When it comes to airline loyalty programs, no one is the same. The trick is to choose the one that best matches your lifestyle and can maximize your experience, whether traveling for business, pleasure, or periodically globetrotting.
For business, consider JetBlue’s TrueBlue.
Travelers will have access to the airline’s ever-expanding route network — 100 plus destinations — including new routes to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Fla. beginning this fall. With over three dozen airline partners, international business has never been easier. Rack up reward points with TrueBlue. For every “eligible” dollar spent you’ll earn 6 points when you book on jetblue.com. Even better, points never expire, you can redeem them for any seat at any time and there are zero blackout dates. The program even allows you to share earning and use points with their family pooling program. Not to shabby.
For pleasure, try Southwest Rapid Rewards.
Southwest offers more than 3,900 flights a day to more than 100 destinations. As a Southwest Rapid Rewards member, you’ll earn points for every dollar spent on Southwest’s budget-friendly flights (with free baggage) along with the airline’s hotel, car rental and retail partners. By signing up for Southwest’s Rapid Rewards credit card through Chase Visa, you’ll earn added points, including a 40,000-point sign-up bonus and an additional 60,000 bonus points after making $2,000 in purchases in the first three months of opening an account. Other perks include no foreign transaction fees, free checked bags, auto rental collision damage waiver, baggage and travel insurance and emergency assistance services. However, it’s important to note, there is a drawback. There is a $99 annual fee.
For globetrotting, aka the frequent flier, give Delta SkyMiles a go.
Delta isn’t just convenient for frequent fliers based in U.S. cities like Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Seattle, and New York. They operate over 5,000 flights each day with 337 destinations across more than 60 countries. By choosing SkyMiles, you’ll earn miles based on the amount of your flight purchase as well as for flying with any of Delta’s partner airlines including KLM, Air France and Virgin Atlantic. Miles can be redeemed for free air travel (with participating airlines) or cashed in for upgrades and items available through the SkyMiles Marketplace. Delta fliers will also benefit from earning Medallion Qualifying Miles, which offers a variety of perks through the Delta SkyMiles Medallion elite membership program. Points never expire and elite members get unlimited complimentary upgrades.
