FLY 202
MASTERING THE FREQUENT-FLIER GAME AND FLYING IN LUXURY
Objectives
This session is intended for corporate managers, high-profile fliers and frequent travelers who aim to achieve and maintain elite airline status, and for whom comfort, convenience and luxury are important during a trip.
Given the current state of the airline industry — numerous fees, packed planes and declining service — the only decent way to travel is to have top elite status. We’ll teach you affordable ways to reach such status, which has only been possible in the last few years, thanks to the democratization of travel and the easy access to very low fares. We’ll cover both published and unpublished elite benefits and ensure that you know how to make use of each one of them.
We’ll also give you specific strategies and tactics on making your trip as hassle-free, seamless and pleasant as possible — starting before you leave for the airport and ending with your return home. You will learn how to handle delays, cancellations and other flight disruptions like a pro. While other passengers still wait behind 100 people in the customer-service line to get re-booked, you can be boarding your new flight.
In perhaps the most fun part of our seminar, we’ll share ideas about how to put luxury back in travel. Once you’ve mastered the art of avoiding the coach cabin while paying low economy fares, we’ll talk black caviar, pajamas and linens. We’ll also tell you which airlines have the best seats and meals in first and business class.
This session includes real-time online booking exercises, and we strongly recommend that all participants bring a laptop to the seminar. Wireless Internet service will be provided at no additional cost.
REGISTRATION FEE FOR FLY 202: $299
REGISTRATION FEE FOR FLY 201 & FLY 202: $549
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Syllabus
I. Top elite status.
1. Qualification essentials:
a. Elite tiers — analytical comparison;
b. Mileage credit differences according to booking class;
c. Non-flight elite-qualifying earning options;
d. Creative routing to maximize mileage;
e. Mileage credit for direct flights;
f. Turning a low-fare into a full-fare booking class;
g. Using discount vouchers;
h. Business fares lower than coach;
i. Being loyal to an airline vs. shopping around.
Recommended reading:
Being airline elite can be simple / Hidden perils of airline code-sharing / Openness rattles airline industry / Airlines abuse ‘direct’ flights / Fare sales often lost in translation / Cheap airfares endure / Keeping track of your trips
2. Elite benefits and making the most of them:
a. Cutting lines — on the phone, at the airport, on waiting lists;
b. Dealing with the best airline agents;
c. Airport lounge access;
d. Waived fees — ticketing, awards, standby, luggage, seat assignments;
e. Additional award inventory;
f. Upgrades — strategies and sponsoring others;
g. Bonus miles;
h. Dedicated customer-relations line;
i. Agents’ willingness to bend rules.
Recommended reading:
Educating the flying public / ‘Tweaking’ airlines’ yield management / United executive breaks old barriers / Customers gain sway over airlines
II. Hassle-free and luxurious travel.
1. Anticipating and handling disruptions:
a. Tracking your assigned aircraft;
b. Travel warnings and weather advisories;
c. Familiarizing yourself with flight alternatives;
d. Protecting yourself in your flight is running late;
e. Rebooking — minimizing your reliance on agents and computers;
f. Avoiding customer-service lines;
g. Preserving upgrades on new flights;
h. On-board suggestions — ensuring comfort and good service.
Recommended reading:
Flight schedule changes overwhelm agents, travelers / U.S. airlines handle disruptions best / Back to basics of air travel / Airlines work to catch up to the digital age
2. Customer-relations issues:
a. Problems during a flight;
b. Compensation for delays and cancellations;
c. Choosing a token of appreciation — discount vouchers or bonus miles;
d. Processing refunds;
e. E-mail vs. phone complaints;
f. Positive and negative feedback.
Recommended reading:
Lufthansa agent’s ‘mistake’ stacks up / Delayed at the airport? Enjoy! / Cancel trip, but don’t lose ticket / Rebook flights at no cost / Get refund if airfare drops / Travel blogs keep watch on industry
3. Comfort and pampering:
a. Premium seats — comparative analysis;
b. Sleeping on board — beds, amenities, pajamas and linens;
c. Gourmet meals, wines and spirits;
d. On-demand entertainment;
e. Privacy and quietness;
f. Unique ground services — lounges, spas, escort, transportation;
g. Planning your time on board.
Recommended reading:
What to do with empty premium seats? / Airlines want budget, premium fliers / Airlines cut back on first-class service / Who gets first meal choice on board?
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Also see the syllabus for FLY 101: Saving on airfare and redeeming frequent-flier miles.
