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