Are you new to the world of air travel? Wondering if you should join a frequent flyer program? Check out the five incredible benefits you get by being part of an airline reward program.

Are you an avid traveller? Do you dream of going on vacation to exotic destinations relaxing, adventuring and having fun with your friends, family or even just by yourself?

If you’re someone who searches multiple travel apps to score a low-priced flight ticket, then you need to enrol in a frequent flyer program. Frequent flyer programs are one of the best-kept, open secrets of the aviation industry. Once you get the hang of it and learn how to work the system, there’s no going back.

If you still think frequent flyer programs are only for business jet setters who fly frequently and not for aspiring travellers like you, who fly in coach, then this article will help you get on board. Here, we list out the top 5 benefits that you can enjoy when you join an airline loyalty program.

#1: Free Trips

This is the most obvious benefit of airline reward programs. These programs are designed to work in such a way to build customer loyalty. When you take flights or use airline co-branded credit cards, you are awarded reward points.

In the aviation industry, these reward points are known as air miles. Once you have a sufficient number of air miles, you can redeem it for free award tickets for your preferred travel destination.

To give an example, the Jet Privilege Select HDFC Bank credit card allows you to earn Intermiles every time you swipe, tap or pay using the card. You can then use your accumulated JP Miles to redeem free flight tickets on any airline while booking flight tickets using EaseMyTrip. Here, your miles act like cash, helping you score great deals on flight tickets.

Handy Tip: Miles redemption rates for free flight tickets vary from one airline reward program to another. Make sure to check this detail while choosing an airline reward program.

#2: Complementary and Paid Upgrades

Members of airline reward programs have access to two types of upgrades:

• Complimentary upgrades – Here, the airline rewards you for being a member and for flying often with them by offering you free upgrades like a business class seat when you purchase an economy ticket.
• Paid Upgrades – Alternatively, if you’re not able to score a complimentary upgrade, you can pay for an upgrade. Here, you can purchase an economy ticket using cash, and pay in miles to move from coach to a comfortable, lie-flat business seat. The intermiles you spend for upgrading to a business class seat from an economy seat is lesser than the miles you would have to pay for purchasing a business class ticket.

#3: Lounge Access

One of the biggest pain points of air travel is to wait with thousands of other passengers at crowded gates. By joining an airline reward program, you can access lounges offered by airlines to their elite passengers. Airline lounges offer free food and drinks, comfortable seats to relax, and adequate power ports to charge your devices before you board the flight.

#4: Free Checked Bags

Long gone are the days when airlines used to provide passengers with a variety of perks like free food on-board, free checked-bags and more. Today, with the rise in LCCs (Low-cost carriers), airlines have begun to charge extra for these additional perks.

When you move up tiers in your preferred airline frequent flyer program, the airline offers you several amenities like free checked bags or even extra baggage allowance.

#5: Cancellation Fee Waiver

This is one of the not-so-well-known perks. Airlines levy a hefty penalty if you cancel or modify your travel dates. You can avoid having to shell out this penalty by being a member of the airline’s reward program.

Airline reward programs offer several other benefits like dedicated counters at check-in, priority baggage tagging on arrival, spending miles elsewhere – hotels, restaurants, e-commerce portals and more. That’s not it. Once you gain elite status, you can expect a whole array of other benefits like escort service at the airport, seat preferences, first choice of meals, and more.

So, what are you waiting for? Join your preferred frequent flyer program and unlock a world of travel opportunities