A Guide to Airline Loyalty Programs in the Philippines
What are the benefits of being a loyal customer?
(SPOT.ph) Booking flights is typically expensive, unless you buy one that's on sale, then you're expected to spend a thousand bucks on a one-way domestic or international flight to your dream destination. Thankfully, not everything comes at a loss. If you want something in return for spending thousands of your hard-earned money, it (literally) pays back to be part of your go-to airline's loyalty program or frequent flyer program.
Also read:
The SPOT.ph Guide to Airport Lounges at NAIA
These Credit Cards Will Get You Free Access to the PAGGS Premium Airport Lounge
What is an airline loyalty program?
Airline loyalty programs, also referred to as frequent flyer programs, are one of the best things to invest in if you’re a seasoned traveler, be it for reasons of work or pleasure. This loyalty system rewards its passengers for their continued support and patronage of the airline in the form of points or miles. These points or miles can be redeemed for free flights and travel upgrades.
There are often status tiers to these airline loyalty programs that depend on the passenger's frequency of travel and the number of miles flown. The higher tiers are typically called Platinum and Gold, while the standard levels are Silver, but these can be referred to by a different name depending on the airline.
In the Philippines, the three famous airline loyalty programs or frequent flyer programs are Philippine Airlines' Mabuhay Miles, Cebu Pacific's Go Rewards, and AirAsia's AirAsia Rewards.
Philippine Airlines airline loyalty program: Mabuhay Miles
Philippine Airlines' Mabuhay Miles is the airline's frequent flyer program. There are four tiers to Mabuhay Miles and these are Classic, Elite, Premier Elite, and Million Miler. These tiers have their own set of benefits and privileges including access to Mabuhay Lounge, priority check-in, and additional baggage allowance.
How to earn Miles:
There are different ways to earn Miles (points), the most common one is through booking a domestic or international flight through the airline or its codeshare partners. To get an accurate number, you can use the Mileage Calculator on the Philippine Airlines website:
More ways of earning Miles include dining, converting credit card points, shopping, and checking in select hotels among other things.
Redeeming Mabuhay Miles rewards:
Philippines Airlines is the only airline that has its own lounge at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. If you're an Elite member, you get access to this lounge, plus additional luggage allowance, and priority for checking-in, boarding, and luggage handling, and airport standby.
Premier Elite has the same set of benefits as Elite but with the added benefit of Upgrade Travel Certificates. As for the highest tier, the Million Miler membership has a long set of pre-flight benefits that waive all kinds of processing fees; during-flight perks that prioritize the member from check-in to boarding; and post-flight benefits such as bonus Miles on select flights.
How to apply for Mabuhay Miles:
If you're applying for a Classic membership, this is free and can be done via the Philippine Airlines website.
Leveling up to the Elite membership requires either of the three achievements: Earning 25,000 Tier/Flight Miles on Philippine Airlines and Code-Share flights, flying 30 one-way qualifying flights on any class of service on Philippine Airlines and Code-Share flights, or flying 15 one-way qualifying flights on Business Class on Philippine Airlines and Code-Share flights.
On the other hand, Premier Elite membership requires 45,000 Tier/Flight Miles on Philippine Airlines and Code-Share flights, flying 50 one-way qualifying flights on any class of service on Philippine Airlines and Code-Share flights, or flying 25 one-way qualifying flights on Business Class on Philippine Airlines and Code-Share flights.
As for Million Miler, these are for members who have flown one million (or more) cumulative Flight Miles with Philippine Airlines.
Cebu Pacific airline loyalty program: Go Rewards
Cebu Pacific's loyalty rewards program is called Go Rewards (previously called Get Go). This lets its passengers earn Go Rewards points every time they fly with Cebu Pacific or its partner airlines, and reversibly, they can also purchase Cebu Pacific flights using the points earned.
How to earn Go Rewards points:
If you're a frequent flyer of Cebu Pacific, you can earn Go Rewards points from the base fare and add-ons. This is the Go Rewards point conversion:
- Classic, non-Go Rewards Cardholders: P80 = 1 Go Rewards Point
- Classic and Go Rewards Prepaid or Debit Cardholders: P40 = 1 Go Rewards Point
- Black or Cebu Pacific Platinum or Gold Credit Cardholders: P20 = 1 Go Rewards Point
Go Rewards members should input their membership number upon booking the flight. According to the Cebu Pacific website, the points will reflect on the account within seven days of boarding the plane for departure.
Go Rewards is more than just Cebu Pacific's rewards program, it is a "lifestyle rewards program." This means that, aside from earning points by booking a flight, active members can also earn points upon every purchase at any Robinsons Stores and merchant partners (i.e. Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Appliances, and more), or by purchasing products using a Go Rewards card.
It is important to note that Go Rewards points are not convertible to cash.
Redeeming Go Rewards points:
One of the main benefits of earning Go Rewards points is that you can use the points to purchase a Cebu Pacific flight. This requires a minimum of 50 Go Rewards points, a verified account, and that your registered e-mail on your MyCebuPacific Account and Go Rewards account are the same.
How to apply for Go Rewards:
There are three ways in which you can set up your Go Rewards account. First, they can download the Go Rewards mobile application (available for Android and iOS users) and sign up for an account, or you can purchase a Go Rewards card at any of their partner retail stores to become a Go Rewards member. Another way is to participate in current promotional offers.
AirAsia airline loyalty program: AirAsia Rewards
Just in case you didn't know, AirAsia recently changed its name to AirAsia MOVE, both on the website and app. Nothing has changed about its services except for the new name and logo. Checking in, managing flight bookings, and purchasing flight add-ons are still doable—the logo just has a fresher look!
AirAsia's frequent flyer membership tiers are divided into four, the Red being the lowest tier. This is followed by the Gold, Platinum, and Black.
How to earn AirAsia Rewards points:
AirAsia Rewards points can be earned through booking a flight through AirAsia, and the points are calculated based on the base flight and any add-on services. The conversion rate depends on the membership status, refer to the chart below:
Other ways you can earn points is through special promotions offered by the airline's partners. You can also earn points by using participating credit cards.
Redeeming AirAsia Rewards points:
You can use your AirAsia Rewards points when you book your next flight with AirAsia. If you're in the Platinum or Black tiers, a few of the flight perks you can get are the priority to check-in, board, and collect baggage. You can also redeem the AirAsia Rewards points when you book hotels, tours, car rentals, Wi-Fi, and travel sims through partner brands.
How to apply for AirAsia Rewards:
Signing up for an AirAsia membership is free. All you have to do is go to the AirAsia rewards page and sign up. This will require you to fill in personal details such as e-mail address, mobile number, and more. After submitting the needed details, you will need to verify your account to activate it.
Also read:
These Credit Cards Have Access to Over 1,000 Airport Lounges Worldwide
Get Access to More Than 1,400 Airport Lounges Worldwide With This Membership Program
Hey, Spotters! Check us out on Viber to join our Community and subscribe to our Chatbot.