The Freddie Team Swings into Action (Apr. 6, 2005)
Spring has sprung, and so have the annual pre-Freddie meetings at the House of Miles. Today marked the first "official" meeting for all of the staff members who will be working to put on the 17th annual ceremony, though there have certainly been some well-attended pow-wows prior to this. The group spent a solid two hours discussing topics from airport pick-up to zoom lenses, and everything in between. Thanks to project leader, Karen Heldt, every contingency has been covered. Now all she has to worry about is making sure everyone on the team actually completes the items on their To-Do lists.
Another Day, Another Meeting (April 22, 2005)
The Freddie team sat down today to go over the to-do checklist and cover any almost-last-minute questions. Seems Randy only has four items left on his list with five days to go - definitely a new record for him. At this point he's even predicting he will get to enjoy the pre-Freddie cocktail hour for the first time ever.
The early odds in the in-house office pool are running 5 to 1 against.
Some other sound bytes from the meeting:
- Word has it Hyatt is pulling out all the stops as host and the ceremony promises to be "spectacular."
- The ceremony will be attended by a record number of industry representatives
- It is as yet unclear where the Freddie team will enjoy a Freddie-eve feast
The Freddies Have Arrived
We're in the Big Apple and our name is in lights ... Who could ask for anything more?
The Grand Hyatt New York knows how to put on a party, and they have pulled all the stops for this one. Over 250 guests are expected tonight and they will be treated to a gourmet feast, not to mention one heck of a show.
Cocktails Are Served
The guests have arrived and the drinks are flowing. We are just over an hour away now from the beginning of the ceremony and members of the industry as well as a large contingent of FlyerTalkers are mingling and sharing travel stories - both of the pleasurable and horror variety.
Never Accept an Award on an Empty Stomach
The dinner hour has begun and behind the scenes there is some concern that, once the guests get a taste of the unbelievable menu options the ceremony will pale by comparison ... either that or everyone will eat so much they will fall asleep half way through.
Five Minutes To Go
Randy has just announced that the festivities will begin in just a few minutes. The Freddie team is running through their last-minute checks and at last count there were a total of 40 crossed toes and fingers.
...and so it begins.
Randy takes the stage...only to defer to those who wish to revisit the dessert bar.
This "is the time of year (Randy) looks forward to the most." This year, 318,000 frequent travelers voted in the Freddie Awards.
...and now a word from our sponsors....
NEXTEL, points.com, Executive Skyguide, smartertravel.com, and Awards for Mortgage and Real Estate are our sponsors this year. We cannot begin to thank them enough for their help.
All of our sponsors are presented with a Tiffany crystal award, complete with the traditional blue box.
Industry Impact Award: Jet Airways
India's Jet Airways is recognized for introducing the concept of a rolling elite qualification period. No longer are Jet Privileges members restricted by the calendar year...now, as long as the qualifying amount of activity takes place in ANY 12-month period, members can qualify.
Industry Impact Award: Northwest Airlines
Randy announces a rare second Industry Impact Award, calling Northwest WorldPerks' Russ Hinckley to the stage to accept their special Freddie.
Northwest wins special recognition for its ongoing, partner-oriented marketing efforts. Bucking a trend, the WorldPerks team has presented special branded efforts, including MileZilla and Amazing Race.
Distinguished Achievement: Mitch-Stuart
Michelle Cohen and Stuart Paskow pioneered the "frequent funder" concept, which has resulted in the donation of more than $350 million and over 500 million miles to organizations such as the United Way.
Michelle, while wishing she could thank the Academy (she's from LA), nonetheless shares her honor with the supporters and staff of all the non-profit organizations she has worked with. In particular, she acknowledeges the help of American Airlines, who have been instrumental in the genesis and life of this program.
A Very Special Award of Appreciation
The Freddies have become a bigger event than anyone at the House of Miles ever expected, least of all Randy. And according to the guru himself, the real reason the event has come off so well for all these years is thanks to a very special person who works behind the scenes, but without whom there would be no scenes - Karen Heldt.
Karen becomes "Ms. Freddie Awards" and the first employee of InsideFlyer to win a Freddie.
Best Award, Frequent Guest Program, Asia/Pacific: Starwood Preferred Guest
Starwood Preferred Guest’s Cash and Points option wins first prize for Best Award in the Asia/Pacific region. Starwood dominates the category, winning first through fourth place.rra
Jim Berra accepted the award.
Best Award, Frequent Flyer Program, Asia/Pacific: Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles looms large, taking top honors with two things members love: Discounts, and discounts over an extended period of time. Its 30-percent discount over three months racks up a 7.82 value vote.
Singapore KrisFlyer nets a close second with an online-booking discount, and Air New Zealand makes a well-deserved appearance at third with a full 30-percent discount on awards to the U.S.
Best Award, Frequent Guest Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: Starwood Preferred Guest
Once again, Starwood Preferred Guest takes first through fourth place, and once again, nearly all entries are permanent features of the program. Interestingly, while the Cash and Points program was what won Asian hearts, it was the 5,000-point bonus on 20,000-point transfers that scored with members of the Europe/Middle East/Africa region.
Marriott Rewards and Hilton HHonors round out the list, and again, member favorites are regular features, not flash-in-the-pan promotions.
Best Award, Frequent Flyer Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal Navigator edges out fellow Qualiflyer descendant Swiss TravelClub for the top spot. Interestingly, Navigator’s entry - a 10,000-mile companion ticket along with the option to buy the necessary miles at half price – is not quite the bargain it was last year, when the companion ticket could be had for just one mile. Still, the overall value vote actually increased from 8.30 to 8.74 – a reminder, perhaps, that members look at each year’s offerings individually, and that winning is open to everyone.
Fern Ottano of TAP accepted the award on behalf of the program.
Newcomer Gulf Air Frequent flyer breaks in at third, a testament to the growing influence of Middle East programs.
Best Award, Frequent Guest Program, Americas: Starwood Preferred Guest
They’re not just first place this time. No, in fact, Starwood Preferred Guest comes in first, second, third and fourth this year, reclaiming a category that was stolen last year by IHG Priority Club Rewards. It’s worth noting that three of those entries are permanent features of the program, not limited-time perks.
The usual suspects – Marriott, Priority Club and Hilton – round out the list in a category where the value vote range was fairly tight.
Best Award, Frequent Flyer Program, Americas: America West FlightFund
For the first time ever, America West FlightFund takes first place in this category, cashing in on a partnership with Club Rewards from Diners Club. Curiously, last year’s Best Award winner, Southwest Rapid Rewards, did the same thing. Perhaps it goes to show just how valuable partnerships are, particularly when they’re with someone as near and dear to travelers’ hearts as Diners Club. So for their part, Randy went ahead and gave Diners Club a Freddie too.
To be fair, it should be pointed out that FlightFund just barely squeaked by. Frontier EarlyReturns made a huge impact this year (as they have for many years) with their standard, year-round 15,000-mile saver award.
Third place goes to Alaska Mileage Plan, who, like Frontier, scored high marks for a regular part of the program – in this case, the seasonal Award Sale.
Best Bonus, Frequent Guest Program, Asia/Pacific: Hyatt Gold Passport
Welcome back, Hyatt Gold Passport!
Hyatt already has two international Best Bonus trophies, but not since 1998. It would appear that Faster Free Nights, an annual favorite among voters, became the favorite in the Asia Pacific region this year.
IHG Priority Club Rewards makes a strong showing though, placing second, third, fifth, eighth and ninth.
Best Bonus, Frequent Flyer Program, Asia/Pacific: THAI Royal Orchid Plus
Thai Royal Orchid Plus tops all comers with a tiered bonus based on sectors flown – a true windfall for short-hop Asian business travelers. For a three-month period, members earned a threshold bonus for every five sectors flown. Five sectors earned 1,500 miles; 10 sectors, 3,000; 15 sectors, 4,500; and 20 sectors, 6,000, for a total of 15,000 miles.
Singapore KrisFlyer is not far behind, with what amounts to a 50-percent mileage bonus for credit card spending year-round.
Cathay Pacific rounds out the top three with an online booking bonus, which, like its winning entry for Best Award, made migration to the Web a rewarding experience for members.
Best Bonus, Frequent Guest Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: IHG Priority Club Rewards
IHG Priority Club Rewards does it again, this time in the international sphere, for the second year in a row. Interestingly, though, it wasn’t “Double Points or Double Miles” that did it, but rather a full 3,000 points for every third night.
Marriott’s rich offer of triple points nets a second-place finish, a jump from last year’s third place, and we see Priority Club placing again to round out the top three.
Best Bonus, Frequent Flyer Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: Aeroflot Bonus
"Shto eta (What is this)?" It appears that Russia’s Aeroflot Bonus rises from relative obscurity to claim first prize in the region. This is the first Freddie Award for the program, though it’s creative approach to rewarding its members is not anything new.
Every participant in a contest to come up with the best Aeroflot slogan (roughly 10,000 members) received a 10,000-point bonus.
Curiously, Aeroflot wins with a slogan contest, not the usual double or triple-mile travel promotion, indicating that uniqueness trumped richness for voters this year.
Swiss TravelClub takes both second and third place with strong entries for travel and referral bonuses.
Best Bonus, Frequent Guest Program, Americas: IHG Priority Club Rewards
For the second straight year, IHG Priority Club Awards takes top Bonus honors, winning on the strength of its “Double Points or Double Miles” promotion. Members seem to like the perennial bonus, awarding it almost the same high value vote as last year.
Choice Hotels Privileges jumps from third place to a very strong second, and, like Priority Club, used a familiar promotion to succeed – this time with a free night after every two stays.
To no one’s surprise, perhaps, Starwood Preferred Guest makes an appearance here as well, racking up third and fourth place.
Best Bonus, Frequent Flyer Program, Americas: Southwest Rapid Rewards
The Freddie Award for Best Bonus is starting to become a one-program show. For the seventh straight year, Southwest Rapid Rewards comes out like a rose, wowing voters with a generous online-booking bonus. Members earned one bonus credit for online booking, making a free flight available after just over five roundtrips. Of course, this year it’s not the same double credit that won so many times in the past, but it didn’t seem to matter.
As if to further emphasize its dominance, Southwest took second place as well, again with an online bonus leveraging its partnership with Visa.
America West rounds out the top three, with a bonus that shamelessly promoted its new First-Class fares by tempting members with membership in FlightFund’s award-winning elite program.
Best Member Communications, Frequent Guest Program, Asia/Pacific: IHG Priority Club Rewards
Given its former domination of international communications (in its various incarnations, IHG has won international Freddie Awards in this category six times), it’s no surprise to see IHG Priority Club Rewards back on top this year. Starwood remains a close second for the third year in a row, and Hyatt Gold Passport moves up to third, cementing the top three spots for U.S.-based programs.
Best Member Communications, Frequent Flyer Program, Asia/Pacific: Emirates Skywards
For the first time in its short but illustrious history, Emirates Skywards walks away with first place in this important category. That’s not to say the program hasn’t communicated well with its members in the past; indeed, there are few more loyal flyers than Skywards members. It does, however, show the power of a multi-pronged approach to communications.
Lest anyone think the “majors” are out of the running, in comes Northwest WorldPerks, earning kudos for communications in a region where communication is king.
And in something of a Cinderella story, in comes Malaysia Airlines’ Enrich program, missing the mark for first place by a mere 4.5 tenths of a point.
Best Member Communications, Frequent Guest Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: Starwood Preferred Gu
If anyone had to bump their way into first, wouldn’t it be Starwood Preferred Guest?
That seems to be the case, as Starwood, which missed out last year to Priority Club, gets the most (and best) votes for Member Communications in the Europe/Middle East/Africa region this year.
In a surprising and welcome jump from sixth place last year, Radisson SAS Gold Points finishes a strong second.
Best Member Communications, Frequent Flyer Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: TAP Air Portugal Navi
Just who are these plucky marketers from old Lusitania? Making the leap from sixth place to first, TAP Air Portugal Navigator leads the pack for Member Communications. With a category-leading 9.16 value vote, the program that now goes by the name of “Victoria” takes the top spot in a category in which its two Loyalty Gate partners, Swiss TravelClub and SN Brussels Airlines Privilege, finish in the top five.
There should be little wonder that Aeroflot Bonus, a program that consistently recognizes its members as individuals, finishes a close second.
"This is really a thrill to be here to accept an award like this," Fern Ottano said. "I'm sorry that all my colleagues couldn't be here with me, but this award is really thanks to all of them, and we thank you all."
Best Member Communications, Frequent Guest Program, Americas: IHG Priority Club Rewards
This is the third year in a row that IHG Priority Club Rewards has claimed the prize for Best Member Communications. Those of us in the industry know they love to talk, but this award proves that they effectively focus their verbosity on their members. A significant jump in value vote - from 8.75 last year to 9.19 this year - seems to indicate that Priority Club has not simply rested on its laurels.
Starwood and Marriott round out the top three.
Best Member Communications, Frequent Flyer Program, Americas: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Randy talks about the ongoing battle between Alaska Mileage Plan and Southwest Rapid Rewards, and for the third time, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan takes top honors in its efforts to communicate with members. Since the Internet came into its own, Alaska has shared the top spot with only Aeromexico Club Premier, which took a precipitous dive this year -- the first year that overall communications, not just printed newsletters, have been considered. Web enthusiasts should be encouraged by this year’s result, though, since Alaska stopped printing a physical newsletter.
Southwest Rapid Rewards takes a familiar second place again this year, and America West FlightFund makes a notable jump from fifth to third.
Best Web Site, Frequent Guest Program, Asia/Pacific: IHG Priority Club Rewards
IHG Priority Club Rewards claims yet another top spot in the Asia Pacific region. Starwood Preferred Guest is, of course, close behind. The surprise finisher this year? Shangri-La Golden Circle, which may have been unduly neglected before the Asia Pacific region was allowed to be recognized on its own.
Best Web Site, Frequent Flyer Program, Asia/Pacific: Emirates Skywards
They’ve done it before, and now they’ve done it again - Emirates Skywards takes home the Freddie for Best Web Site.
Brian LaBelle accepts
"It's a great pleasure and a compliment to the Skywards team," said Brian LaBelle from Emirates. "As you all know, it's a team award.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles stakes a solid claim for second, though, indicating that its recent success in the Asia Pacific region is no fluke.
And Northwest World Perks - perhaps the most dominant U.S.-based program in the Pacific region - takes a respectable third, after a strange fourteenth-place finish internationally last year.
Jet Airways Jet Privileges finishes fourth with the largest percentage of the vote (34.38). Keep your eye on India.
Best Web Site, Frequent Guest Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: Starwood Preferred Guest
Starwood Preferred Guest steals the glory in Europe/Middle East/Africa from Priority Club, last year's international winner.
In a pleasant surprise this year, Radisson SAS Gold Points makes a big jump from No. 8 to No. 3, while Hyatt Gold Passport, a solid third-place finisher internationally last year, drops to No. 6.
Best Web Site, Frequent Flyer Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: TAP Air Portugal Navigator
Once again, TAP Air Portugal plays the spoiler, rising from a modest seventh place to take home the Freddie for Web excellence. This is a first for the erstwhile Navigator program, which seems to be making an indelible mark on the frequent flyer world.
In an amazingly close second is Aeroflot Bonus - a testament to both the innovation that is the hallmark to that program, and to the increasingly wired world of Eastern Europe.
Swiss TravelClub, last year’s winner, places third - just above fellow Loyalty Gate program SN Brussels.
And who’s that just behind? Gulf Air Frequent flyer makes yet another statement about the popularity of Middle Eastern programs.
Best Web Site, Frequent Guest Program, Americas: IHG Priority Club Rewards
If there’s any doubt that IHG Priority Club Rewards wants to give Freddie favorite Starwood Preferred Guest a run for its money, let this be proof. Priority Club jumps from sixth place to grab top honors away from Starwood this year. And that’s no mean feat - Starwood has won this category four times. But Priority Club managed to do it, by nearly two tenths of a point.
A big surprise this year is that Wyndham ByRequest, last year’s second-place finisher, dropped to seventh place. Of course, since Wyndham is not a points-based program, and since almost everyone else has been racing to outdo third-party discount brokers online, this might not be that big a surprise.
Best Web Site, Frequent Flyer Program, Americas: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
History repeats itself in this category, as Alaska Mileage Plan takes the Freddie for the third time - a streak interrupted last year by Southwest Rapid Rewards. Not surprisingly, though, Southwest is not far behind. In a solid third, up from sixth last year, is America West FlightFund.
The message seems to be that simplicity and functionality, not gee-whiz online novelties, rule the day for frequent flyers.
Best Affinity Credit Card, Asia/Pacific: American Express Membership Rewards
Apparently, card holders in Asia are big fans of the good ol’ centurion. For the second straight year and fifth time overall in the international arena, American Express Membership Rewards claims the Freddie for Best Affinity Credit Card. By leveraging an enormous list of partners, AmEx has triumphed again.
Second place is a real success story: From last year’s eleventh-place finish, the Delta SkyMiles Visa has made a claim for dominance, and at a mere four hundredths of a point behind AmEx, few can argue.
Best Affinity Credit Card, Europe/Middle East/Africa: SN Brussels Airlines Privilege American Expres
Making an enormous leap from obscurity to first, the SN Brussels Airlines American Express claims the lead in this vital region of the world.
There’s little question that the SN Brussels Airlines Privilege program has earned respect from its members. What’s fascinating is that it took a tie-up with American Express to take this award; after all, last year’s SN Brussels Airlines Diners Club made a strong show for fifth.
Curiously, the KLM Flying Dutchman American Express card, which earned just one slot above the KLM Eurocard/MasterCard last year, did it again this time. The difference is that instead of sharing sixth and seventh place, they fill the second and third slots this time around.
Best Affinity Credit Card, Americas: Diners Club Club Rewards
For nearly a decade, Club Rewards from Diners Club has owned this category. This year is no exception. For the eighth straight year, Diners claims first place in the hearts of frequent travelers - the first time any program has won a category eight years in a row.
"Thank you very much Randy," said Peter Knitzer. "First of all we have to thank our cardmembers because without them we wouldn't have this award. And lastly I'd like to thank everyone who has worked on this program."
Of course, with its recent alliance effort with MasterCard, the question looms: Can Club Rewards continue its dominance in the face of what is sure to be a larger membership?
Lurking just behind is the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express card, which has become a staple in the frequent traveler’s wallet. In fact, the value vote difference between the Starwood AmEx and Diners is a mere three-hundredths of a point this year.
Last year’s second-place finisher, the Alaska Mileage Plus Visa, drops to third this year, but only by fractions of a point. In fact, the difference between the top three finishers is a mere eleven hundredths of a point. With American Express Membership Rewards close behind, this could be anyone’s award next year.
Best Award Redemption, Frequent Guest Program, Asia/Pacific: Starwood Preferred Guest
If you’re somehow surprised that Starwood Preferred Guest picks up yet another Freddie Award, you haven’t been paying attention for years. Starwood proves that the fewer restrictions you put on awards, the more votes you’ll get.
In a major move, Hyatt Gold Passport moves from third to second, again demonstrating its popularity in this portion of the world.
Best Award Redemption, Frequent Flyer Program, Asia/Pacific: Air New Zealand Airpoints
Air New Zealand didn’t even place in the top 20 last year, but there’s been some changes way down under. Riding a wave of nationalism and innovative thinking, the Airpoints program takes first prize this year.
We note that in the top ten finalists, four are U.S.-based programs - an interesting situation in a region known for its own unique brand of loyalty programs.
Best Award Redemption, Frequent Guest Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: Starwood Preferred Guest
Starwood Preferred Guest takes this international category yet again - in fact, for the sixth time. Only Shangri-La Golden Circle has ever slowed the Starwood juggernaut in Award Redemption.
Once again, IHG Priority Club Reward is only slightly behind, and Marriott Rewards comes in a strong third.
Best Award Redemption, Frequent Flyer Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: Gulf Air Frequent flyer
From out of nowhere comes Gulf Air Frequent flyer, a newer and growing player in the Middle Eastern market and beyond. With a value vote of 9.02 and a respectable percentage of the overall vote, the program formerly known as “Falcon” makes its first-ever Freddie Award appearance.
Once again, the three sisters derived from the now-defunct Qualiflyer program finish in the top five, with SN Brussels Airlines Privilege narrowly beating out wunderkind TAP Air Portugal Navigator.
The winner for the past two years, Emirates Skywards, drops to fourth, but only by fractions of a value vote.
Best Award Redemption, Frequent Guest Program, Americas: Starwood Preferred Guest
There’s precious little anyone can do in the face of Starwood Preferred Guest’s lack of award restrictions. Frankly, it’s what the program is known for, and until other programs can adopt that philosophy (and manage to let the public know about it), Starwood will continue to reign in this category.
To that end, IHG Priority Club Rewards is hot on their trail, coming in a close second yet again.
Of note: Choice Hotels Privileges finishes a potent third this year, up from fifth, in a sign that budget and mid-level hotel programs are making serious inroads.
Best Award Redemption, Frequent Flyer Program, Americas: Southwest Rapid Rewards
Southwest Rapid Rewards has claimed a monopoly on this award since its inception in 1998, and 2004 was no exception. For the seventh straight year, Rapid Rewards takes the top prize in getting its members free seats when they want them. It’s not that surprising - after all, aside from a few blackout dates, Southwest has refused to impose restrictions on awards.
Alaska Mileage Plan again finishes strong, this time raising itself from third to second. And America West FlightFund, last year’s sixth-place finisher, makes a notable move to third place.
Of the other larger programs, its worth noting that Continental OnePass rises from eighth place to fourth, again hinting that the era of Freddie dominance by low-fare or smaller programs may be coming to an end.
Best Customer Service, Frequent Guest Program, Asia/Pacific: Starwood Preferred Guest
Starwood Preferred Guest racks up yet another award in this, perhaps the most important category.
Given its strong finishes elsewhere, it’s not surprising to see Shangri-La Golden Circle finish a very respectable second, with IHG Priority Club Rewards taking third.
Best Customer Service, Frequent Flyer Program, Asia/Pacific: American Airlines AAdvantage
American AAdvantage has succeeded in breaking the international barrier to Freddie success for U.S.-based programs in foreign markets. With a healthy 8.65 value vote, the largest frequent flyer program in the world has demonstrated that size need be no barrier to personal service.
Emirates Skywards, the 2002 winner of this coveted award, takes a very close second, and in third place we see Jet Airways Jet Privileges staking a claim to serious contention.
Best Customer Service, Frequent Guest Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: Starwood Preferred Guest
Starwood Preferred Guest wins again, this time in the Europe/Middle East/Africa region. Starwood nets an international Freddie in Customer Service for the fifth straight year.
Radisson SAS Gold Points comes in at a much-improved second, and IHG Priority Club Rewards, clearly the hungry runner-up for this year’s Freddies in general, places third.
Best Customer Service, Frequent Flyer Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: SN Brussels Airlines Privi
Once again, a smaller but (apparently) wiser program comes out ahead. SN Brussels Airlines Privilege takes home yet another Freddie Award, this time in perhaps the most important category. Curiously, Privilege only ranked tenth last year, but seems to have made up for it.
American AAdvantage, which has always done well among North American programs, surprises with a strong second-place finish.
And rounding out the top three, we once again see plucky Gulf Air Frequent flyer, a program that seems to be destined for Freddie greatness.
Best Customer Service, Frequent Guest Program, Americas: Starwood Preferred Guest
This is the sixth consecutive Customer Service win for Starwood Preferred Guest in the Americas. Only Marriott Rewards has more Freddies in this category, with seven. With a 9.27 value vote, and a full 19.08 percent of the overall vote, Starwood simply comes out on top…again.
IHG Priority Club Rewards places at a close second, though, bumping last year’s runner-up, Marriott to third place.
And look who comes in a tight fifth: Choice Privileges. Perhaps, as has happened in the airline industry, the time for budget-level hotel programs is at hand.
Best Customer Service, Frequent Flyer Program, Americas: Southwest Rapid Rewards
If loyalty had to be based on a single factor, it would be customer service. Southwest Rapid Reward not only understands this, but for the fourth straight year, and fifth time overall, has been singled out by the traveling public as the single best example. The lesson? When it comes down to service, all the perks in the world don’t mean a thing if there’s not a cohesive, consistent, and discernable appreciation for the customer.
Alaska Mileage Plan, always a contender for this coveted award, comes in a close second this year, followed by America West, which makes a remarkable jump from sixth to third this year.
Best Elite-Level Program, Frequent Guest Program, Asia/Pacific: Starwood Preferred Guest
Starwood Preferred Guest takes the top spot for elite-level program in the Asia Pacific Region.
Of note, though, is Shangri-La Golden Circle, again placing near the top, ahead of many larger, better-known programs.
Hyatt Gold Passport clings to third, and IHG Priority Club Rewards, second place in the other regions, drops to fourth.
Best Elite-Level Program, Frequent Flyer Program, Asia/Pacific: Northwest Airlines WorldPerks
A U.S.-based program has never won an international Freddie Award before this year. Northwest WorldPerks joins American AAdvantage in breaking the barrier this year, squeaking by Emirates Skywards to claim the top spot in the Asia Pacific region.
THAI Royal Orchid Plus, the top Asian program in combined international voting last year, claims third place for the way it treats its most loyal customers.
Once again, Jet Airways Jet Privileges makes a strong fourth-place showing.
Best Elite-Level Program, Frequent Guest Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: Starwood Preferred Gues
Starwood wins again. This is the fifth consecutive year that Starwood Preferred Guest has won the Freddie Award for Best Elite-Level Program. IHG Priority Club Rewards comes in second…as it did last year, and Hyatt Gold Passport claims third yet again.
Best Elite-Level Program, Frequent Flyer Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: TAP Air Portugal Naviga
If anyone in the Star Alliance had any reservations about TAP Air Portugal, those doubts should be firmly placed to rest. Yet again, the modestly-sized program beats out the competition, this time for elite-level program.
The rest of the top few qualifiers should be a surprise to no one. KLM Flying Dutchman, last year’s winner, finishes a comfortable fourth, while Swiss TravelClub and Emirates Skywards round out the top three.
Surprisingly, SAS EuroBonus tumbles from third to fifteenth … perhaps a sign of the potential capriciousness of the voting public.
Best Elite-Level Program, Frequent Guest Program, Americas: Starwood Preferred Guest
Starwood Preferred Guest swept this category last year, the year before, and…well, let’s just say that Starwood has won nine Freddie Awards for Best Elite Level Program prior to this year. It’s a streak that no one seems poised to break, as Starwood takes top honors by nearly three tenths of a point this year.
IHG Priority Club Rewards is not far behind, however: It’s made a significant jump from fourth to second.
Marriott Rewards, a program that rightfully prides itself on its treatment of elite members, stays in a solid third again this year.
Best Elite-Level Program, Frequent Flyer Program, Americas: America West FlightFund
The third time may be a charm, but in the case of America West FlightFund, it’s a sign of a legacy. For the third year in a row, FlightFund claims the top spot for elite level among Americas-region programs.
There is no denying that the perks offered by America West to its most frequent flyers are commendable, but if member comments are any indication, the real key seems to come down to two words: complimentary upgrades.
And if there was any question about that, take a look at this year’s second-place finisher by a mere one hundredth of a point - Continental OnePass. Up a full four places from last year, OnePass demonstrates that you don’t have to be small to contend for top honors.
Alaska Mileage Plan made a few changes to its elite level program last year, which might explain its drop from second to third, but with less than a tenth of a point difference between third place and first, it’s clear that those changes made little difference.
Program of the Year, Frequent Guest Program, Asia/Pacific: Starwood Preferred Guest
Need we say it again?
Starwood Preferred Guest racks up another international Best Program Award. Once again, both the value vote and the vote percentage go to this prolific winner.
Second place for this region goes to Shangri-La Golden Circle, and no one should be surprised. After all, the relatively small program scored big last year, finishing third in the combined international region.
Yearly contender Hyatt Gold Passport lands in third, with a notable improvement in value vote from 7.83 to 7.97.
Program of the Year, Frequent Flyer Program, Asia/Pacific: Emirates Skywards
Those who remember the Emirates Skywards dominance of the 2002 Freddies should not be at all surprised to see them back on top as they take the award in this category. With a breakaway value vote of 9.02, it’s clear that Skywards is pleasing its members in the Asia Pacific region, a part of the world where exemplary service and elite perks can make all the difference.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, one of the more innovative and diverse programs in the region, comes in second.
In third place, the very young – and very creative – Jet Airways Jet Privileges makes its mark.
Program of the Year, Frequent Guest Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: Starwood Preferred Guest
With the highest value vote and the largest percentage of the overall vote, Starwood Preferred Guest places first in the hearts of European travelers.
Hyatt Gold Passport makes an impressive leap from fourth to second this year, narrowly beating out Radisson SAS Gold Points, which also made a big jump to finish third this year.
Program of the Year, Frequent Flyer Program, Europe/Middle East/Africa: Swiss TravelClub
Our decision to break international competition into two regional categories was not the only change this year. Swiss TravelClub takes top honors for 2004, breaking the SAS EuroBonus monopoly for only the second time in history. This is the first time TravelClub has won as an individual entity – the 1995 award went to its predecessor, the fondly-remembered Qualiflyer program.
Perennial contender KLM Flying Dutchman certainly put up a fight, and we trust that it will continue to please its obviously loyal member base in its new incarnation as Flying Blue.
SN Brussels Airlines Privilege (another descendant of the Qualiflyer program) gauged a remarkable third-place finish, up all the way from sixth last year.
Program of the Year, Frequent Guest Program, Americas: Starwood Preferred Guest
Starwood Preferred Guest is back on top for the sixth straight year. Only one program – Marriott Rewards – has more Best Program awards (eight).
By bestowing a whopping 9.32 value vote, Starwood members are certainly not shy about their loyalty. And why should they be? It’s almost becoming routine for Preferred Guest to win.
But who’s that coming up from behind? IHG’s Priority Club takes a commanding second place, with a higher value vote (9.21) than winner Starwood had last year (9.11).
And Marriott Rewards makes an impressive jump this year, up from fifth, and garnering the largest percentage of the vote. Can a return to Freddie glory be far off?
Program of the Year, Frequent Flyer Program, Americas: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
For the third year in a row, Alaska’s Mileage Plan tops all comers in this most important category, and in a surprise move they invited their unofficial Mileage Plan representative to Flyertalk - Jean Whiteley, aka, missydarlin - to the stage to help accept the award.
This kind of dominance hasn’t been seen since Continental swept the Best Program award category six straight times from 1988-1993 and then again four straight times from1997-2000 (Interestingly, their run was interrupted by a three-year sweep by United).
It would be difficult to pinpoint a single reason for Alaska’s recent success, as strong finishes in nearly every category indicate a successful all-around approach.
Southwest Rapid Rewards, the Best Program of 2001, comes in second again, garnering a full 16.49 percent of the total vote. Southwest continues to dominate in both Customer Service and Award Redemption, so a strong overall finish is no surprise.
America West FlightFund makes a jump from fourth to third this year, trailing the top two finishers by only a few points.
And Continental OnePass strikes a blow for the big boys this year by moving up to number four, showing that competition for the top spot is not necessarily limited to the smaller programs.
See You Next Year
That concludes the 17th Annual Freddie Awards. Please peruse the links to the right to view all of tonight's winners, as well as all of the final qualifying vote tallies.
Thank you for visiting. We hope you enjoyed the coverage of the ceremony and join us again next year.