FDX: Frequent Flyer Programs
 

Now that United and American have been added to our mix. Any opinions on which program is best for different travel patterns i.e. domestic only bidder vs. international flyer?

Where do you live? Who has the most flights out of your town? Where do you want to go on vacation and who flies there? Include their FF partners and how you earn miles on those partners in your analysis.

For me, it's still NW, so I try to deviate on them or one of their partners.

When did AA get added? Does anyone have any idea where the definitive guide on who we can and cannot get miles on is located? I've never received a good answer on this?

There is nothing in writing saying we don't get miles on any airline. There were rumors saying that we didn't get them on American when I got hired, but I have been unable to find anything from FedEx that said that. There are no FCIFs on file, and nothing in the FedEx intranet that says we can't accrue miles on any airline.

The individual airlines do have limitations, usually government fares, or other specific restrictions; however, that also doesn't apply, as the airlines have always taken a frequent flier number on every flight I've taken. I was an elite member on American long before that memo came out. As far as I could find in talking with the travel folks, is that their reservation computer had difficulty adding a frequent flier number, but you could always have the airline add it at the gate, or do it online through the airline's website.

There are, however, straightforward restrictions on hotel loyalty programs. Mainly they state that airline rates are exempt from accrual, except for incidentals, and hotels where we have point accrual negotiated.

There was an announcement several months ago in the Sig letter from F.E. (then the Hotels guy) that we were working with the company about receiving hotel points. He asked us to send him a list of hotels that are currently giving us points. Anybody know if this is still going to happen????

It would be a nice benefit....

here is an FCIF on this issue

Frequent Flyer Programs
FCIF 07-0648 (General)

Issued: 11/16/07 2209z
Source: XXXX
Suspense: 03/31/08
Approved: XXX

As most of you know the company has had a Frequent Flyer Program
established with NW Airlines for many years. We have been able to expand
this program to now include United, American, and Southwest Airlines. If
you have a ticket issued thru Global Travel, you may now include your
frequent flyer number on the reservation to accumulate mileage in their
programs as well. Global Travel will be able to keep your frequent flyer
number on file and include it with your reservations as they have done with
NW. This is a great benefit for the pilot group that will hopefully make
all those deadheads a bit more palatable. If you do not currently have a
frequent flyer number with these carriers you can go online to obtain a new
frequent flyer number. Please do not call Global Travel only to provide
your new frequent flyer number. Provide your number the next time you make
a reservation in the normal course of business. Enjoy all those new
miles.

There have been emails in years past from SCA's stating that we couldn't get miles with other airlines. People still did. Every once in awhile the airlines would call FedEx complaining about people getting miles on tickets that didn't qualify for miles. I've heard of guys getting emails from airlines saying they were taking away miles they earned on flights that didn't qualify. The didn't qualify because of the deep discount FedEx negotiated. I've also heard of guys getting miles all the time. I think it always depended on if the airline did an audit on the tickets. I don't think it had anything to do with FedEx.

I've been using mine on UAL for years, and was encouraged by the UAL CSAs to use my Mileage Plus card after 9/11 just to make it easier to get through security - no selective screening. Occasionally I would get a notice on my mileage plus statement that mileage was removed for ineligible legs - probably due to interline ticket purchase codes. I have not, however, had any removed in 4-5 yrs!

I think AA gives us the best deals on price. If you're hurting for bank money, usually AA can keep you near it. If you qualify for first class, AA is definitely the way to go (pricewise). Usually a first class ticket is only $100 or so more than the coach ticket.