With their new Northeast Alliance continuing to grow, American Airlines and JetBlue confirmed the initial elite status benefits for travelers using the partner airline. Don’t expect too much, however. The initial reciprocity is spectacularly limited.
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Elite earning bonuses and adjustments for American, JetBlue
American Airlines and JetBlue recognize that elite requalification thresholds remain a challenge for many travelers. The carriers have come up with shifts in earning means and promotions to help boost accounts, though each in a slightly different manner.
JetBlue, American launch frequent flyer earning reciprocity
American Airlines and JetBlue passengers can now earn points flying on the other carrier. The two airlines announced details of their frequent flyer earning reciprocity plans today, part of their Northeast Alliance efforts.
Reciprocal upgrades coming to American, Alaska Airlines
As the west-coast alliance between Alaska Airlines and American Airlines continues to evolve some frequent flyers got good news this week: upgrades will be available to top tier elites across both loyalty programs.
Shifting the spread on loyalty earn and burn
We know that overall passenger numbers are, for very good reason, down massively. But airlines have relied on their loyalty programs to provide a significant, and perhaps more importantly steady, stream of revenue for the operations. So, as the airlines use those programs to collateralize billions of dollars in new financing, it is worth considering if that revenue flow is as reliable as airlines (and debt holders) hope it can be.
American Airlines adds AAdvantage redemption option for Five Star Service
How can you make the loyalty program more relevant for the travelers slowly returning to the skies over North America? Points and travel are not a compelling as they were last year, but American Airlines is hoping that its AAdvantage members will consider spending some of their account balance to gain a bit of extra comfort and privacy during their travel day through the Five Star Services program.
American Airlines details fraudulent AAdvantage behaviors
If you’re going to pick a fight with the airlines over “stolen” points make sure you’ve covered your tracks. This appears to be the lesson for one American Airlines AAdvantage member after an effort to recover points from a cancelled trip turned in to an Exposé of fraud.
JetBlue offers free TrueBlue Mosaic status, plus a year extension
JetBlue waited longer than most to announce plans for its TrueBlue loyalty program in the wake of the coronavirus groundings. But it appears the carrier used that time wisely. With its announcement today JetBlue draws on similar actions from many other carriers but pulls them together in a package that might deliver outsized value to its members.
American brings priority handling, NDC booking to corporate customers
How can an airline boost its corporate travel share? American Airlines trotted out a set of benefits this week that is comparable to some elite status or co-brand credit card perks, hoping to convert more potential customers into real elites with those CCs.
Evolving co-brand: AAdvantage adjusts soft benefits for cardholders
Should you buy miles at 2 cents each on a recurring basis? Probably not, but the Flight Cents program from AAdvantage and Barclays will almost certainly do brisk business.