The more trips, the more benefits. That could be a good summary of the loyalty plans applied by the three airlines that operate in the domestic market of our country, Aerolineas Argentinas, Flybondi and JetSmart.
Here, a brief screenshot of what they are and how they work, and keys to use them and take better advantage of them, to travel more and spend less.
In the case of Aerolineas Argentinas, the program is Aerolineas Plus, which allows members to add miles to their account each time they take a trip in a qualifying fare class. These miles are then redeemed for tickets, in which only fees and taxes are paid.
Aerolíneas Plus allows you to add miles that are then exchanged for tickets. Photo www.aerolineas.com.ar
Clarification: "Qualifyable" rates are considered to be all categories except the most economical, called "Promo". In the rest, the sum of miles is increased according to the fare category, which depends on the distance flown, the date, the time of year, etc: there are more than 20 categories.
In the same way, when redeeming miles, the amount needed to obtain a ticket depends on factors such as the chosen destination, the time of year, anticipation, demand or availability on the day and time you want to travel, or the selected class (the seats in Promotional class, for example, They are restricted, so to get them you have to book more in advance than in other classes).
Of course, the more trips, the more benefits: depending on the number of trips each member makes per year, you can access different categories. There are first Classic members and Elite members, and this second group includes the Gold, Platinum and Diamond subcategories.
Airlines Plus miles can be transferred to other passengers. Photo Aerolineas Argentinas.
There are three ways to earn miles: one is flying for Airlines or another of the companies of the SkyTeam alliance, of which the company is part (Delta, Air France, Air Europa, Aeromexico, KLM, among others); another, flying on member airlines (Gol, El Al Israel); a third, contracting products or services from companies associated with Airlines (Sport Club, Booking, Assist Card, American Express, among others) or associated banks.
"It can be added with the credit card consumptions ofthe banks with a collection agreement or transferring miles from other benefit programs with which we have agreements," they detail from the company.
The miles accumulated can be transferred, although with cost: US $ 12 plus VAT for every 1,000 miles transferred. In addition, a member of the account, can issue tickets in the name of family and friends by transferring their miles to them.
VIP lounge. Aerolíneas Plus Elite members have more benefits.
Upon reaching any of the Elite categories, members access additional benefits such as priority in the check-in lines, priority boarding or extra baggage and special baggage free of charge, among others, in addition to benefits at airports. For example, luggage of the Platinum and Diamond categories is placed with a special tag to identify it, and is the first to leave the tape.
Of course, to achieve the Diamond category you have to travel with tickets purchased at qualifying rates at least 80 segments per year (or 40 round trips).
An important fact is that the miles are not "devalued", so the table of miles needed for each flight remains stable. "Thus, the partner can program in advance where he wants to travel knowing in advance the destination he wants to reach," they say from the company.
The two low-cost companies in the country have membership programs. Photo Shutterstock.
Low cost memberships
Unlike Airlines, the two low cost companies that operate in the cabotage market, Flybondi and JetSmart, do not operate with a mileage system but with memberships, which are paid in advance and allow access to discounts and benefits.
Flybondi, for example, offers the Flybondi Club, an annual membership that allows access to cheaper rates, discounts and special benefits.
Club Flybondi allows you to save up to 20% per ticket. Photo www.flybondi.com
To be part of the Club you have to pay a subscription when purchasing a ticket, in a single payment for an annual cost of $ 6,999 (without automatic renewal), or directly from the company's website, entering the "Travel" section, for $ 4,999 (with automatic annual renewal).
From that moment, the passenger can obtain discounts of up to 20% on the value of the tickets. "The same membership is valid for up to one adult and two children under 12 years of age, and applies to the 17 national destinations to which we fly," explains Federico Pastori, commercial director of the company. Interprovincial flights are included, but not international flights.
An example: a ticket between Buenos Aires and El Calafate that in high season has a general rate of $ 40,225, drops to $ 35,259 with the Club rate: a single round trip allows you to recover the investment in the membership.
The same membership is valid for up to one adult and two children under 12, and applies to 17 domestic destinations. Photo: Flybondi.
The company also offers the coupon Ultra Passes, which includes five round trip tickets – it combines the most chosen national destinations – "and is an ally of those who decide at the last minute, since it allows you to redeem the pass up to five days before the flight for a year, "clarifies Pastori.
Ultra passes -with three options: A tu medida, Un Mix and Turisteando- allows you to save up to 60% to travel Argentina or those who visit relatives in the interior of the country.
"In a single round trip with a companion, you get your annual membership back," says JetSmart. Photo www.jetsmart.com
Recover the investment
"In a single round trip with a companion, you recover the annual membership," they say from the low cost JetSmart, which offers the Discount Club, with two types of membership: Standard ($ 4,500 per year) for the holder and a companion, and Group ($ 9,000 per year), valid for the holder and up to five other people.
Being a member of the Club allows you to save $ 1,500 for each leg traveled ($ 3,000 on a round trip) for all trips for a year, and $ 300 more for checked luggage per segment, in addition to access exclusive offers and the possibility of sharing the benefits.
A one-way trip for two people means a savings of $3,600 each way, or $7,200 roundtrip. Photo JetSmart
Thus, a one-way trip for two people implies a saving of $ 3,600 per way, or $ 7,200 round trip (with one exception: in the first purchase as a member the savings cap is the cost of membership).
Unlike Flybondi, JetSmart discounts are valid for international destinations. For example, Clarín conducted a search for round-trip tickets to Santiago de Chile for July: the general rate gave $ 104,301, against $ 98,091 for members of the discount club: a saving of $ 6,210.
The membership holder is fixed, and the association process is very simple and can be done at any time, even during the purchase of a ticket.
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