Air Miles UK hits back with giveaway campaign
Air Miles in the UK has launched 'The Great Air Miles Giveaway' campaign, in which the number of miles needed for free flights has been cut dramatically for many routes. This move coincides with the launch of Nectar, the new coalition loyalty programme from Air Miles founder Keith Mills.
Offering its members up to 75% off standard mileage, the campaign could be viewed as a pre-emptive measure to encourage Air Miles members to stay loyal during the nationwide launch of the Nectar programme (September 12th, 2002).
The 'giveaway' campaign covers flight departures from October 2002 until the end of June 2003, although the prices for US and long haul destinations will increase for departures from the beginning of April 2003.
Cheaper flights Flights to New York are down to 2,000 miles plus £64 - a saving of 4,800 miles. Rome is down to 1,000 miles plus £24, saving members 800 miles. Another example is Frankfurt at 250 miles plus £31, saving 250 miles. Flights are from Heathrow or Gatwick, depending on the chosen destination, and the offer applies to more than half a million seats on over 80 British Airways routes.
The few simple terms and conditions that apply to the offer are as follows:· One way flights are not permitted· Children must be accompanied by an adult· The tickets are economy class only· All bookings must be made by December 24th, 2002
Retail partners Air Miles has welcomed some new retail partners to its scheme, allowing members to collect miles on their shopping, utility bills, mobile 'phone bills, and on their car and home insurance. The new partners are UK department store House of Fraser, Air Miles Energy gas & electricity, O2 (previously known as BT Cellnet), and Lloyds TSB insurances.
At present, all flights are redeemed through British Airways. However, Air Miles states that: "We may invite other partner airlines to join the promotion if it looks like demand will outstrip the supply we have with British Airways."
Air Miles members can already collect miles online, for business services (Regus), for travel bookings (Avis, Marriott, Irish Ferries, P&O Portsmouth, Travelex, BCP Airport Parking, and Stanfords travel books), for communications (Freeserve and Quip), for food and drink (Tesco.com and Air Miles Wine Club), for finance (NatWest and PetPlan insurance), for utility bills (Scottish Hydro-Electric, Swalec and Souther Electric), and for domestic and electronic goods (Dabs.com and Appliances Online).
Offline, there is a wide range of partners from which consumers can earn their miles, including Grand Heritage Hotels, Hilton HHonors, Marriott Rewards, Grange Hotels, Thistle Hotels, Cawoods Coal, Coutts & Co, AXA Sun Life, Shell Visa Card, Lloyds TSB Home & Car Insurance, Air Miles MasterCard, Direct Line Personal Loans, Flying Flowers, Ernest Jones (jewellers), Homebase (DIY), Chamberlain Garage Doors, National Tyres and Autocare, RAC, Shell, House of Fraser, BT (landlines, telephones and internet access), Air Miles Flights for Cash, Business Traveller Magazine, and British Airways.
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