Best Budget Airlines and Frequent-Flier Program
The Best Frequent-Flier Program, Best U.S. Budget Airline and Best International Budget Airline -- three new categories in 2011 in the About.com Readers' Choice Awards. Once five finalists were chosen in each category, readers voted for winners during the period from Feb. 11-March 8. The votes have been tallied and certified, and the links below will take you to more information about each category winner. Thanks to everyone -- from the airlines to the readers -- who participated in the 2011 Readers' Choice Awards.
Frequent-flier or "loyalty programs" started in the early 1980s as a way for airlines to reward corporate travelers and discourage any migrations to lower-priced budget airlines. Many business travelers love the convenience of special airport lounges and free travel awards, remaining loyal to the carrier offering those perks. For the most part, it has been a successful strategy for airlines, and many budget carriers also now use loyalty programs (especially those based in North America). Airlines advanced a reward concept that now can be found in many other travel-related industries and beyond.
The term "budget airline" in this category describes a carrier that has adopted a low-cost business model. More than just offering periodic (or even frequent) fare sales, a budget airline expects to attract most of its business by offering low fares rather than luxuries. For example, this could mean many services are not included in the base fare and would need to be purchased for a separate fee. Frequently it also means sharp limits on business- or first-class seating. The five finalists in this category cater primarily to the U.S. market, although some operate in destinations outside the country.
As with the U.S. Budget Airline category, these five finalists are also low-cost carriers that focus primarily on budget fares rather than occasional sales. Some tend to serve smaller or medium-sized airports rather than larger hubs, where gate-rights can prove expensive. All of them are short on amenities such as luxury-class seating, and a few don't even offer frequent-flier programs. These five finalists all operate primarily outside the United States.
Best Frequent-Flier Program
Frequent-flier or "loyalty programs" started in the early 1980s as a way for airlines to reward corporate travelers and discourage any migrations to lower-priced budget airlines. Many business travelers love the convenience of special airport lounges and free travel awards, remaining loyal to the carrier offering those perks. For the most part, it has been a successful strategy for airlines, and many budget carriers also now use loyalty programs (especially those based in North America). Airlines advanced a reward concept that now can be found in many other travel-related industries and beyond.
- In alphabetical order, more about the five Best Frequent-Flier Program Finalists
- And the 2011 Winner is...
Best U.S. Budget Airline
The term "budget airline" in this category describes a carrier that has adopted a low-cost business model. More than just offering periodic (or even frequent) fare sales, a budget airline expects to attract most of its business by offering low fares rather than luxuries. For example, this could mean many services are not included in the base fare and would need to be purchased for a separate fee. Frequently it also means sharp limits on business- or first-class seating. The five finalists in this category cater primarily to the U.S. market, although some operate in destinations outside the country.
- In alphabetical order, more about the five Best U.S. Budget Airline Finalists
- And the 2011 Winner is...
Best International Budget Airline
As with the U.S. Budget Airline category, these five finalists are also low-cost carriers that focus primarily on budget fares rather than occasional sales. Some tend to serve smaller or medium-sized airports rather than larger hubs, where gate-rights can prove expensive. All of them are short on amenities such as luxury-class seating, and a few don't even offer frequent-flier programs. These five finalists all operate primarily outside the United States.
- In alphabetical order, more about the five Best International Budget Airline Finalists
- And the 2011 Winner is...
Source...