With today’s current economy, we are often asked how companies can reduce travel costs while still being able to travel in business or first class – especially when travelling internationally. Well, here are a couple of ideas:

• Purchase Coach And Use Personal Miles For Business Class
When traveling internationally personal frequent flier points can be used for upgrading as opposed to purchasing retail business or first class tickets. This will be a tremendous savings to the company.
• Utilize Business Class Tickets From A Wholesaler
Travel Management Companies such as Safe Harbors have access to discounted or wholesale business class tickets. These tickets are typically restricted with very few opportunities to make changes but the savings can be as high as 50% per ticket.

Strategies such as these have always been around but there isn’t a better time than now to save money and arrive at your destination ready to conduct business.

I hope these tips help and as always, we thank you for your business!

Jay Ellenby
President/CEO

The Art of Frequent Flyer Management

Since the inception of the frequent-user-programs/frequent flyer programs in the travel industry, credited to American Airlines as the initiator, the air carriers have spent quite a bit of money researching various concepts to build product loyalty. They have expanded these programs to include money spent when using credit cards, hotel stays, renting a car, dinning out and a plethora of other ways you can accumulate points.

We decided we wanted to raise the question: Are you managing your frequent user programs well?

Currently, credit cards, hotel nights and car rentals, amongst other earning potential helps guide your buying decisions. Why not ensure you are maximizing your earnings.

Rate your habits: Am I on the road a lot and can be best served by multiple program memberships?
Or – Do I only travel once a month and should consider one loyalty program?
Balance your point accumulation between direct earnings in the carrier program and their partners – Credit card – Hotels and Car –

There are bargains available. Perhaps this is not the time to redeem miles for air tickets and hotel stays; but consider using the points for dinning out, theatre tickets or gifts for family and friends. Most programs offer other ways for you to use up your points, check on-line with your preferred program.

Book when available: There are no set rules on when it is best to book program points.
Insights to consider:
On legacy carriers seat inventory opens 11 months prior to departure
If it is a school vacation or holiday – available seats will be very limited
Carriers only provide limited inventory for redemption
Planning in advance is helpful, so is flexibility to travel alternate dates or checking close to departure
Consider mid-week to mid-week travel

Watch for Fees: many programs have fees for last minute redemption, transfer of points and other such tasks. Be certain to read the fine print in your member guides.

Some added thoughts to consider:

• Did you know that 1 ½ trips to Africa earns enough miles for a free domestic ticket?
• Did you know that you can earn miles on all of our missionary/humanitarian fare tickets on many of our special fare programs?
• Did you know that on the lowest booking codes British Airways and other carriers do not allow for mileage accrual, or they may only allow mileage to accrual at 25% of the mileage flown?

We invite you to add your thoughts and comments about your experiences here on our blog.

• Minimize changes
Get a better handle on your schedule. Multiple airline change fees can eventually cost more than the ticket if your trips are planned poorly. Buying non-refundable versus refundable and then making multiple changes adds up quickly.
If the fare is $450 for a non-refundable ticket and the penalty to make a change is $150, the ticket for the same trip now costs $600 (if at the same fare level); two more changes the cost is now $900.
For travel in the US it is possible to find refundable fares that are less than $900 in some markets. The value is to consider your type of travel needs. Ask yourself: Am I likely to make multiple changes to my plans; if so, perhaps buying a refundable fare makes more sense.
Our travel councilors can help you to comparatively shop based on your specific travel needs.