Frequent flyer programs are airlines’ loyalty programs that provide for the accumulation of points (or figurative miles) for discounts or rewards by purchasing airline flights or services from airline partners.

How does it work?

By enrolling in a frequent flyer program (available for many airlines) and purchasing travel, you can accumulate points (or figurative miles) that can be converted into discounts on your next flight purchase.

However, they can also be used as discounts on certain airline services, such as:

  • luggage
  • priority on waiting list
  • seats
  • upgrade to a higher class of travel
  • lounge access

How do I earn miles?

Miles can be earned by purchasing flights but also through the services of the company’s partners, which can be:

  • hotels
  • rental car
  • stores

Moreover, according to the miles acquired, you can access different statuses that provide different rewards/rebates.

Let’s see together the frequent flyer programs of the most important companies:

  1. SkyTeam
  2. KLM – Air France
  3. British Airways
  4. Lufthansa
  5. Emirates
  6. American Airlines 
  7. Iberia

1. SkyTeam

SkyTeam is an alliance that includes 19 airlines and enables you to have a more complete travel experience. With SkyTeam, if you’re enrolled in a frequent flyer program with one of its member airlines, you earn status that qualifies you for SkyTeam Elite and SkyTeam Elite Plus. 

SkyTeam airlines and their frequent flyer programs are:

2. KLM – Air France

The frequent flyer program of KLM-Air France is called Flying blue.  

Membership is free, you earn miles with many services: hotel reservations, car rentals, traveling with partner airlines, shopping (including online) or financial services and you accumulate points (called XP – extra points) with flights.

With the Explorer program, you have access to:

  • Up to €10 off the first extra piece of checked baggage
  • 10% discount on seat options

With the Silver program, you have access to:

  • Choice of a standard seat before check-in or 25% discount post booking on other seats
  • 1 additional piece of checked baggage on flights operated by KLM or partner airlines
  • Priority check-in at baggage drop-off and boarding

With the Gold program, you have access to:

  • Choice of standard seat at the time of booking or 50% discount post booking on other seats
  • 1 additional piece of checked baggage on flights operated by KLM or partner airlines
  • Access to our lounges including one guest of your choice
  • Access to SkyPriority services, priority check-in, baggage drop-off and boarding

With the Platinum program, you have access to:

  • Free choice of any seat
  • 1 additional piece of checked baggage on flights operated by KLM or partner airlines
  • Access to our lounges including one guest of your choice
  • Access to SkyPriority services, priority check-in, baggage drop-off and boarding
  • 24/7 support through the Platinum Service Line

List of KLM – Air France partner companies:  

  • SkyTeam Alliance:
  • Aerolíneas Argentinas
  • Aeroméxico
  • Air Astana
  • Air Baltic
  • Air Europa
  • Air France
  • Air Malta
  • Air Serbia
  • Bangkok Airways
  • Belavia
  • Bulgaria Air
  • China Air
  • China Eastern
  • China Southern
  • Copa Airlines
  • Croatia Airlines
  • Etihad Airways
  • Garuda Indonesia
  • Georgian Airways
  • GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes
  • Hop!
  • Korean Air
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • Middle East Airlines
  • Saudia Airlines
  • Sichuan Airlines
  • Tarom
  • Transavia
  • Vietnam Airlines
  • WestJet
  • Widerøe Airlines
  • Xiamen Airlines

3. British Airways 

British Airways’ frequent flyer service is called Executive Club, by signing up for this service you can get special offers reserved for members, save your data and travel preferences securely to make your bookings faster, accumulate Avios (the club currency) to receive rewards.  

In addition to booking flights, you can also earn Avios by staying at participating hotels and renting cars or by shopping in their eStore with selected retailers such as John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Apple.

In addition, frequent flyers will enjoy other benefits, including:

  • priority boarding for Bronze members
  • lounge access for Silver members
  • Access to First class lounges and spa treatments for Gold members

When you sign up for a free membership in the program you are automatically a Blue member and have the following benefits:

  • Earn Avios by flying with oneworld® partner airlines
  • Priority seats assigned (where possible) to passengers wih flexible fare tickets
  • Ability to choose a food preference on flights where meals are served
  • Priority in reservation lists and airport waiting lists over non-members.

After the Blue level, there is the Bronze level, which you can get by flying with British Airways twice and with 300 Executive Club Points or make a total of 25 British Airways flights, has the following benefits:

  • Check-in in business class (except at London city airport)
  • Priority boarding always (except at London city airport)
  • You can choose seats for yourself and those are traveling with you 7 days before departure
  • If your luggage get lost, you will be put at the top of the list for search
  • You’ll earn 25% more Avios bonus every time you fly with British Airways
  • Some of the partner airlines offer bonuses linked to membership level to increase Avios balance. (For details, check individual airlines)
  • Keep your Executive club status even if you are on maternity/paternity/adoption leave
  • You will be able to combine your and your family’s Avios in a collective account.
  • You can save your travel preferences

After the Bronze level there is the Silver level, which you can get by flying with British Airways at least four times and with 600 Executive Club Points or make a total of 50 British Airways flights, it has the following benefits:

  • You can choose seats for yourself and those who are traveling with you (they must be on the same reservation) excluding seats in the emergency exit row on long-haul flights
  • A minimum checked baggage allowance of two pieces in Economy Class for all passengers inside your reservation (except for Basic fares, carry-on baggage only)
  • A 32 kg checked baggage allowance, regardless of class of travel, for all passengers within your reservation*
  • A dedicated direct line with cuustomer support (you will find the number on the back of your card)
  • Book a full economy fare ticket up to 24 hours before the flight (Y class only)
  • Check in at least one hour before departure
  • You’ll earn 50% more Avios every time you fly with British Airways
  • Some of the partner airlines offer bonuses related to membership level to increase your Avios balance faster. (See individual airlines for details)
  • Check-in in business class (except at London city airport)
  • Priority boarding always (except at London city airport)
  • Priority in reservation or waiting lists 
  • You will be able to combine your and your family’s Avios in a collective account.

After the Silver level there is the Gold level, which you can get by flying with British Airways at least four times and with 1500 Executive Club level points. It has the following benefits:

  • Free seat selection from the time of booking for the whole group on British Airways flights; also valid for friends and family on other bookings, only if they travel in the same class and on the same flight* also exclusive access to 1A and 1K when traveling in first class for Gold members only.
  • One free extra bag in any class of travel for all passengers inside your reservation (except Basic fare, carry-on baggage only)*
  • A 32 kg checked baggage allowance, regardless of the travel class, for all passengers within your reservation*
  • No booking fee for Priority Reward reservations.
  • A direct line with the customer support when you need to contact British Airways (you will find the number on the back of your card)
  • You’ll earn 100% more Avios every time you fly with British Airways
  • Lounge access
  • Keep your Executive club status even if you are on maternity/paternity/adoption leave
  • Free priority rental service, Avis Priority Rental Service, which will allow you to pick up your rental car directly at the arrivals concourse of London Heathrow Terminal 5.
  • You will be able to share your Avios with any member in your family or friends list 
  • When you reach 2,500 Executive Club Points, we will give you a voucher that you and a travel companion can use to upgrade to the next class of travel of your choice.
  • Upon reaching 3,500 Executive Club Points, we will give you 2 Gold Upgrade that you can use for yourself or to travel with a companion (Upgrades are available on multi-carrier bookings and are subject to availability in the higher travel class)
  • With 5,000 Executive Club level points, you will receive the Concorde Room Card, the key to the most luxurious and comfortable lounges at London Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 and New York JFK Airport’s Terminal 7, the ideal environment for relaxation and business.
  • With 5,000 Executive Club Points, you will receive two Silver Partner Cards and one Gold Partner Card, so you can share the benefits with those you care about the most.
  • Lifetime membership at the Gold level with 35,000 Lifetime Points 

*Must be one of the passengers on the reservation (or, in the case of free seat selection, on one of the reservations) to receive benefits. Not available for reservations with group rates.  

List of British Airways partner airlines:

  • Compagnie oneworld®
    • Alaska Airlines
    • American Airlines
    • Cathay Pacific
    • Finnair
    • Iberia
    • Japan Airlines
    • Malaysia Airlines
    • Qantas
    • Qatar Airways
    • Royal Air Maroc
    • Royal Jordanian
    • S7 Airlines
    • SriLankan Airlines
    • Fiji Airways
  • BA CityFlyer

4. Lufthansa 

Lufthansa’s frequent flyer service is called Miles & More, you can earn miles through flights (also with partner airlines), hotel reservations and shopping.  

You can use your miles to get an upgrade on your flight, a rental car or to shop in the Lufthansa WorldShop.

Here are the benefits of enrolling in the program:

  • Simplify flight booking with data storage
  • Become a status member and receive exclusive privileges
  • Earn award miles with nearly 40 partner airlines.
  • Earn award miles in everyday life, such as by shopping or booking hotels.
  • You can use the miles for flights or for shopping
  • Gives you the option of converting bonus points earned from other programs into miles
  • Con l’acquisto di una carta di credito Miles & More potrai avere vantaggi esclusivi come: protezione contro la scadenza delle miglia, bonus di benvenuto e molto altro ancora

With Miles & More there are three statuses you can acquire:

Frequent traveler:

  • Frequent Traveller status card and luggage tag
  • Business lounge access
  • Check-in at the Business Class counter
  • Possibility of flying with more luggage
  • Unlimited mileage validity

Senator:

  • Senator status card and luggage tag
  • Senator Lounge e Star Alliance Gold Lounge access
  • Possibility of flying with more luggage
  • 2 Upgrade vouchers for a higher class

HON circle: 

  • HOn circle status card and luggage tag
  • Access to First Class and First Class Terminal lounge
  • Limousine and transfer services
  • Senator partner card
  • 6 Upgrade vouchers for a higher class

List of Lufthansa’s partner companies:

  • Eurowings
  • Star Alliance:
    • Aegan Air
    • Air Canada
    • Air China
    • Air India
    • Air New Zealand
    • All Nippon Airlines
    • Asiana Airlines
    • Avianca
    • Austrian Airlines
    • Brussels Airlines
    • Copa Airlines
    • Croatia Airlines
    • EgyptAir 
    • Ethiopian Airlines
    • EVA Air
    • LOT Polish Airlines
    • Fly Sas
    • Shenzhen Airlines
    • Singapore Airlines
    • South Africa Airways
    • Swiss Airlines
    • TAP Portugal
    • Thai Airways International
    • Turkish Airlines
    • United Airlines

5. Emirates

Emirates’ frequent flyer program is called Emirates Skywards and allows you to earn miles through flights with Emirates or flydubai and their partners around the world.

With the miles earned you will be able to:

  • Book a premium flight
  • Making a class switch
  • Buying stays in luxury hotels
  • Buying family hikes
  • Purchasing tickets for sports and cultural events

With Emirates Skywards, you’ll have access to 4 levels of membership:

  • Blue Status
    • Skywards miles can be used to book rewards directly online (including flights and upgrades to a higher class)
    • Special member-only offers and travel packages for each category
    • Earn miles and book awards with global partners
    • Designate a personal travel coordinator
    • Storage of personal preferences
    • Priority on waiting lists
    • Immediate upgrade to a higher class purchasable with miles at check-in (at the airport)
    • Paid access to lounges
    • Wi-Fi connection
    • Special offers for members based on membership category
  • Silver Status
    • Skywards miles can be used to book rewards directly online (including flights and upgrades to a higher class)
    • Special member-only offers and travel packages for each category
    • Earn miles and book awards with global partners
    • Designate a personal travel coordinator
    • Storage of personal preferences
    • Free seat selection
    • Excess baggage allowance
    • Priority on waiting lists
    • Earn bonus miles on Emirates flights
    • Immediate upgrade to a higher class purchasable with miles at check-in (at the airport)
    • Priority check-in and boarding
    • Free lounges access
    • Paid access to lounges
    • Immediate upgrade to a higher class that can be purchased with miles (on board) (Special tickets do not allow an award upgrade to the higher class. If you have purchased a Special ticket, you cannot request upgrade to a higher class for a family member or friend directly on board using Skywards miles)
    • Wi-Fi connection
    • Special offers for members based on membership category
    • Your World Rewards
    • Priority baggage delivery
  • Benefits with flydubai
    • Skywards Miles bonus
    • Check-in at the Business Class counters
    • Additional allowance for checked baggage *.
    • Free lounges access
  • Golden Status
    • Skywards miles can be used to book rewards directly online (including flights and upgrades to a higher class)
    • Special member-only offers and travel packages for each category
    • Earn miles and book awards with global partners
    • Designate a personal travel coordinator
    • Storage of personal preferences
    • Free seat selection
    • Excess baggage allowance
    • Priority on waiting lists
    • Earn bonus miles on Emirates flights
    • Priority services through the Contact Centers
    • Guaranteed seat, even on fully booked flights
    • Immediate upgrade to a higher class purchasable with miles at check-in (at the airport)
    • Priority check-in and boarding
    • Free lounges access
    • Paid access to lounges
    • Immediate upgrade to a higher class that can be purchased with miles (on board) (Special tickets do not allow an award upgrade to the higher class. If you have purchased a Special ticket, you cannot request upgrade to a higher class for a family member or friend directly on board using Skywards miles)
    • Wi-Fi connection
    • Special offers for members based on membership category
    • Your World Rewards
    • Priority baggage delivery
  • Benefits with flydubai
    • Skywards Miles bonus
    • Check-in at the Business Class counters
    • Priority baggage delivery
    • Additional allowance for checked baggage *.
    • Free lounges access
  • Platinum status:
    • Skywards miles can be used to book rewards directly online (including flights and upgrades to a higher class)
    • Special member-only offers and travel packages for each category
    • Earn miles and book awards with global partners
    • Designate a personal travel coordinator
    • Storage of personal preferences
    • Free seat selection
    • Excess baggage allowance
    • Priority on waiting lists
    • Earn bonus miles on Emirates flights
    • Priority services through the Contact Centers
    • Guaranteed seat, even on fully booked flights
    • Classic Flex Plus “Last Seat” award tickets*are available at Emirates Contact Centers.
    • Gold partner nomination
    • No expiration date for Skywards miles
    • Immediate upgrade to a higher class purchasable with miles at check-in (at the airport)
    • Priority check-in and boarding
    • Free lounges access
    • Paid access to lounges
    • Immediate upgrade to a higher class that can be purchased with miles (on board) (Special tickets do not allow an award upgrade to the higher class. If you have purchased a Special ticket, you cannot request upgrade to a higher class for a family member or friend directly on board using Skywards miles)
    • Wi-Fi connection
    • Special offers for members based on membership category
    • Your World Rewards
    • Priority baggage delivery
    • Skywards bonus miles
    • Check-in at the Business Class counters
    • Priority baggage delivery
    • Additional allowance for checked luggage*.
    • Free lounges access

*Additional baggage allowance is only valid if flydubai flight fare includes checked baggage.

List of Emirates partner airlines:

  • flydubai
  • Qantas
  • United
  • Air Canada
  • Aegan Airlines
  • Air Baltic
  • Air Malta
  • Air Mauritius
  • Azul
  • Bangkok Airways
  • Baltik Air
  • China Southern Airlines
  • Copa Airlines
  • Garuda Indonesia
  • GOL Airlines
  • Gulf Air
  • Japan Airlines
  • Jetstar Airways
  • Jetstar Asia
  • JetBlue
  • Korean Air
  • Royal Air Maroc
  • S7 Airlines
  • Airlink
  • South African Airways
  • Tap Portugal
  • Thai Airways
  • Tunis Air
  • WesJet

ITA Airways

Volare is the frequent flyer programme of ITA Airways. Currently you can only accumulate points that will be credited by 28 February 2022, from 1 March 2022 you will have access to all the benefits and offers.

You can sign up for free online and depending on the points you accumulate you will be able to access one of the programme’s clubs:

  • Smart
  • Plus
  • Premium
  • Executive

7. American Airlines

American Airlines’ frequent flyer program is called AAdvantage, members can earn miles with American Airlines, oneworld® and their partners. Miles are earned through flights or other services.

The benefits you can access through AAdvantage are:

  • Flights to almost 1,000 destinations worldwide
  • Upgrade
  • Car rental and hotel stays
  • Other commercial products

With the AAdvantage program you can qualify for status through Loyalty Points. You earn Loyalty Points by earning miles with AAadvantage partners. 1 AAdvantage mile = 1 Loyalty points. The statuses are as follows:

Goldoneworld® Ruby

  • AAdvantage® member
    • You earn 5 miles per dollar*
  • AAdvantage Gold®
    • 40% status mileage bonus, 7 miles per dollar*
  • AAdvantage Platinum®
    • 60% status mileage bonus, 8 miles per dollar*
  • AAdvantage Platinum Pro®
    • 80% status mileage bonus, 8 miles per dollar*
  • AAdvantage Executive Platinum®
    • 120% status mileage bonus, 11 miles per dollar*

*Basic Economy tickets issued after January 1, 2023 or after March 1, 2023 will earn 2 miles per dollar. As a status member, you will also receive bonus miles in addition to the base miles earned on eligible flights.

List of American Airlines partner airlines:

  • Compagnie oneworld®
    • American Airlines
    • British Airways
    • Cathay Pacific
    • Finnair
    • Japan Airlines
    • Malaysia Airlines
    • Qantas
    • Qatar Airways
    • Royal Air Maroc
    • Royal Jordanian
    • SriLankan Airlines
  • Air Tahiti Nui 
  • Cape Air 
  • China Southern Airlines 
  • Etihad Airways 
  • Fiji Airways 
  • GOL Airlines 
  • Hawaiian Airlines 
  • JetBlue 
  • Seaborne Virgin Islands 

8. Iberia

Iberia’s frequent flyer system is called Iberia plus and like British Airways uses Avios accumulation. You can get them through flight bookings, the services of the company’s partners, with promotions and with products of the Iberia Plus Program. One Avios corresponds to one mile of flying through Iberia and associated partners and you can use Avios for:  

  • Your flights (A minimum number of seats that can be purchased with Avios is guaranteed on all flights)
  • An upgrade from Flexible Economy Class (fares Y, B or H) to Iberia Business Class.
  • Book hotel stays or rental cars, for leisure activities or shopping with more than 90 partners at your disposal.
  • With Avios&Money you can pay part of the amount with Avios and the rest with money, with a benefit of up to 50% off the amount in exchange for Avios for flight, hotel, rental car and activity bookings.

Iberia’s status that allow the accumulation of avios are:

  • Clásica
    • Access to a higher class with your Avios and 24/7 support
    • Priorities in airport waiting lists
    • Get 5 Avios for every euro you spend on your travel purchases (excluding taxes and fees)
  • Plata
    • Get 6 Avios for every euro you spend on your travel purchases (excluding taxes and fees).
    • You save time during check-in.
    • No waiting list for your reservations
    • Increased baggage allowance
    • 6250 or 12,500 PE over two years
    • Enjoy exclusive benefits from our partners
  • Oro
    • VIP treatment for boarding, waiting rooms and parking.
    • Guaranteed place
    • Get 7 Avios for every euro you spend on your travel purchases (excluding taxes and fees).
    • Gold Service
  • Platino
    • Two free updates
    • Avios personal credit
    • An Iberia Plus Gold card to give to whomever you want
    • Platinum service
    • Get 8 Avios for every euro you spend on your travel purchases (excluding taxes and fees).
  • Plus Infinita
    • Dedicated customer care telephone service
    • An Iberia Plus Gold card to give to whomever you want
    • Two free upgrades per year
    • Your Avios never expire
    • Get 8 Avios for every euro you spend on your travel purchases (excluding taxes and fees)
  • Plus Infinita Prime
    • 2 Iberia Plus Gold cards to give to whomever you like
    • 4 free upgrades per year
    • Guaranteed availability for the Avios use
    • Payment exemption for additional costs
    • Get 8 Avios for every euro you spend on your travel purchases (excluding taxes and fees).

List of Iberia partner companies:

  • Iberia group (Iberia, Iberia Express, Iberia Regional Air Nostrum)
  • Vueling
  • LEVEL
  • Binter
  • Compagnie oneworld®
    • American Airlines
    • British Airways
    • Cathay Pacific
    • Finnair
    • Japan Airlines
    • Malaysia Airlines
    • Qantas
    • Qatar Airways
    • Royal Air Maroc
    • Royal Jordanian
    • SriLankan Airlines

What can BizAway do for your frequent flyer program?

With BizAway you will have all your loyalty programs at your fingertips! In fact, BizAway allows you to insert all your frequent flyer cards within the platform and continue to accumulate miles with all your bookings.

To sum it up

The main frequent flyer programs have free membership and allow you, if you are a frequent traveler, to earn miles that will give you the opportunity to take advantage of discounts or benefits.