| Those of us who travel regularly on established | | | | of the larger budget airlines looked to introduce a |
| airlines have been used to the benefits of frequent | | | | frequent flyer programme. The promise of greater |
| flyer schemes. Finally, it looks like budget airlines are | | | | market share and a loyal customer base was just |
| taking a leaf out of the same book and looking at | | | | too good a chance to miss. |
| introducing similar schemes for their customers. | | | | Flybee, a leading UK regional operator, have now |
| The basic premise behind a frequent flyer scheme is | | | | taken the plunge and introduced a programme that |
| fairly simple - if you frequently fly with an airline | | | | they are calling Rewards For All. The scheme will be |
| operator then they reward you for your loyalty by | | | | in use on their flights to more than 40 UK and |
| giving you some sort of future benefits, such as a | | | | European destinations. |
| free flight or discount. | | | | Passengers using Flybee for a standard return flight |
| Traditional airlines, such as British Airways, have | | | | will receive 2 points per booking. Those making use |
| operated such schemes for some time. They've | | | | of the Flybee Economy Plus service will receive 4 |
| proved popular with customers, mainly because many | | | | points for a return trip. |
| of us like to think that we are getting something for | | | | Once a customer reaches 16 points, they can trade |
| nothing. They've also been advantageous to the | | | | those points in and receive a free return flight. That |
| airlines, as they've encouraged loyalty, ensuring that | | | | means that you could potentially be receiving a free |
| customers have looked to use the same airline on | | | | return flight after only 4 bookings - an enticing offer. |
| multiple occasions. | | | | For those who reach 20 frequent flyer points, there |
| Budget airlines have been slow to react with | | | | will be the opportunity to exchange them for a year's |
| schemes of their own. Some industry analysts have | | | | pass to the airlines VIP lounge service. |
| suggested that their reticence has been due to their | | | | Such innovation in the budget airline industry is |
| low prices, lower profit margins and lack of | | | | undoubtedly to be welcomed. The airline's rivals look |
| competition on some of their routes. | | | | sure to follow suit. |
| It was, however, only a matter of time before some | | | | |