Hotel Program of the Year [Middle East / Asia / Oceania] Taj InnerCircle

Finishing in the top four positions are Taj InnerCircle, Starwood Preferred Guest, Accor A|Club and IHG Priority Club Rewards.

This Freddie win seems to declare that Taj InnerCircle makes members feel special, truly like an inner circle of friends. You can earn points on your eligible spends on your room, food and beverage, laundry, telephone and business center and can spend points for luxurious hotel stays and lifestyle merchandise. All members can get 15 percent bonus points when choosing to stay in a Taj Earth-Friendly Green Room.

 

Hotel Program of the Year [Europe / Africa] Starwood Preferred Guest

Starwood Preferred Guest, IHG Priority Club Rewards, Marriott Rewards and Hyatt Gold Passport finish in the top four.

“This is a tribute to all of our members. Thank you!”

Starwood Preferred Guest has been a popular choice of hotel program for travelers residing in Europe for many years and the program is once again bringing home a Program of the Year Freddie Award in Europe / Africa having lost out the last couple of years. Starwood is a program that is always moving forward. In 2011, members liked where the program was leading them.

Airline Best Elite Program [Americas] American AAdvantage

The top four finishers in this category are American AAdvantage, Air Canada Aeroplan, Delta SkyMiles and Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan.

Suzanne Rubin, President, AAdvantage Loyalty Program accepts the Freddie. The American AAdvantage table is very happy tonight. “Thank you again, and on behalf of all the MegaDoers here, you inspired this.”

American AAdvantage really takes care of its elite members. Top-tier elites get international upgrades from any fare, something unmatched by their competitors. AAdvantage does a good job at upgrading elites and there’s even a comp cocktail and buy-on-board snack when top elites find themselves sitting in the back. Although all elite members, and not just the very top elites, must feel valued for American to win this award.

Airline Best Elite Program [Middle East / Asia / Oceania] Etihad Guest

The top four finishers in this category are Etihad Guest, Jet Airways JetPrivilege, Gulf Air Falconflyer and Virgin Australia Velocity.

Barry Green, Vice President CRM & Loyalty accepts the Freddie. “Thank you very much to our members again.”

This isn’t the first time representatives from this program have graced the Freddie stage (although this is the first time in this category). Etihad Guest knows how to take care of their best customers. In 2011, the program introduced a new top tier for their members, Gold Elite. Along with such benefits as first class lounge access, Gold Elite members can nominate another person to receive Silver status.

Airline Best Elite Program [Europe / Africa] airBaltic BalticMiles

The top four finishers in this category are airBaltic BalticMiles, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Lufthansa Miles & More and British Airways Executive Club.

Gabi Kool, CEO, accepts the award for airBaltic BalticMiles. “Wow! We aren’t a one-hit wonder. This is very special – elite travelers, that means something.”

We are officially now calling BalticMiles the little program that could. Although they are the new kid on the block, having launched in 2009, they are backed by industry veterans who know how to take care of their program’s best members.

Hotel Best Elite Program [Americas] Marriott Rewards

Marriott Rewards, Hyatt Gold Passport, Starwood Preferred Guest and Hilton HHonors take the top four spots.

Congratulations Marriott Rewards! Tina Kamdjou, Manager – Digital Product Development, accepts the award, “Thank you so much. Creating special experiences for our elite members means a lot to us”.

This is the 10th win for Marriott Rewards in this category. Elite Marriott Rewards members get bonus points with each stay, exclusive award offers, room upgrades, guaranteed lounge access/free breakfast, free Internet access and more depending on their status level. But most of all, as one frequent guest we spoke to stated, “… they made me feel special.”