From maximizing airline loyalty and mileage programs to chatting up the airline gate attendant, use these insider tips and simple guidelines next time you hop an international or domestic flight to save big bucks, get better fares and get more from your money.
By Adam Holdridge
Staff Writer
In 2001, I flew a total of 230,000 miles.
I’m no expert, but I have learned a lot about the inner-working of the travel industry. Before I enrolled at Pepperdine last year, I lived in San Francisco by myself and was employed by a dot-com. I spent about five days a month in my apartment while the rest were spent on the road traveling all over the globe. Through my travels I have made many airline acquaintances — travelers and employees.
I realize, however, that most students do not travel as much as I have. But there are still some things you can do to enhance your travel experience and stretch your dollar.
TRAVEL AFTER SEPT. 11
When you turn on the television or read the news, you are bombarded with hearing the airlines complain that the effects of Sept. 11 are leading them to bankruptcy. The government quickly responded with a $15 billion bailout package for the industry. But interestingly enough, none of the major airlines have chosen to take advantage of the aid.
“When (Sept. 11) first happened, people were not flying because of fear,” said Sue, a friend and top-level reservation agent from American Airlines who requested that her last name not be used. “Now travelers have gotten over their fears, but I really blame the decrease in travel on the economy. Sept. 11 is simply an easy scapegoat. The airlines created their own monster. I rarely sell full-fare tickets or first class tickets because people are always griping about the cost of the fares. These complaints come from even our most loyal fliers, who had no issue before over the pricing of airfares.”
American Airlines, among others, was on a down slope prior to Sept. 11 because the economy was beginning to slow. And the results from the financial crisis are very visible in service, routes and frequency. However, every flight that I have been on since Sept. 11 is always full. So how are the airlines hurting if they are always flying with full loads?
“It is because those packed flights that you are on, are full of cheap fares,” Sue said. “And the passengers that are sitting in first class either upgraded or are airline employees traveling with their 90 percent discount or for free.”
The airlines are not making a profit on most of their routes, but Sue said there are exceptions. The popular cross-country routes utilized by many businesses, such as Los Angeles to New York, are flying with full fares because the demand for those flights is still high.
Because people have high expectations of service on the “Big Six” airlines — American, Delta, United, US Airways, Northwest and Continental — those airlines have to try to meet that expectation, which results in higher operating costs than the currently successful and expanding no-frills airlines like Southwest and JetBlue.
In a lot of ways the airlines created their own monster by all of the perks they offered. With people not flying as much, the airlines cannot afford to give away these perks as their return sinks.
“The airline business model doesn’t work anymore,” Sue said. “Businesses have figured out that they can teleconference and that they can use the train to travel short distances. Flying isn’t necessary for business to operate.”
BENEFITS OF A LOYALTY PROGRAM
Does belonging to a mileage or loyalty program really matter if you only fly once a year?
Yes.
Mileage programs are not just about earning miles for taking flights — you can earn miles on a specific airline and not take a single flight. Passengers can earn miles on their credit cards, through hotel stays, car rentals and even dining out. And enhanced benefits exist for those who fly 25,000 miles a year, which adds up quickly if you live out of state.
After you cross that 25,000-mile threshold, a new world of travel opens up. You are awarded a status level on the airline you choose to be loyal to and it remains with you into the next year. But all this would be completely worthless if you don’t remain loyal to one airline.
If you jump around, belonging to a mileage program is not worth it. Most 25,000-plus members on a major airline receive a 25 percent bonus for each flight, pre-boarding with first class, first class check-in and the ability to upgrade within 24 hours if space is available.
And the more you fly the better the benefits. There are 50,000-plus and 100,000-plus levels with bonus levels of perks and an ability to upgrade 48 to 100 hours prior to your flight.
A lot of the benefits have diminished, however, given the current “crisis” in the airline industry. United Airlines and American used to allow their Premiere members to make changes to their reservations without assessing the $100 penalty on non-first class and full fare coach tickets … but those days are long gone.
American is very strong in Texas, with hub cities in Dallas, Chicago and Los Angeles. United has their hubs in Denver, Chicago and near Washington, DC. Delta is really all about Atlanta and the South. JetBlue is a New York City carrier and Southwest is just all over the map. So, choose your carrier based on your geographic needs.
UNPUBLISHED STUDENT BENEFITS
When it comes to finding lower fares, remember that half the battle is actually asking. Student fares do exist, but the airlines aren’t going to make it easy for you to find them. Sometimes there are student fares and sometimes there are not. It really depends on the market that you’re flying in. But you won’t know unless you ask.
As Sue points out, if you have a good reservation agent on the phone, they’ll be able to find the student fares, but some agents don’t know they even exist.
Currently the Big Six have student fares loaded into their system until the end of the year. These are searchable at www.studentuniverse.com, but the best bet is to contact the airline directly.
United Airlines has a program called College Plus, which is an extension of their mileage program. When students become members of this program they receive 2,500 bonus miles for their first paid roundtrip and another 2,500 bonus miles for their third roundtrip. They also receive 5,000 bonus miles for every 50 hours of community service completed in United-sponsored charities. Students also get 10,000 bonus mile gift for their college graduation. Other airlines also have similar programs.
Southwest and JetBlue do not have programs like this, but they do have frequent flier programs. And though none are designed to recognize students, they feel their fares are low enough for college kids.
UPGRADING
Why pay for first class, when you can fly it for free?
With all the miles that I have logged, I can’t remember the last time I flew coach. I don’t even have to use my frequent flier miles to move up, because I’ve learned to work the system to my advantage.
First off, belonging to a loyalty program is a must. The members at the basic level of 25,000-plus miles can upgrade within 24 hours if there is space in the cabin. If there isn’t space, you are automatically placed onto a waiting list which could clear minutes before the flight’s departure. You earn upgrade coupons/points — currently, most upgrades are electronically stored in your mileage account. You can buy points or earn them as you travel, in addition to the miles that you are earning. You can usually upgrade from any economy fare. There are some restrictions, though. For example, United won’t allow you to upgrade their last minute “eFares” whereas American Airlines will. If you are planning to upgrade, check with the reservation agent before you buy your ticket to find out if the fare you are about to purchase can be upgraded.
Usually, if you drum up a mutual camaraderie with the gate agent working your flight, he or she may not even take the upgrade points out of your account. If you are waitlisted and seats become available but other people are ahead on the waitlist, he or she might just make sure you get into that cabin regardless of the list. The few times that I have had to fly coach, the flight is already sold-out in first, but wide open in coach. So, they will sometimes block off an entire row, or a center seat next to you, if you ask nicely. It is all about your approach and how you conduct yourself at the gate.
The best place to check in is not at the curb or the counter. If you don’t have much luggage and are taking carry-ons, try to check in at the gate. If you act as if you are entitled to upgrade, your chances are slim to none. Attitude really rubs gate agents the wrong way.
Sometimes, there is a rare occasion when the flight equipment is changed from a larger aircraft to a smaller one. So they have to move passengers into first in order to accommodate the now overbooked economy cabin. Always volunteer if this is the case — they might just put you in first after all.
Also, volunteer if your travels plans are flexible and the airline is looking for passengers to take the next flight. Help that gate agent out and he and she will most likely find away to benefit you. And don’t be afraid to also be direct. This is a fine line, but it will help you get what you want to accomplish.
October 03, 2002