Mumbai: The latest YouGov survey research shows that more than half of urban Indians (54 per cent) are members of at least one airline loyalty program.
About a quarter (25 per cent) are members of Air India Flying Returns – by far the most popular airline loyalty club – followed, at a distance, by Emirates
Skywards (11 per cent).
Foreign airline loyalty programs
Qatar Airways Privilege Club (9 per cent) and Singapore Airlines / Scoot KrisFlyer (8 per cent) are as popular among consumers as are some domestic programs, namely Club Vistara by Vistara Airlines and SpiceClub by Spicejet (8 per cent each).
The top three loyalty programs are notably more popular with men than women.
Among the age groups, Air India Flying Returns appears to be more popular among the millennials (at 29 per cent) as compared to others but Emirates Skywards has
a stronger resonance with GenZ (at 14 per cent).
When asked about the top two benefits they most appreciate about being an airline loyalty club member, three in ten (29 per cent) highlight being able to redeem
their miles for discounted / free flights as a top perk.
About a quarter (26 per cent) value airport lounge access
as a top advantage followed by additional luggage allowance, hotel deals and dedicated customer service (at 18 per cent each).
Seat upgrades (15 per cent), cost-saving deals on retail purchases (13 per cent), and priority boarding (13 per cent) are the next most popular advantages.
While airport lounge access is more important to men than women (29 per cent vs 22 per cent), dedicated customer service appeals more to women than men (20 per cent vs 15 per cent).
Finally, when airline loyalty program members were asked how they typically decide on international flight bookings, over a third (36 per cent) said they start
by searching for flights that fit their travel schedule and choose the most attractive option irrespective of their loyalty program membership.
However, a fifth (20 per cent) look for airlines that fit their schedule but prioritise ones where they are loyalty members.
One in six (16 per cent) start by searching among airlines where they are a loyalty member – with 11 per cent saying they will typically choose between flights offered
by such airlines only.
