Apr 25, 2013 | 2013 Freddie Awards, Best Elite Program
“Thank you – we do this for you guys who travel on our planes every day!”
Elite members are happy with American AAdvantage and the program wins Best Elite Program in the Americas for the second consecutive year, just squeezing past TAM Fidelidade. Top-tier elites get eight confirmed upgrades valid from any fare, something unmatched by their competitors, and unlimited complimentary upgrades on domestic flights. Platinum members receive a 100 percent flight bonus and elite members who don’t get upgraded are recognized with a complimentary drink and buy-on-board snack. Members report that the elite help desk also provides exemplary customer service.
Apr 25, 2013 | 2013 Freddie Awards, Program of the Year
Moving on, we’re down to three more awards. “I wish we had more, I could do this all night long,” says Petersen. These are all great programs but only one is taking home the Freddie.
“We’re very happy with all these awards. And we take these awards home with us as inspiration to keep our customers happy.”
With an impressive and commanding value vote and percentage of voters, Air France / KLM Flying Blue takes the Program of the Year Freddie Award. While KLM has a few Freddies under its belt from its Flying Dutchman days, this is the first time Flying Blue has been awarded a Freddie Award.
As the frequent flyer program of Air France, KLM, Kenya Airways, TAROM and Air Europa, the program has an extensive network of destinations in Europe.
Apr 25, 2013 | 2013 Freddie Awards, Program of the Year
“Thanks so much again – very much appreciated!”
While this is the first time Virgin Australia Velocity has won a Freddie for Program of the Year, the program won a Freddie in this category in 2009 under its former name, Virgin Blue Velocity. The program is known for its ease of award redemption, which goes straight to the heart of a frequent traveler. Velocity offers last seat availability for additional points and members can pay with a combination of points and cash for flight awards. Award sales and bonus offers are also frequently offered to keep members engaged in the program.
Apr 25, 2013 | 2013 Freddie Awards, Program of the Year
Tell me who won that Freddie Award … American AAdvantage!
“My thanks to Randy and the Milepoint team. You have been an inspiration to us and helped us to make some changes to the program. And thanks to my amazing team here and back in Dallas!”
The granddaddy of all frequent flyer programs has done it again, winning Program of the Year in the Americas for a second year in a row. Even after all these years, it still delivers incredible value.
Elite members are happy and many would say that the program offers the best domestic award availability of any U.S. airline and some of the most lucrative international award redemptions in the industry.
Apr 25, 2013 | 2013 Freddie Awards
For the 25th Anniversary of the Freddie Awards, we took a look back at the winners, almost winners, one-time winners and more.
All-Time Biggest Winners
For the 25 years that we’ve been handing out these prestigious awards, Marriott has won the most overall with a very impressive 124 awards—that’s an average of five awards per year. Starwood follows Marriott with 113 awards and Continental won the most of any airline at 50 awards.
Longest Winning Streak in a Single Category
Southwest won 11 consecutive Best Award Redemption Freddie Awards to take this distinction.
The Most Freddies Won by a Single Program in a Single Year
Starwood hauled away a whopping 17 Freddie Awards from the 17th Annual Freddie Awards ceremony.
All-Time Program of the Year Winners
Continental won 10 Program of the Year Freddies in the Americas before it merged with United. Alaska Airlines comes in second place with five wins for Program of the Year. In the Americas hotel arena, Marriott takes the top spot with 14 wins. For airline programs outside the Americas, SAS won the most with seven and Starwood takes the top hotel spot internationally with 14.
Adjust for Inflation
Only 864 ballots were cast in the first Freddie Awards. This year, there were over 2.9 million—that’s a 335,548 percent increase.
Highways and High Raves
Budget Rent-A-Car is the only car rental program to have received a Freddie. Budget was awarded an Industry Impact Award in the 7th Annual Freddie Awards for their “Play It Smart” program.
