapest option. If saving on one flight means missing out on elite status for a frequent traveller, is it really worth it?
- Aim for alliances. Airline alliance programmes let you get the most out of your air miles even if travel doesn't follow a set pattern. Look for international alliances that let you build up points for travel across the world. If you travel a lot, or if you're just getting started and don't know where the next trip will be, this could be a good choice.
The most valuable rewards programmes offer a variety of ways to build points with flexibility and variety in how you can redeem them. Maximise rewards by signing up for loyalty programmes where you know the rewards will be used.
Tips for grabbing bonus points and frequent flyer miles
Looking for more value? With frequent flyer programmes, a little strategy goes a long way. Why not turn every business trip into a points power-up? Learn the top tips for rounding up more travel rewards.
Finally, one tip on what to avoid: look out for blackout dates and fare class limitations. Some discounted corporate fares may earn fewer points or none at all. Understanding fare structures and booking accordingly ensures that travellers earn what they deserve. Your TMC can help with this, too.
Business travellers benefit from proper points management
Travelling for work can feel like sprinting on a maxed-out treadmill or sailing above the clouds, depending on the situation. Little details like upgrades, lounge access, or status perks can transform the experience. Travel managers who know how to earn points and perks without impacting expense reports can make sure that travellers arrive rested and ready to impress.
Benefits like free travel, free flights, and priority boarding save the business money while making the travel experience smoother for employees. Free flights or other bookings mean less time spent planning trips and searching for deals for admin staff as well. If travellers are the type who work on the go, priority boarding means more uninterrupted time to focus and plan ahead. For nervous flyers, extra time to get settled can calm anxiety about flying.
Cross-check bookings with the frequent flyer checklist
Managing frequent flyer miles isn’t just about tracking. It’s about seizing opportunities and maximising rewards. With the right tools and travel industry knowledge, you'll see savings multiply fast and benefits too. Get the most rewards out of every rand of travel spending with our frequent flyer programme checklist. It's got step-by-step ways to look for best-in-class discounts, incentives, and special offers.