Note: This is archived information from past events. To view this year's news and contact info, click here.

11th Annual Freddie Awards Press Release

BEST FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMS CHOSEN IN THE 11TH ANNUAL FREDDIE AWARDS

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. - Continental OnePass and Marriott Rewards take the top awards in the 11th annual Freddie awards sponsored by InsideFlyer magazine, MCI WorldCom, American Express SkyGuide, MaxMiles and ClickRewards, InsideFlyer Editor and Publisher Randy Petersen announced today.

The awards were announced during a ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel overlooking Times Square in New York City. The event was also webcast live via the Internet using some of the latest digital technology. A recap of the event may be viewed online at http://www.webflyer.com/@livefly/frlive.htm.

Special guest Sir Freddy Laker, for whom the awards were named, participated in the ceremony.

Over 82,840 frequent travelers from around the globe cast over 954,000 votes this year. The awards represent excellence in frequent travel programs and rate the best frequent flyer and frequent guest programs in eight different categories: Program of the Year, Best Bonus, Best Award, Best Web Site, Best Elite Level, Best Newsletter, Best Customer Service and Best Award Redemption. The Best Affinity Credit Card was also chosen.

Eighty-two percent of the Freddie ballots were cast via the Internet this year, compared to 10 percent cast online in 1995. To ensure accuracy, votes were subject to three audits using a variety of technology. Approximately 6,000 votes did not survive the audits, as they appeared to conflict with the "one traveler, one vote" ideology of the Freddies.

Winners are determined by "Value Voting," a system in which voters assign a number between 1 and 10 for each program in addition to ranking programs according to the voter's preference. The program receiving the highest average Value Vote with at least 10 percent of the overall popular vote in a category wins that category. In some categories, results were so close Value Votes had to be tallied to four decimal places.

This year's winners are:

Frequent Flyer Programs

Program of the Year
Continental Airlines OnePass

Best Award
Continental Airlines OnePass
"BusinessFirst Upgrade" (from full fare)

Best Award Redemption
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards

Best Bonus Promotion
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
"Friends Fly Free"

Best Newsletter
American Airlines AAdvantage

Best Web Site
Continental Airlines OnePass

Best Elite-Level Program
Continental Airlines OnePass

Best Customer Service
Continental Airlines OnePass

Best Affinity Credit Card
Diners Club Club Rewards

Frequent Guest Programs

Program of the Year
Marriott Hotels Marriott Rewards

Best Award
Hyatt Hotels Gold Passport
"Dreamscape Awards"

Best Award Redemption
Marriott Hotels Marriott Rewards

Best Bonus Promotion
Hilton Hotels Hilton HHonors Worldwide
"double Double Dip"

Best Newsletter
Hilton Hotels Hilton HHonors Worldwide

Best Web Site
Hilton Hotels Hilton HHonors Worldwide

Best Elite-Level Program
Hyatt Hotels Gold Passport

Best Customer Service
Hyatt Hotels Gold Passport

Several other awards are given out annually as part of the Freddies. Initially introduced in 1992, the "Randys" are presented by Randy Petersen and are determined by editorial decision rather than by ballot. These awards honor the programs and individuals that have had, or will have, the biggest impact on the industry in coming years. This year, Industry Impact Awards were presented to the Star Alliance and United College Plus. Rising Star Awards were given to ClickRewards and American Express Membership Rewards Canada.

RANDY PETERSEN PICKS HIS "BESTS" FOR FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMS

InsideFlyer Publisher and Editor Randy Petersen has named his choices for the programs he thinks best served frequent travelers in 1998.

The announcement of the "Randys" coincides with the unveiling of the 11th annual Freddie Awards. The Freddies honor the best frequent flyer, frequent guest and affinity credit card programs chosen by frequent travelers themselves. Before making his picks, Randy studied the Freddies results and the past year in travel to determine which programs he believes had and will have the most impact on frequent travelers.

Randy's choices are:

Industry Impact Award

Star Alliance
With eight major carriers - including the world's largest, United - covering all geographic regions, the Star Alliance was chosen for introducing and defining the standard for all frequent flyer program alliances. The Star Alliance includes United Mileage Plus, Lufthansa Miles & More, Air Canada Aeroplan, SAS EuroBonus, Thai Royal Orchid Plus and Varig Smiles. Air New Zealand Air Points and Ansett Australia Global Rewards will soon join the Star Alliance as well.

United College Plus
By offering college students special benefits not available through other frequent flyer programs, United has guaranteed itself a solid share of an upcoming market. As the most complete new program in many years from a frequent flyer program and one that identifies where the industry is headed, United College Plus earns an Industry Impact Award.

Rising Star Awards

ClickRewards
For building a network of Web sites to promote frequent flyer miles as the standard digital currency, ClickRewards has earned a Rising Star Award. Randy predicts the early success of the program may mean this group someday issues more miles digitally than are currently flown today.

American Express Membership Rewards Canada
For creatively developing and delivering a new generation of privileges and benefts for affinity credit cards, the American Express Membership Rewards Canada earns a Rising Star Award. Membership benefits include a points accelerator for platinum members than earns 1.5 points per dollar spent. Platinum members also qualify for a one-a-year bonus of a free companion ticket to any destination in the world with Canadian Airlines. All members benefit from a special award chart that discounts the Canadian Plus award chart when points are redeemed from Membership Rewards.

Winners of the "Randys" were recognized during a ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel overlooking Times Square in New York City. Winners received a crystal obelisk from InsideFlyer and its co-sponsors, MCI WorldCom, American Express SkyGuide, MaxMiles and ClickRewards. The event was also webcast live via the Internet using some of the latest digital technology. A recap of the event may be viewed online at http://www.webflyer.com/@livefly/frlive.htm.