What is a frequent flyer number in business travel?

If you’ve booked a flight recently for work, you might have been asked to enter in an identifying code and wondered: what is a frequent flyer number? These are alphanumeric codes linked to airline loyalty programs that track mileage and spend over time. And for frequent flyers, the benefits can swiftly stack up – you could be eligible for seat upgrades, priority boarding, and other personal perks. 

Frequent flyer program numbers benefit the company as well, as many airlines offer corporate or SME reward schemes. With these, points can be collected simultaneously for the company and individual business traveler, doubling the advantages and maximizing travel budgets.

But with so many airlines and corresponding loyalty plans out there, how do you get started with a comparison? In this blog post, we’ll cover how these schemes work, as well as how to get a frequent flyer number that benefits both traveler and business. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be ready to make the most of available offers to increase travel satisfaction while keeping budgets under control.

How do frequent flyer programs work?

Frequent flyer numbers are tied to airline loyalty programs, serving as identifiers to monitor traveler purchases and allocate points earned through flying. Each time business travelers fly, they’ll accumulate points to use on future flights and other rewards. Here’s how a typical program works:

• Eligibility: If you’re new to loyalty schemes and wondering how to get a frequent flyer number, the first step is finding out whether your preferred airline offers this type of scheme. 
• Enrolment: You can start the process by visiting the airline’s website and filling out the enrolment form. Enter your personal details, contact information, and travel preferences to receive your unique frequent flyer program number. number. Many airlines encourage business travelers to enrol via app, where it’s stored for a fast, secure frequent flyer number lookup each time. 
• Earning points: Each time you fly for business, you’ll earn miles or points. Depending on the airline’s policies, this may be based on the distance you fly, or the amount of money spent on flights. Points will be added to your frequent flyer account for future use.
• Redeeming points: When booking future flights, enter your frequent flyer number to use accrued points and receive rewards. Most frequent flyer programs allow you to redeem earned miles or points for future travel, including free flights or seat upgrades. Depending on the airline, you might also be able to use them for premium lounge access, hotel stays, car rentals, and other perks. 
• Status levels: Many airline loyalty programs feature rewards just for membership, which business travelers can access via their frequent flyer numbers. In addition to cashing in frequent flyer points for rewards, you may move up through different status tiers such as Silver, Gold and Platinum, based on accumulated points. 

Frequent flyer programs carry benefits for airlines as well, building brand loyalty and incentivizing traveler spend. However, it’s important to note that each airline has its own set of rules and rewards. Many are also part of larger alliances like Oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance that allow travelers to earn and redeem points from partner airlines for a wider range of benefits. 

How do business travelers accumulate frequent flyer miles?

To accumulate miles, you’ll need to first sign up for a frequent flyer program with the airline. Then, you can provide your frequent flyer number when booking or checking in for your flight. Each time you fly for business with the same airline or alliance partner, you’ll accumulate points which will be linked to your assigned number. 

Do business travelers get to keep their frequent flyer miles?

This depends on a company’s travel policy. In most cases, companies require business travelers to contribute their earned frequent flyer miles to future business trips. Others have more flexible policies and will allow travelers to keep the points earned on business travel and use them for personal rewards. Either way, business travelers might enjoy benefits like seat upgrades and lounge access.

For travel managers, it’s important to clarify your company’s stance to prevent any confusion, while encouraging business travelers to sign up with preferred airlines to maximize savings. And for business travelers, it’s important to always verify this policy so you know how to best use your earned miles. 

What are the benefits of using a frequent flyer number?

We’ve touched on some of the frequent flyer number benefits above, from free flights to seat upgrades and lounge access. Here’s a closer look at the prime advantages to enrolling in this type of program.

Benefits for business travelers

While you’ll need to check the fine print, in many cases signing up for a frequent flyer number allows you to collect and redeem points to enjoy a more comfortable business travel experience. 

• Service upgrades: Use your frequent flyer program number to upgrade your travel experience to business or first class. 
• Priority check-in and boarding: Skip lengthy queues and enjoy a smoother check-in and boarding experience. 
• Access to airport lounges: Boost productivity or simply relax in airport lounges equipped with refreshments, comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, and even shower facilities.

Benefits for companies 

For businesses, encouraging travelers to sign up for frequent flyer numbers also carries specific advantages.

• Cost savings: The primary advantage is financial, particularly if your team travels frequently for work using the same carrier. With every flight, points accumulate which can be cashed in for discounts on future business travel. 
• Improved productivity: Employees are more likely to arrive at their destination feeling refreshed, productive, and ready to work when they’re able to travel in comfort thanks to service upgrades. Airport lounges often come equipped not only with free Wi-Fi, but charging points for electronic devices and dedicated desks to maintain connectivity during layovers. 
• Improved efficiency: Every minute counts when your team has a packed itinerary. And with early check-ins and priority boarding, taking part in frequent flyer programs creates a smoother, more efficient business travel experience. For even greater efficiency, online travel booking platforms often let you enter frequent flyer numbers to maximize the benefits during the booking process. 

Examples of frequent flyer number programs

While many airlines issue frequent flyer numbers to leisure travelers, here are two examples of frequent flyer number programs designed with business travel needs in mind. 

1. On Business Loyalty Program

Designed specifically for SMEs, the On Business program runs across British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia, and Japan Airlines. 

Members are issued an On Business frequent flyer number that allows them to collect points when they purchase qualifying business flight tickets from any of these four airlines. These can then be used for reward flights or cabin upgrades. Exclusive members-only 5% discounts on flights are also available.

This scheme potentially offers dual benefits for companies as well as individual business travelers, who can collect British Airways Avios points for personal use alongside On Business points for company use. To redeem all eligible points, travelers need to enter both frequent flyer numbers (company On Business and individual British Airways Club membership numbers).

2. Qantas Frequent Flyer

Another example of a frequent flyer number scheme comes from Qantas Airlines. Like On Business, its Business Rewards plan is tailored to SMEs, who are issued a company membership number that can be used to earn Qantas Points. Businesses also save up to 10% on flights purchased from Qantas or other airlines within the Oneworld Alliance. 

At the same time, business travelers can enrol in the Frequent Flyer membership program to earn points and Status Credits in their individual Frequent Flyer accounts. That way, businesses and travelers earn points for the same trip.

How businesses can best manage multiple frequent flyer accounts

If you manage a team that travels often for business, you’ll need an organized way to keep track of frequent flyer numbers. Not only will each business traveler have their own FFN, but they’ll have separate codes for each airline – and without a dedicated tracking system, you could miss out on rewards. 

A good tracking system will store and manage:

• Business traveler details: Contact details, frequent flyer preferences and personalized offers for each account
• Mileage balances: A list of mileage or points balances, updated in real time as employees travel
• Expiration dates: Expiration policies for each rewards program so that business travelers can use points before they expire

A straightforward way to streamline this process for your company is by choosing a preferred airline or alliance that offers a Business Rewards plan. Using existing traveler preferences, create an internal policy that aligns with the most-used airlines and routes. 

Then, sign up for the airline’s Business Rewards plan to receive your company frequent flyer number. Make sure all business travel is booked using the same online platform, with company frequent flyer numbers entered for each booking. This will also help your business meet the minimum spend to progress through rewards tiers, while tracking points in a centralized account.  

Tips for maximizing frequent flyer rewards 

To maximize business travel rewards using your frequent flyer number, consider implementing these strategies into your trip planning process. 

• Fly with partner airlines: The best way to make your points go further is by traveling with your company’s preferred airline, but many are part of alliances that let you combine miles when flying with a partner. For example, you can earn Avios points whether you fly with British Airways, Aer Lingus, American Airlines, Japan Airlines or other approved partners.   
• Use airline-linked credit cards: Another way to rack up rewards is by using airline credit cards for business travel expenses that offer points with every purchase. You can link these to your frequent flyer number to unlock discounts and upgrades. 
• Redeem points for best-value routes: Some airlines reward points for miles flown, while others for money spent; but rewards flights aren’t always linked to distance. Consider the type of business travel and its available routes – rather than wasting points on a free short-haul business flight to a meeting, save them for more expansive long-haul itineraries to get the best return on investment. 
• Use points on the ground: Many hotels offer loyalty schemes of their own, allowing you to earn airline miles alongside hotel room upgrades. When comparing rewards, it might also be more advantageous to use your points for hotel stays and corporate car rental discounts. Shop around to find the best deals for your business.

Centralize flight bookings with Booking.com for Business

Using a free all-in-one solution like Booking.com for Business streamlines travel management from start to finish. With a choice of over 380 airlines, you’ll be able to find the optimal routes, at the prices you want, when booking business flights. Simply use our Travel Policy Builder to designate preferred airlines and improve compliance. 

You can save even more money on work trips by signing up for our Genius loyalty program. Gain access to exclusive discounts of up to 20% on hotels and car rentals. With both companies and travelers able to log in and manage their flights, you’ll be better placed to maximize Genius rewards, from room upgrades to free breakfasts. 

The bottom line

If you fly frequently, there’s no reason not to sign up for airline loyalty programs. Obtaining a frequent flyer number is free of charge, and it unlocks benefits with each booking, both individually and for your business. It also gives you more options when you need to rebook flights due to a sudden change of plans, and you’ll have access to lounges to improve productivity. 

To make the most of these advantages, it’s important to find out more about airline alliances and what each has to offer. And by teaming frequent flyer numbers with a convenient online booking tool, you’ll be able to optimize company-wide opportunities. Using business travel solutions like Booking.com for Business, you’ll gain full visibility and better control over all team bookings, maximizing flight savings and rewards.