Thank you again. This means a lot to us.”
The crown returns to Hyatt Gold Passport from last year’s winner, Marriott Rewards. Four confirmed suite upgrades at booking and complimentary breakfast for Diamond members are two of the most valued Gold Passport elite benefits. Add in excellent customer service, free Internet for all elite members and you have a winning elite program.
Give me one winner please…Flying Blue! They’ve been up on stage already tonight. For many years, Flying Blue has been missing from the Freddie Awards. They have been doing a lot of work and are happy to be on stage tonight.
New Freddie darling Flying Blue wins again, this time for Best Elite Level. Flying Blue elites receive an additional 50, 75 and 100 percent earning bonus for Silver, Gold and Platinum, respectively. Elite members also have access to additional award inventory for more miles.
Flying Blue introduced elite rollover miles last year so all Level miles (elite-qualifying miles) earned beyond the status threshold will be rolled over to the following year.
Virgin Australia pulls ahead of Jet Airways JetPrivilege for another Freddie win. El Al Matmid Club had a higher value vote at 8.89 but with only 1.31 percent of the votes, they didn’t make the cut.
Platinum members receive four complimentary upgrades per year on domestic flights from qualifying fares and Gold and Platinum members receive complimentary access to the Virgin Australia lounge. Silver members receive two single entry passes and a discounted lounge membership.
“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.
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.
“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.