WestJet's Frequent Guest Program turns one and we ask them 15 questions about the program

The WestJet Frequent Guest program recently celebrated its first birthday and I had the chance to talk to WestJet about the program, how the first year went and what the future of the program may hold. Many thanks to Richard B. and Lauri F. over at WestJet for taking the time to answer these questions.

1. Did WestJet do anything special for the launch of the FGP? (Internally and/or Externally)
Absolutely. We had a big celebration internally to kick off the program. This was celebrated not only in our head office in Calgary but at all Canadian bases across our network. Each employee was presented with a passport wallet to commemorate the launch of the program. At WestJet, we celebrate many momentous occasions and the launch of our own frequent guest program was cause for celebration.

Externally, we launched a campaign to raise awareness of the new program through our Jet Mail program, the travel agent community and through the travel trade media and traditional media. We also made extensive use of our social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook to promote FGP.

2. What has been the response in the first year for the WestJet RBC MasterCards?
The response has been positive. Many of our guests have told us how much they appreciate the simplicity of reward dollars that can be earned on everything they purchase. This is further evidenced by the fact that we have cardholders and FGP members who have redeemed not only once but several times since the launch of the program.

3. What has been the response in the first year for the FGP program itself?
The response has been very good. The idea that you can begin to use your WestJet dollars once a threshold has been reached has been positive. Our guests also appreciate that there are bonuses as you reach each subsequent milestone.

The program is unique – once our guests understand it and realize the value it offers compared to other programs they are engaged, using it and we are seeing strong redemption.

4. Has enrolment in the program met or exceeded your first year targets?
We don’t disclose information regarding targets.

5. Have credit card sign up met or exceeded your first year targets?
We don’t disclose information regarding targets.

6. Have many members who are not WestJet credit card holders succeeded in reaching the set spend levels?
These are thresholds that we do not disclose.

7. Do you see a trend of members redeeming their balances each time they book or are more members hoarding for that big trip?
It’s still a bit early to determine any sort of trending as it relates to their dollars. I believe the notion of hoarding came from other programs where it took awhile before you could reach a level. We’ve heard from guests on both sides; those who are still saving and those who began to use their dollars as soon as they were eligible.

8. Looking back on your launch and the first year of operation, is there anything you would have changed before the launching of the program?
There are a few things such as the ability to use the guest-generated user name as the login ID rather than the 9 digit ID which is generated by the system. We are working on that now and look forward to introducing this initiative. The whole program is rooted in simplicity and it would be much simpler for the guest to be able to login with a username they have chosen.

9. Your first FGP partner outside of RBC and WestJet Vacations is American Airlines, do you have more planned in the immediate future (ie 6-12 months) In particular any hotel or car partners that you will be able to earn WestJet dollars at?
Nothing that we can discuss at this point. As part of our strategic planning cycle each year, we look at a variety of initiatives across the airline so we have certainly taken the time to review the program and prepare several scenarios of what we might do in the future.

10. Will the relationship between WestJet's FGP and American AAdvantage program be expanded beyond earning on code share routes? ie earning WestJet $$ for American Airlines flights only (not code share) or vice versa?
This is something we can not provide information on at this time.

11. Will you eventually be able to redeem WestJet $ for American AAirlines flights (code share and/or non code-share) and vice versa for AAdvantage members? If so, do you see any issues arising in direct competition for the WestJet RBC MasterCard from the TD Canada Trust AAdvantage card?

We are at the very early stages of our discussions as it relates to redemption with code share partners. Nothing we can say at this point.

12. I noticed that WestJet is starting to offer FGP bonuses outside of the CC and set spend levels. Do you foresee this as continuing or are they experiments at this time (ie Eastern triangle $25 bonus)
They are promotional bonuses to help support our strategic expansion into the eastern triangle. It reflects the flexibility and the power of the program. From time to time, we will leverage it tactically where we see a benefit.

13. Do you see any benefit in offering a bonus like that above when you launch a new route?
It’s certainly something we could look at but no plans at this point for new route launches to include FGP. FGP will become a promotional tool that we can leverage for future initiatives.

14. Do you ever see the WestJet FGP moving to a coalition model like Air Miles or Aeroplan?
Not at this point. Our first priority is on our program and to ensure that we are working on the airline partnerships we have in place. That will provide the greatest value for our guests while ensuring that those who fly with us are being rewarded for their patronage.

15. Anything else you would like to add about the WestJet FGP?
Sign up!

For more details on the WestJet FGP or to sign up for the program please visit the Rewards section of the WestJet website.

All Marriott Rewards members now entitled to free Internet at Asia Pacific properties

Marriott has recently enhanced their program by giving their members free Internet access at their properties in the Asia Pacific region. Previously free Internet was only available to Gold  &Platinum elite members (as is the case for stays outside the region).

The free internet access is available for stays at any JW Marriott, Renaissance Hotels, Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Courtyard by Marriott in the Asia Pacific region.

The Asia Pacific region includes Australia, China (and Hong Kong), Guam, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam.

The free internet access is also extended to Ritz-Carlton Rewards members choosing to stay at the above participating brands in Asia Pacific.

Full details

Aeroplan lowers minimum mileage accumulation

In what can be regarded as another downgrade to the Aeroplan program, as of August 1, 2011 the minimum number of Aeroplan Miles accumulated based on distance flown on Air Canada and Star Alliance member airline flights will change from 500 to 250 miles. The program that used to be called a Frequent Flyer program continues to devalue what was once its core business, the people who travel on Air Canada. Instead the program, which in the industry is now considered a coalition loyalty program is more focused on selling miles to retailers, credit card companies and the like. Why do I say this? Well the Frequent Flyer industry in the past six months has seen many programs start to give back to its loyal members rather than take away. Some  examples include Delta SkyMiles removing mileage expiry rules, British Airways increasing the mileage earned on discounted flights from 25% to 100% (plus their minimum is still 500 miles for BA flights) and Saudi Arabian's Alfursan also increasing the minimum mileage earned in all classes. From an outsiders point of view it seems that all the negative press about the recent increased redemption rates for reward tickets, upgrade devaluations for tier members and the ongoing negativity for expiring miles just isn't enough for Aeroplan.

The new earning structure for minimum miles will be as follows:
* For distance flown up to 249 miles, Aeroplan members will earn 250 Aeroplan Miles.
* For distance flown of 250 miles and more, Aeroplan members will earn miles according to the actual miles flown

What Air Canada does not mention is how this affects the lowest fare level called Tango. As of now, Tango only earns a minimum of 125 miles (ie 25% of the 500 for Tango Plus or higher fare classes), does that mean Tango fares will only earn 62.5 miles for flights up to 249 miles in length?

Now, if you are a status member with Air Canada (Prestige, Elite, Super Elite) this change will not affect you as you will continue to earn a minimum of 500 miles for flights. This is also the case on the very competitive eastern triangle where any Aeroplan member travelling on Rapidair flights between Toronto Pearson International Airport and Montreal or Ottawa, or between Toronto City Airport and Montreal will continue to earn a minimum number of 500 Aeroplan Miles (I assume once again on Tango Plus or higher fares only)

You can find the minimum details on the change to minimum mileage accumulation here

Aeroplan announces Facebook initiative for Beyond Miles Program.

"Aeroplan today announced a new Facebook initiative in celebration of the fifth anniversary of its Beyond Miles Program.  Starting today until May 31^st, Aeroplan will donate 50 Aeroplan Miles to its nine Beyond Miles Program charitable partners for each 'Like' that Aeroplan receives on Facebook up to a total of 1.5 million Aeroplan Miles.  To 'Like' Aeroplan on Facebook, please visit: www.facebook.com/aeroplan."

Source Aeroplan

Expanded Travel Rewards Credit Card Comparisons now on RewardsCanada.ca

We are pleased to announce that we have expanded our travel reward credit card comparison charts on the RewardsCanada.ca website. You are probably familiar with our mainstay and often referenced "Most Popular Card" comparison chart that has been around since September 2004. Since the launch of that chart we added a few cards to it but it still only covers less then half of all the travel rewards credit cards available to Canadians. That has led us to create a chart to cover all the travel rewards credit cards in the Canadian market and we have also added broken down charts that cover the main reward types: Travel Points, Airline, Hotel and Hybrid. You can view each of the charts via the following links:

1. Most Popular Travel Rewards Credit Cards
A comparison of some of the more popular travel rewards credit cards

2. All Canadian Travel Rewards Credit Cards
A comparison of ALL the travel rewards credit cards in Canada.

3. Travel Points Credit Cards Only
A comparison of all the Travel Points travel rewards credit cards in Canada

4. Hybrid Credit Cards Only
A  comparison of all the Hybrid travel rewards credit cards in Canada

5. Airline (Frequent Flyer) Credit Cards Only
A comparison of all the Airline travel rewards credit cards in Canada.

6. Hotel (Frequent Guest) Credit Cards Only
A comparison of all the Hotel travel rewards credit cards in Canada.

We hope you enjoy these new additions to the Rewards Canada site and look forward to your feedback on them. They will be updated on a regular basis as has been the case for our "Most Popular" chart for the past 6-1/2 years.

Lufthansa's Toronto - Dusseldorf route moves to year round service

According to Airline Route Updates, Lufthansa's seasonal service between Toronto and Dusseldorf will become a year round flight. The flight operates 3 times weekly with an Airbus A330-300. This is good news for Miles and More members (and Star Alliance flyers) out of Canada as it keeps open additional flight options to Germany outside of the busier Frankfurt and Munich hubs.

Aeroplan set to increase reward ticket levels and improve online booking tool

An interesting press release from Aeroplan today which tries to promote the good over the bad. The good is that they are once again enhancing the online booking tool for Aeroplan reward tickets to offer more flight options, flexibility and more self service functionality.

Quoted enhancements from the press release:

- An improved flight reward booking tool that augments the search
capability and results visibility on both aeroplan.com and in
Aeroplan's Contact Centre, optimizing Aeroplan's use of the Star
Alliance network and providing its members with more route options,
more destinations, more flexible flying times and fewer connections;


- Access to last minute seats through the Last-Minute Travel Tool
showcasing available destinations for travel within the next 14 days
(displaying outbound availability within the next 14 days and inbound
availability within the next 28 days) on some of its members' most
popular routes at Classic mileage levels, making it easier to travel on
a whim;


- A new online calendar functionality that helps members easily view all
their flight reward availability at a glance including all economy and
business class options for both Air Canada and Star Alliance carriers.

Now to the bad, citing increasing costs of providing reward tickets to its members, Aeroplan will be increasing base reward ticket mileage levels. Overall, Aeroplan states the average increase will be under 5% for all Classic Awards and Star Alliance flight rewards. Looking at the revised chart, the majority of the increases for Air Canada flights are in business class tickets originating in Canada and the majority of tickets between other regions (eg Europe to Central America). On the Star Alliance reward side, there many more increases to bring these rewards in line with the rewards for Air Canada only flights. One of the biggest increases, takes away one the best Aeroplan redemptions, a first class ticket from Canada to Asia. Previously this Star Alliance Award ticket was only 120,000 Aeroplan miles and as of July 15 it will jump roughly 46% to 175,000 miles! So if this was a reward you were looking for you best redeem for it soon! This was a reward I had just looked at when figuring out the rate of return on the various Aeroplan credit cards and it was one of the best as on occasion it was well over 10% but that will quickly drop with this change.

Without fully penalizing Aeroplan, they did lower a few Star Alliance reward levels namely those for flights from North America to the Middle East, Africa, and India.

To see the new reward mileage requirements please visit Aeroplan.com's Reward Chart

To read the entire press release see here.

I'd love to hear what all of our readers think of these changes, good or bad by leaving a comment below!

Changes to IHG's Priority Club announced

We had mentioned that changes were forthcoming to InterContinental Hotels Group Priority and those were officially announced on March 29. Usually when news starts trickling out about changes, it means the change is going to be big, whether it be good or bad (think Hilton HHonors early in 2010). However in this case the majority of the changes are not very significant but do represent some industry firsts. The new benefits/changes to the program are as follows:

Last Minute Reward Nights:
A hotel industry first, “Last Minute Reward Nights” will allow Priority Club members globally to redeem Reward Nights at a 50% discount off the regular point price, for selected properties. Members will receive an e-mail on Monday providing a list of hotels where this offer will be available the following weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Initially, this program will be offered on the first full weekend of every month, starting with May 6, 7 and 8, 2011.

This is the best enhancement to the program, it is always nice to get discounted reward nights especially for last minute travel/getaways. The one big concern that may come up here is whether IHG will keep their Priority Club Point Breaks feature where reward nights at select hotels ranging from lower end HI Express to luxury InterContinenal Hotels can be had for 5,000 points. I think we will find out about this at the end of April as the current selection of Point Breaks hotel offers expire on April 30 with the following weekend being the first "Last Minute Rewards Nights".

The other changes/enhancements are not that exciting but are technically additional benefits:
Points & Cash for Merchandise Rewards: Also a hotel industry first, Priority Club members in the U.S. will be able to redeem a combination of Priority Club points and cash for brand name retail merchandise rewards. Priority Club Rewards currently offers points and cash capability on Reward Nights, but this will expand that functionality to merchandise rewards, a feature not offered anywhere in the industry. The program will roll out globally beginning late 2011.


“Lucky Points” Sweepstakes: This feature will give members based in the US, Canada, and UK the chance to turn their extra points into great rewards. Members will be able to redeem a very small quantity of Priority Club points (e.g., 100 or 200 points per entry) in exchange for a chance to win the prize or prizes that are most appealing to them. Typically, members will have 6-8 different prize draws to select from, ranging from terrific hotel packages (e.g. 4 nights at the InterContinental Times Square- New York) to popular merchandise (e.g., iPads), and even 1 million Priority Club points! Priority Club Rewards will be the only travel loyalty program to offer members this chance to turn a single stay into a huge prize! The program will roll out in China and Japan beginning fall 2011.


Downloadable Media Rewards: Priority Club Rewards will be the first travel loyalty program to give members the flexibility to redeem their points directly for downloadable media, including the latest music hits and millions of other songs, plus eBooks, mobile games and applications, and computer software. This will open up a terrific opportunity for members to turn relatively small quantities of points into tangible rewards. The program will initially rollout online in English globally and in several European languages beginning late 2011.

Source (and a good examination of the changes): Loyalty Traveler

Air Canada cancels Toronto - Dayton service

Air Canada has announced that they will no longer fly their route between Toronto and Dayton Ohio as of May 1.

Source: Flyertalk

Club Carlson Officially launched

Yesterday marked the official launch of Carlson Hotel's Club Carlson frequent guest program. The new program replaces the Goldpointsplus program and promises to be more rewarding for those who frequent the brands under the Carlson Hotels umbrella. The currency of the program remains the same however as members will continue to earn Gold Points for their hotel stays.

Reiterating our previous post on the new program, the Club Carlson program will "introduce a new elite tier called "Concierge" which will offer complimentary upgrades, continental breakfast, early check-in/late check-out and 75% bonus points. And following in Marriott's footsteps, Carlson will offer rollover nights which allows Elite members to roll over extra nights for the following year's elite re-qualification"

Members will continue to earn 20 Gold Points per eligible dollar spent and free award nights will start at 9,000 points for Category 1 hotels and cap out at 50,000 points for Category 6 hotels. They are also going with no black out dates on award night redemptions which should mean that if a standard room is available you can redeem for it. If you don't have enough points the program also offers a points+cash option which will require between 5,000 -15,000 points depending on the category and certain amount of cash which is determined at time of booking.

Status is awarded as follows:
* Silver Status – 15 nights/10 stays per year
* Gold Status – 35 nights/20 stays per year
* Concierge Status – 75 nights/30 stays per year

Benefits for each level of the program are as follows:

Benefits
Points: Room Revenue	•	•	•	•
Points: Food and Beverage	•	•	•	•
Hotel Redemption Offers (Standard, Points + Cash)	•	•	•	•
Partner Redemption Offers (Airlines, Prepaid Cards)	•	•	•	•
Free High-Speed Internet*	•	•	•	•
Online Booking Points Bonus	1000 points	2000 points	2000 points	3000 points
Complimentary Room Upgrade		•	•	•
Point Bonus		25%	50%	75%
Elite Roll Over Nights		•	•	•
Early Check In/Late Check Out		•	•	•
Elite Customer Service Line		•	•	•
In-Room Welcome Gift			•	•
Room Availability Guarantee			72 hrs	48 hrs
Free Continental Breakfast				•
Concierge Service (starting mid-2011)				•

To celebrate the launch of the new program, Club Carlson's first system-wide promotion will reward members with a free award night after the completion of 2 qualifying paid stays at participating Radisson, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Park Inn and Park Plaza hotels worldwide. You can register and book now for qualifying stays between Apr 15 and Jun 15, 11 at www.clubcarlson.com/freenight

We have also launched a new Club Carlson bonus opportunities page which will replace the old Goldpointsplus page on RewardsCanada.ca

Complete details on the program can be found at ClubCarlson.com