Sometimes, it’s fun to explore different thing – or to book slightly odd tickets (such as the simple example of me flying out wanting to fly out of Manchester and return via London on a Oneworld Airline).
That’s all well and good…. except when you get to the booking stage – at which point the Online Travel Agent doesn’t care about your frequent flyer status much.
They just want the cash and the booking fee.
Anyway – for my upcoming trip, I went with TravelUp… because it seemed a like a good idea at the time (and at the time of writing, I’m starting to regret it – but that’s another discussion).
So I get to the passenger information page, and start to search for my frequent flyer programme… and the list is… comical.
How comical? Here’s just part of the list provided by Travelup.
Where to start with this hot mess?
- Air Mauritius – now called Kestrelflyer
- Air China – now called PhoenixMiles
- Aloha Airlines AlohaPass – Passenger services terminated March 30, 2008
- America West Flightfund – That was two mergers ago… (Now American Airlines AAdvantage)
- Austrian Airlines Qualiflyer – Failed in 2002 with SwissAir – Now under Miles & More
- BIWA Frequent Flyer – BWIA finished flying at the end of 2006, survived by Caribbean Airlines
- British Midland Diamond Club – The beloved British Midland International ceased trading on 27 October 2012 when it became part of British Airways. Diamond Club still exists mainly for MBNA card holders to transfer miles from Diamond Club to British Airways Executive Club
- Canadian Airlines Canadian Plus – Brought by Air Canada in 2000
Then there’s the case of getting airline logos correct. Here’s this wonderful example by Netflights
Spotted the errors yet? They are :
- SN Brussels Airlines (Better known as Brussels Airlines)
- Swiss International Airlines (though I do love the retro logo used)
We all know that Online Travel Agents do have a hard time keeping up with the latest trends and changes in the travel market (as well as the ever-changing fares and pricing), a little attention to detail wouldn’t hurt.
After all – branding is everything, and airlines spend a lot of money on their branding. And it would be nice if Travel Agents at least got the right logo or frequent flyer programme.
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, with in-depth coverage, unique research as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.
Follow me on Twitter at @EconomyBeyond for the latest updates! You can also follow me on Instagram too!
Also remember that as well as being part of BoardingArea, we’re also part of BoardingArea.eu, delivering frequent flyer news, miles and points to European reader
Ah this post makes me nostalgic, I miss BMI so much, despite all it’s fault, it was a great little airline with their people making the difference.
And since the monopoly of IAG on the DUB-LHR route I miss them even more.
British Midland Diamond Club – The beloved British Midland International ceased trading on 27 October 2012 when it became part of British Airways. Diamond Club still exists mainly for MBNA card holders to transfer miles from Diamond Club to British Airways Executive Club
I’ve got to admit – like a lot of people, I miss BMI for its mad mileage scheme, it’s littleness, and it’s mad route network (as well as the old long haul network out of Manchester).
A basket case of an airline…. And that’s before we get onto their home at Donnigton Hall….