The Mileage Company
The UK experts in designing, developing and managing reward & loyalty schemes
Press releases
Frequent flyer and travel loyalty schemes see uplift in recession
More UK consumers than ever before value Airmiles
July 2009 - The recession is leading more consumers to collect Airmiles with frequent flyer and travel loyalty schemes and cash them in to continue flying, according to new research from The Mileage Company.
An independent survey commissioned by reward scheme experts, The Mileage Company, found that one in five collectors (19%) have used their miles in the past 12 months, whilst more than a quarter (28%) are more likely to redeem them for a free flight now than they were this time last year, due to the economic downturn.
The findings are also supported by trends The Mileage Company is seeing first hand. Airmiles, the frequent buyer scheme which is operated by The Mileage Company has seen a 17%* increase this year in its members booking flights using Airmiles - all members collecting Airmiles** use them for free flights that include all airline, taxes, fees and surcharges. In addition, the scheme has seen a 41%* increase in the amount of miles being collected.
Andrea Burchett, Director, Relationship Marketing and Insight at The Mileage Company said: "Everyone is looking for outstanding value, or even better, something for free in these tough economic times. Whilst people are cutting back, they do not want to give up travelling. Our data and consumer research tell us that Airmiles are even more valuable now in a recession. Whether consumers are collecting miles rewards through a frequent flyer, or travel reward scheme, their miles are really helping them continue to get away on holiday, when they need that help most."
-- Ends --
Notes to Editors:
Research conducted among 3,000 participants by YouGov in June 2009.
* 17% and 41% increase in 2009 in Airmiles members booking flights and using Airmiles. Increase is also in response to members re-engaging with the Airmiles scheme since it has written to 1.7 million lapsed members reminding them of their Airmiles balance and that they now need to collect a minimum of 1 Airmile in 24 months for their account to be kept open.
** Collecting Airmiles and using them for free flights that include all airline, taxes, fees and surcharges means that a member has had one Airmile or more added to their account in the last 12 months.
The Mileage Company www.themileagecompany.com
The Mileage Company is the UK expert in running reward schemes. In the last year alone, four million people have collected or redeemed miles with one of The Mileage Company's schemes, from the global BA Miles currency to UK-based Airmiles.
The Mileage Company works with over 200 brands through the UK's largest travel and leisure reward schemes.
Building long-standing partnerships, the business adds value and enables our partners to drive customer engagement and loyalty with compelling rewards.
For further information, images or to arrange interviews please contact:
Susan Barber
Head of Corporate and Consumer PR
The Mileage Company
Tel: +44 (0) 1293 722 252
Email: susan_barber at themileagecompany dot com
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