Most frequent flyer programmes are free, and once signed up you can start earning status points to gain rewards.
Some airlines, like Airlink, allow you to retro claim for flights you’ve taken before enrolment in the programme (see ‘Why Flyers Love Skybucks’ below for details).
With your info stored via the frequent flyer programme, check-in is quick and easy. Plus members get access to mobile apps that provide real-time flight updates, store all flight info, your membership tier status, available rewards and more.
Depending on the programme, members get additional perks such as free bag check-in, same-day booking changes and discount offers.
Airlines are known to upgrade frequent flyer members above the “general masses”.
And, depending on membership status, you’re likely to get access to services and facilities that make flying more comfortable, such as priority boarding and airport lounge access.
Many airlines allow you to use points towards in-flight services, such as Wi-Fi and in-flight meals, if these aren’t already included in the ticket.
Frequent flyer programmes are often associated with the large, international airlines. However, regional airlines service everyday business travellers flying between Southern Africa’s big cities daily, and these airlines often have excellent, user-friendly frequent flyer programmes.
Like Airlink’s Skybucks programme, which has a revenue-based rewards programme that enables you to earn points for every sector flown (i.e. Cape Town to Johannesburg equals one sector; a return flight on the same route equals two sectors).
This simplified earn-as-you-fly programme enables you to earn more rewards the more you fly, while building status under the three-tier membership programme, from entry-level Blue membership to mid-level Red all the way to top-level Emerald membership.
Skybucks also offers additional benefits such as:
To sign up to Skybucks today, click here.