NFIB

Score Big Points
05/ 02/ 2002

If you have to travel for business, you might as well reap some rewards for logging the miles. The number of frequent travel programs can be mind-boggling. But by consistently using one or two programs, you'll earn a few perks for your travel time.

Flying isn't the only way to accumulate points. Hotels and rental car companies also have programs, and most coincide with airlines' plans. The key is to join overlapping programs so that you also earn airline reward points every time you stay at a hotel or rent a car, or vice versa. Company Web sites provide details about their frequent travel programs.

Airlines

Almost every major carrier offers free membership in programs that are designed specifically for small- and mid-sized business travel. While membership doesn't guarantee major discounts on ticket prices, the points you accumulate earn perks like early boarding, drink vouchers, access to the airlines' lounges or tickets for future trips.

To get the most from the programs, choose one and stick with it. Before you pick a program, find out how points are accrued, especially if you fly regularly between certain cities. For instance, Northwest and Continental's programs offer fewer points per dollar for travel to and from their hub cities.

Online booking is available through all the airlines' programs, but only Delta's small business travel Web site, MYOBTravel.com, allows users to book airlines, hotels and cars all in one place. Plus, more than one person in your office can earn points with a Delta ticket purchased through MYOBTravel. Both a company's designated travel planner and the actual traveler receive Delta Sky Miles Points. The downside: most frequent travelers say redeeming Sky Miles points for tickets is difficult.

As the largest discount travel airline in the country, Southwest offers a straightforward frequent travel program. Travelers earn a free ticket after flying eight round trips in 12 months. Points are doubled for booking tickets online.

Hotels

Most hotel reward programs are very similar, although Hilton's program, whose partners include Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and Doubletree Hotel, boasts the greatest number of airline alliances. Several hotels offer meeting planning services for business travelers and free weekday newspapers. Since most national chains have locations in all major cities, for maximum points, choose your hotel program based on its airline alliance.

Car Rental Companies

Some car rental companies also have free programs designed for small businesses that earn points on airlines and hotel accounts. For companies with fewer than 100 employees, Hertz offers lower rates and free membership in its Gold Club. Most programs let members skip long lines by having a reserved car waiting at the airport.

Credit Cards

Credit card companies have teamed with airlines, hotels and car companies to develop their own travel reward systems. Often referred to as affinity cards, the co-branded cards offer points for purchases. Though a majority of small business owners use credit cards, the annual fees and APRs of affinity cards tend to be higher than others.

Cashing In

After you've racked up the points, redeeming them can be a tedious process. Most airlines recently ended their blackout policies, but it's still unknown how many frequent flier seats will be available on each flight. If you need help navigating the complicated systems, check out a few Web sites that offer advice and message boards about the constantly changing rules for frequent travel programs, www.webflyer.com, www.frequentflier.com.

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This article originally appeared in the April/May 2002 issue of MyBUSINESS magazine.

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