Reports

The Great Branding Debate: Is airline branding a waste of money and do airlines really care?
Have low cost carriers, along with the rest of the airline industry, tossed the idea of brand building onto the scrapheap of history? Or, has the concept of branding evolved with the growth of the low cost carrier sector? To answer these questions, IdeaWorks, in cooperation with airline conference organizer Terrapinn, recently distributed a survey on the topic of branding to airline executives all over the globe. The survey was distributed online and attracted participation by over 140 airline managers.

AirTran A+ Rewards Members Earn Free Tickets More Quickly than Members of the Midwest Miles Frequent Flier Program
But Midwest Miles elite members enjoy greater benefits than elite flyers at AirTran.

Choice Privileges Visa Card from Choice Hotels Offers the Largest Payback Among Leading Budget Hotel Companies
TripRewards MasterCard offers a good alternative with more hotel locations and no advance reservation restriction for hotel reward nights.

Frequent Fliers Rank New York – Los Angeles as the Top Market for Reward Travel in the United States
IdeaWorks releases report listing the top 15 market choices for standard frequent flier rewards on the mainland routes of U.S. airlines.

Stormy Weather: Frequent Flier Executives Are Concerned About Reward Availability and Other Consumer Issues
In a recent survey of frequent flier program management, 66% recognize seat availability is “too limited” at the lowest reward level.

Viva Las Vegas and the King of Ancillary Revenues
Allegiant Air’s recent stock prospectus reveals it is changing the business model for US low cost carriers.

Europe’s Top 4 Low Cost Carriers Generated 470 Million Euros (US$593 Million) From Non-Ticket Sources in 2005
But U.S. frequent flier programs produced revenues estimated at 2.5 billion Euros (more than US$3 billion) and better per passenger results.

Low Cost Airlines Launch a New Batch of Frequent Flier Programs All Over the Globe
Free travel benefits are now offered by eight new entrant airlines: Eos Airlines, Germanwings, go!, Kingfisher Airlines, MAXjet Airways, Spirit Airlines, Virgin Blue Airlines, and Virgin Express.

Frequent Fliers Reach New Heights with More Than 15 Million Reward Trips During 2005
Balance sheet liability for unused miles also increases for the top frequent flier programs to a record $3.8 billion.

Frequent Flier Miles Gain Value But Redemption Remains a Consumer Complaint
Mileage Value Index for jumps in 2005, reward issues continue to plague consumers and United Airlines offers an alternative to credit card miles.