Midwest Airlines rewards flying pets for their loyalty
Pets flying with their owners on Midwest Airlines can now earn loyalty rewards that allow them to fly free on a future flight after completing three round-trip flights with the airline.
Midwest Airlines has launched its Premier Pet programme, claimed to be the first of its kind in the United States, which awards pets one free roundtrip flight after flying with their owners on three paid roundtrip flights or six paid one-way flights. In addition members of the airline's frequent flyer programme, Midwest Miles, may earn a free trip for their pets by redeeming 15,000 miles.
Reassurance a priority Flying with a pet can often be an anxiety-ridden experience. Susan Kerwin-Hagen, coordinator of the Premier Pet programme and a trainer of show dogs, says Midwest makes an extra effort to reassure passengers travelling with pets.
"To lessen any anxiety, pets are allowed to check in with their owners at airport ticket counters, and pets are the last to be loaded and the first to be unloaded from the plane. We also have a special passenger notification tag attached to the kennel. After the pet is loaded, a portion of the tag is detached and given to a flight attendant who personally delivers it to the pet's owner in the cabin," said Kerwin-Hagen.
Travelling together Pet owners have 36 months to accumulate the three paid roundtrips or six paid one-way trips needed to earn a free roundtrip for their pet - a US$150 value. Any person or pet living at the same address can combine their trips, a great advantage for owners who may have more than one dog or cat.
Pets are accepted only on Midwest Airlines Boeing 717 and MD-80 aircraft, and Midwest Connect Beech 1900 airplanes. The Premier Pet programme applies only to owners and pets that travel together on the same flight; it does not apply to pets shipped as cargo or service animals.
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