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Home » Travel » My Thoughts on the 2010 Frequent Traveler Awards
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My Thoughts on the 2010 Frequent Traveler Awards

Matthew Klint Posted onNovember 5, 2010 4 Comments

I had the privilege of attending the first annual Frequent Flyer Awards Ceremony in Houston last night and had a great time. Not only was it great to see many friends and familiar faces, it was great to see hotel chains and airlines recognized for their ingenuity, innovation, and efforts to serve their customers.

Here’s a list of the winners:

Program of the Year
The Americas Airline: Air Canada Aeroplan
The Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Europe and Africa Airline:    Lufthansa Miles & More
Europe and Africa Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Airline:   Kingfisher Airlines King Club
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Hotel:   Taj Hotels InnerCircle
 
Best Redemption Promotion
The Americas Airline: Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
The Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Europe and Africa Airline: Lufthansa Miles & More
Europe and Africa Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Airline: Singapore Airlines
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Hotel: Marriott Rewards
  
Best Earning Promotion
The Americas Airline: Air Canada Aeroplan
The Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Europe and Africa Airline: Lufthansa Miles & More
Europe and Africa Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Airline: Kingfisher Airlines King Club
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Hotel: Marriott Rewards
    
Best Redemption Ability
The Americas Airline:   Air Canada Aeroplan
The Americas Hotel: Marriott Rewards
Europe and Africa Airline: Lufthansa Miles & More
Europe and Africa Hotel:   Marriott Rewards
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Airline: Kingfisher Airlines King Club
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Hotel: Marriott Rewards
   
Best Elite-Level Program
The Americas Airline: United Mileage Plus
The Americas Hotel: Hyatt Gold Passport
Europe and Africa Airline: Lufthansa Miles & More
Europe and Africa Hotel: Starwood Preferred Guest
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Airline: Kingfisher Airlines King Club
Middle East & Asia/Oceania Hotel: Hyatt Gold Passport
  
Best Loyalty Credit Card
The Americas: Alaska Airlines Visa
Europe and Africa: American Express Membership Rewards
Middle East & Asia/Oceania: American Express Kingfisher First
  
Loyalty Leadership Award
Hyatt Gold Passport
SAS EuroBonus

First, it should be noted that these awards for 2009, not 2010. That helps to explain why Marriott outdid Hyatt in many categories. 

A few thoughts on some of the awardees: First, I was happy to see that Hyatt deservedly won the award for best elite-level hotel program for the Americas. Hyatt has made remarkable strides in recognizing elites the last two years and has made me a loyal customer.  After the ceremony, I kidded the Marriott rep. that Marriott must be doing something right to offer a program with stingy elite benefits that are difficult to qualify for in the first place, yet still keep their customers extremely happy. She good-naturedly took issue to my characterization of the program, but had to concede that Hyatt and Priority Club have been a bit more generous this year. It helps to have properties in every major city around the world…

United Airlines won the award for best elite-level airline program for the Americas and I think they deserved it. Yes, StarNet blocking remains an issue and the award chart is not as generous as it once was, but 2009 featured two double elite qualifying miles promotions and even before the unlimited domestic upgrade program started, UA’s upgrade scheme worked very nicely. Plus, UA coddles their elites—generously throwing out miles and vouchers when travel hiccups arise. We’ll see if that lasts under Jeff Smisek. I doubt it.

Air Canada’s Aeroplan program won in the program of the year category and I must concede that Air Canada does many things well. Their liberal routing rules, frugal award chart, and lack of StarNet blocking make crediting to Aeroplan attractive. Tacking on $200+ fuel surcharges on Air Canada flights, however, rubs me the wrong way.

Maybe Air Canada can learn from Scandinavian Airlines, the winner of the Loyalty Leadership Award (voted by the FT Awards committee rather than the traveling public) for removing fuel surcharges from their award redemptions. In an almost tearful address to the crowd, the SAS rep thanked everyone for their support and urged other airlines to follow SAS’ lead. British Airways and Air Canada should take note.

If you’re in New York City next April, plan to take part in the 2011 Frequent Flyer Awards. My thanks to Gary, Reb, Tommy, and the whole team + sponsors that made this event possible.

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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4 Comments

  1. Gene Reply
    November 5, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    Matthew, do you know the exact date in April for the 2011 awards?

  2. Matthew Reply
    November 6, 2010 at 5:03 pm

    April 28 in NYC.

  3. gene Reply
    November 6, 2010 at 10:31 pm

    Excellent, we’ll be there. Hope you can make it, too, Matthew.

  4. Matthew Reply
    November 6, 2010 at 10:58 pm

    @Gene: I plan to be there!

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