The Ultra Frequent Flyers

Reading the posts on www.flyertalk.com, it is easy to see how being a member of frequent flyer programs of major airlines has become a science. On Flyertalk, some of the airline's best customers share "tricks of the trade" if you will, on everything from how to earn bonus miles to what routings will accumulate the most miles at the lowest fare. The truth is, the skies would look totally different today if American Airlines had not created the first frequent flyer program in 1981. Major airlines have maintained their most loyal and lucrative customers by keeping them attached to the many perks and privileges of airline program memberships. These programs have become so powerful a marketing machine exemplified by the fact that the AA Advantage program is widely known to be more valuable than the airline itself.

A few days ago I was working a transcontinental flight and had the opportunity to speak with some of our passengers in business class that were on a "mileage run". If you are unfamiliar with the term, mileage runs are done when a frequent flyer wishes to obtain the most miles, in the shortest period of time, for the lowest fare in order to elevate their status in an airline's frequent flyer program. Obtaining elite status in these programs is key to getting the best of the benefits offered by the programs. In fact, it has become super competitive among frequent flyers as each attempts to snag first and business class upgrades.

One of the passenger I spoke to was on the first flight of an unbelievable itinerary that had him starting off in Miami and visiting Tokyo twice. When I asked him how many miles he would be earning on this trip, he proudly declared, 29,000 miles! As amazing as that was, I became instantly interested in the fare for a trip like that. I was astonished when he told me he paid only $1700.00 for his ticket.

Trips like this can take anyone from being a mere number to the "inner-circle" VIP status where high flying privileges abound.

Good Trip or Bad Trip...You Decide

Enjoyable travel takes a little work from everyone. Here are a few things to remember to do or not do as you travel that will have a major infuence on "yourself and those around you".

1. Don’t trample your fellow passengers to get on board. The plane isn’t leaving until everyone is on board.

2. Do use your manners. Saying ‘After you’ and ‘Excuse me’ as well as ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ go along way to creating good will.

3. Do bring on only what you can manage to stow yourself. Ship ahead those bulky, heavy, fragile items.

4. Do remember overhead compartments are ‘shared’ space.

5. Do wear appropriate clothing—although you might think you look great in that mini skirt with thigh high boots -frankly your fellow travelers do not. psss. remember Southwest?

6. Don’t do your grooming on board. Polishing Nails, Clipping toe nails, flossing your teeth at your seat, brushing your hair in the middle seat and going barefoot in the bathroom—all are BAD! Rule of thumb if you wouldn’t do it in a restaurant don’t do it on an airplane.

7. Do show your fellow passengers compassion by being prepared with food, games and other items to keep your children occupied.

8. Do show your fellow passengers compassion if they are traveling with children—most often a gentle request for a little one not to kick your seat is enough to have the problem resolved.

9.Do monitor your alcohol intake. Remember when flying ---every drink you have is double due to the altitude. Save the holiday cheer for your holiday destination.

10. Do monitor your volume with your electronic devices and your voice. Uncle Earl might be hard of hearing but your fellow passengers are not.

Using these tips for traveling will improve your travel experience as well as your fellow travelers.

Happy Flying!
The Sky Steward Crew