What’s a frequent flyer program? A business travel guide

If you reach the ticket counter and hear those magic words, “You’ve been upgraded,” you know you’re in for a great flight. But for business travelers, scoring roomy upgrades, priority boarding, and lounge access isn’t about luck—it’s part of a strategically chosen frequent flyer program. 

What’s a frequent flyer program? It’s more than just redeemable miles. It’s a loyalty system that makes business travel smoother, more comfortable, and often more cost-effective. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the top frequent flyer programs, weigh out the pros and cons, and offer practical tips to choose the best one based on your travel habits. Whether you rack up miles every week or want to maximize value on occasional business trips, knowing how to work the system can make travel more rewarding.

What’s a frequent flyer program?

A frequent flyer program is a loyalty program airlines offer to reward travelers for flying with them or their network of partners. Members earn miles or points for each flight, either based on the price of the ticket or distance flown, which can be redeemed for free flights and upgrades in the future. Members also receive perks like priority boarding, access to airport lounges, and extra baggage. 

For businesses, frequent flyer programs are an opportunity to optimize travel expenses by turning everyday trips into valuable rewards. Additionally, pairing a frequent flyer program with a co-branded credit card can increase rewards potential, providing even more perks for employees who travel frequently. 

How do frequent flyer programs work?

Frequent flyer programs reward travelers with miles or points for each flight they take. These credits accumulate over time and can be redeemed for free flights, flexible tickets, and priority seating. 

Here’s an overview of some of the best airline frequent flyer programs. 

SkyTeam

SkyTeam is an airline alliance that includes Delta Airlines, KLM, and Air France. Frequent flyers earn miles with a purchase on any SkyTeam partner airline, and these miles can be redeemed across the entire alliance network. 

Standout frequent flyer benefits include priority check-in, fast-track lanes at immigration and security, and lounge access at 750 airports worldwide. 

American Airlines’ AAdvantage program

American Airlines’ AAdvantage program is the largest frequent flyer program in the world. Members can earn miles and points when they fly with American Airlines, use an AAdvantage credit card, or fly with partner airlines in the OneWorld network, including Alaska Airlines, British Airways, and Iberia. Booking hotels and other travel accommodations within AAdvantage’s extensive network earns additional frequent flyer miles and rewards. 

Member benefits like switching to an earlier flight, placing 24-hour holds on a seat before booking flights, and canceling non-refundable Basic Economy tickets make the AAdvantage program a convenient choice for frequent business travelers.

United Airlines’ MileagePlus program

United Airlines’ MileagePlus program rewards travelers with airline miles for flights booked with United and its partner airlines in the Star Alliance program, including Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines. MileagePlus members earn miles using co-branded credit cards from Chase. Frequent flyers who travel at least four United flights a year can upgrade to the Premier loyalty program, which earns complimentary Economy+, priority check-in and baggage, and airport lounge access. 

Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards program

The Rapid Rewards program lets frequent flyers earn points on Southwest Airline purchases. Points are earned based on the fare price rather than mileage flown, as well as hotel reservations and car rentals through Southwest’s extensive network of partners. 

Rapid Rewards members earn basic perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and the flexibility to change or cancel flights. Elite members get extra bonuses like a dedicated customer service line, bonus mile accumulations, and same-day itinerary changes. 

With Engine Rewards, you can redeem points from any frequent fly program for hotel bookings, flights, and car rentals, all on a single business travel platform. Not sure how to become a frequent flyer? Let Engine’s travel experts help choose the right program for you. 

Pros and cons of frequent flyer programs

While earning miles and enjoying travel upgrades makes business trips more comfortable, restrictions and fees can be complicated to navigate. Here are some pros and cons of these programs you can decide whether participating is worth it. 

Pros of frequent flyer programs

Turning regular travel into valuable rewards is reason enough to join a frequent flyer program. Here’s a few more travel hacks to keep in mind. 

Redeem rewards for flights

The more you travel, the more rewards you accumulate. Even for team members who travel infrequently, small travel savings can make a big impact on budgets. Many programs also allow members to redeem their miles for hotels, car rentals, and other travel-related perks, maximizing the value of every trip. 

Cabin upgrades

Elite status members often enjoy complimentary upgrades to premium economy, business class, or first class. Members without elite status can still use miles or rewards points to priority seating, making long-haul travel more comfortable. 

Lounge access

Frequent flyer programs offer lounge access to certain members or those flying in premium cabins. For business travelers, a quiet space with complimentary Wi-Fi, food, and even showers, can make layovers both relaxed and more productive. 

Priority boarding

Forget about lines—frequent flyers often board earlier than general passengers, even when flying in economy. That means you don’t have to worry about finding space in the overhead bin or standing in long lines. 

Cons of frequent flyer programs

Every loyalty program has fine print, including hidden fees and rules for booking upgrades. Here are a few potential downsides to consider. 

Blackout dates

Just when you’re ready to cash in your hard-earned miles for a last-minute business trip, you may hit a wall of blackout dates. Many airlines limit reward redemptions during peak travel times, making it tough to take advantage of your rewards when demand is high. If your schedule isn’t flexible, those miles might not take you as far as you hoped. 

Mileage expiration

Some loyalty programs have a “use it or lose it” policy, meaning miles vanish if you don’t redeem them within a certain timeframe. This can be especially frustrating for infrequent travelers who spend years accumulating miles only to watch them disappear before they can book a trip. 

Restricted earning and redemption

Limited availability on certain routes or partner airlines can make it frustrating to use your rewards, especially if your preferred flights sell out quickly. Some rewards programs might require you to use car rentals or hotel chains you don’t typically choose in order to access your points. 

Hidden fees

It’s unlikely you earn a totally free flight. Taxes, fuel surcharges, and booking fees don’t figure into mileage points, which can turn a free flight into an unexpected business expense. Some programs also charge fees to change or cancel tickets, which limits flexibility. 

4 tips for choosing the right frequent flyer program 

Here are four tips to accumulate the best rewards with your airline miles: 

1. Match the program to your travel habits: A frequent flyer program that rewards long-haul international flights may not be the best fit if most of your trips are short domestic hops. Choose an airline with strong coverage in your region and routes that align with your travel patterns. Frequent travelers should pay attention to blackout dates to ensure they can access rewards points regardless of the season. 
2. Compare earning and redemption rates: Every frequent flyer program awards miles differently. Some base earnings on distance flown, which benefits long-haul travelers, while others tie mileage earnings to the ticket price, which is better for high rollers. Check how far your miles take you—one airline might charge 25,000 airline miles while another charges 40,000 airline miles for the same flight route. 
3. Review fees: That “free flight” might come with a side of surprise charges. Some programs tack on fuel surcharges, booking fees, and penalties for last-minute changes. Before you commit, look for extra cost-saving perks like flexible bookings, priority reservations, and free changes. 
4. Prioritize perks: The best frequent flyer programs come with more than extra checked bags. Consider loyalty programs that reward you off the clock, like discounted spa services, baggage priorities, and sporting events. Having personal perks attached to your business travel plan can promote a healthy work-life balance, keeping your employees happy.

Get the most out of your business trip with Engine

Regular travel is an attractive job perk for many, but it can also be incredibly exhausting. A frequent flyer program that racks up big rewards can make long trips away from home more comfortable and rewarding for your team. 

With Engine’s Loyalty Pass and Engine Rewards, business travelers have plenty of opportunities to earn, save money, and relax before that big presentation.