Frontier's frequent flier program tops in poll of travelers

Chris Walsh, Rocky Mountain News

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Forget the ability to cash in miles for a ticket to Asia or a roomy seat in first class.

Denver-based Frontier Airlines has built its frequent flier program around generous redemption policies, top-notch customer service and numerous ways to exchange miles.

That's according to frequent travelers, who gave the carrier's EarlyReturns program top honors in an annual poll.

The homegrown carrier - which doesn't fly overseas routes and offers only economy seating - received the nod for "program of the year" among airlines in North America. And it ranked No. 1 in the "best award" category for U.S. airlines, beating out large carriers such as United Airlines and discount rivals such as Southwest Airlines.

Frontier, which offers EarlyReturns members free tickets for as few as 7,500 reward miles, also ranked second for customer service and member communication in the 19th annual Freddie Awards, spearheaded by InsideFlyer, a Colorado Springs- based magazine.

It marks the first time Frontier has taken the top spot in any category of the Freddie Awards.

"This is far and away our best showing," Frontier spokesman Joe Hodas said. "I think it's a -real milestone for us."

EarlyReturns members can get a free ticket to most of Frontier's destinations for 15,000 frequent flier miles. The carrier offers limited-time deals on some routes, allowing customers to obtain reward travel for even fewer miles. It also lets members cash in their miles for restaurant certificates, merchandise, tickets to sporting and cultural events and travel packages.

Numerous airline frequent flier programs require travelers to cash in 25,000 miles for a free flight in the United States, although some offer rewards on shorter routes for 15,000 points.

Roughly 450,000 frequent travelers across the globe rated airline and hotel reward programs in eight categories. The Freddie awards are based on how highly voters rated the programs, rather than how many voted for a particular airline.

InsideFlyer and several other travel-related businesses presented the awards at a ceremony in Virginia Thursday night.

"This is not an elitist view of what works with these programs - we find the 'best' by asking those who spend a great deal of their life on the road," Randy Petersen, editor of InsideFlyer, said in a news release. Petersen was not available for comment Friday.

United Airlines - the largest carrier in Denver - received the "industry impact" award, while Southwest Airlines took top honors in "best reward redemption."

Frontier knocked Southwest from the top perch for "program of the year." Southwest won that award twice in the past five years, while Alaska Airlines won it three straight times from 2002 through 2004.

InterContinental Hotels Group was named as having the best reward program in North America.

Winners

19th annual Freddie Awards given to best frequent flier programs in the U.S., based on surveys of frequent travelers

• Program of the Year Frontier Airlines EarlyReturns

• Best Award Frontier Airlines EarlyReturns

• Best Bonus Promotion US Airways Dividend Miles

• Best Web Site Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

• Best Elite-Level Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

• Best Member Communications Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

• Best Award Redemption Southwest Rapid Rewards

• Best Customer Service Midwest Airlines Midwest Miles

• Industry Impact Award United Mileage Plus

walshc@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2744