盡管現(xiàn)在仍有民航班機在天上飛，但大多數(shù)飛機搭載的乘客少之又少，有時甚至是零旅客的“幽靈航班”。為了抑制新冠病毒的傳播，現(xiàn)在所有不必要的旅行——無論是商務(wù)還是休閑——都毫無可能，航班的取消導致許多常旅客為現(xiàn)有積分和會員資格等級感到擔憂。
忠誠度計劃本質(zhì)上神秘又復雜，不同航空公司和不同航空聯(lián)盟之間的項目都各不相同。但一個共同之處是，大多數(shù)飛行常客計劃都會按照旅客今年的消費和積分，獎勵旅客第二年相應(yīng)的等級。也就是說，2019年的飛行積分決定了一個人2020年的會員資格等級。
但忠誠度計劃的會員們在完成2021年目標的過程中面臨一個難題，他們中很多人都是商務(wù)旅行者，現(xiàn)在數(shù)以百計的航班都被取消了，而且大多數(shù)人至少在未來幾周或幾個月內(nèi)都不會有任何形式的旅行。
航空公司對有關(guān)常旅客計劃的問題回應(yīng)較慢，他們的關(guān)注點是降低改簽或取消航班時收取的費用。但達美航空（Delta）本周末成為全美第一家公布常旅客調(diào)整方案的航空公司，美聯(lián)航(United Airlines)也在周一公布了方案，預計將有更多大型航空公司跟進。
《財富》雜志已經(jīng)聯(lián)系了北美地區(qū)的頂尖航空公司，將在未來幾天或幾周內(nèi)繼續(xù)更新本文，加入國內(nèi)外航空公司的信息。
達美航空
達美尊爵會（Medallion）會員的資格等級將自動延長至2021年，無論2020年是否飛夠了保級積分。此外，2020年的尊爵會資格里程（MQMs）將轉(zhuǎn)存至2021年。如果乘客登記了參加會員升級項目（通常通過商務(wù)旅行項目提供），在完成達標門檻時可以有額外的靈活度。
客戶使用賬戶積分的時限也延長至兩年。所有適用的電子積分將自動延長至2022年5月31前完成旅行，乘客無需進行任何操作。達美航空表示，他們正在研究如何在公司網(wǎng)站上顯示電子積分新的到期日期，因此，即使被取消的航班的電子積分還沒得到處理或延長，這些積分也是安全的。
此外，符合資格的達美航空非凡里程（SkyMiles ）美國運通卡（American Express）會員享受福利的時間也延長了，包括協(xié)伴優(yōu)惠券、100美元達美航空積分等。持有升級版協(xié)伴優(yōu)惠券或200美元旅行券的非凡里程會員也將擁有更長的使用期限。達美航空貴賓室（Delta Sky Club）會員的會員資格將免費延長六個月。
達美航空表示，將繼續(xù)免除2020年4月3日以前的機票改簽費，改簽航班執(zhí)飛時間最晚至2022年5月31日。至于2020年3月1日至5月31日期間新預定的機票，可在購買之日起一年內(nèi)免費改簽。
美國聯(lián)合航空公司
所有美聯(lián)航前程萬里（MileagePlus）貴賓（Premier）會員2020年的會員等級都將保留至2022年1月。此外，美聯(lián)航表示，2021年貴賓會員每一個級別的達標門檻都調(diào)低了50%，降低了升級難度。
美聯(lián)航正在增加貴賓會員使用升艙權(quán)益的方式，包括給所有將于2021年1月31日前到期的PlusPoints積分(在系統(tǒng)內(nèi)進行升艙的貨幣)延長6個月。美聯(lián)航還擴大了“跳過候補”（Skip Waitlist）政策的服務(wù)范圍，讓1K會員在乘坐更多國際長途航班時可以在預定時就確認升艙。
此外，美聯(lián)航還表示，他們將在2021年首次提高美聯(lián)航信用卡（United Explorer）和貴賓室卡（United Club）持卡人2021年刷卡消費累積貴賓資格積分（PQPs）的積分上限。從2020年5月1日到12月31日，美聯(lián)航將為美聯(lián)航信用卡會員提供雙倍最高積分的促銷活動，為美聯(lián)航貴賓室卡會員提供四倍最高積分的活動，以幫助客戶實現(xiàn)升級。
美聯(lián)航將延長電子代金券（ETCs）的有效期至預訂之日起兩年，并免除使用獎勵里程預訂航班的會員的退票費。該航空公司還將免除所有預定2020年5月31日前航班的會員的退票費，以及所有預定本年度5月31日以后航班并在起飛前30天取消航班的會員的手續(xù)費。
年度會員資格和訂閱服務(wù)（如美聯(lián)航貴賓廳使用權(quán)和無線網(wǎng)絡(luò)套餐）的有效期將至少延長6個月。
美國航空公司
美國航空公司尚未宣布其AAdvantage項目的調(diào)整方案。
該公司向《財富》雜志提供了以下聲明:
我們正在密切關(guān)注新冠肺炎疫情可能對本公司會員在本資格年度完成貴賓等級任務(wù)產(chǎn)生的影響。我們承諾保護他們的權(quán)益以及通過AAdvantage項目獲得并兌換里程的能力，這仍然是我們的首要任務(wù)。我們將繼續(xù)對情況加以評估。目前還沒有任何關(guān)于貴賓項目的更新信息。
購買2020年4月30日前機票的乘客可以免收改簽費。請注意，只可進行一次免費改簽。但乘客在改簽機票時可能需要補上差價。
西南航空公司
西南航空尚未宣布其Rapid Rewards計劃的調(diào)整方案。該航空公司的一位發(fā)言人告訴《財富》雜志，“Rapid Rewards計劃的核心沒有變”，西南航空“正在夜以繼日地工作，以兌現(xiàn)我們對會員的承諾，我們很快就會推出關(guān)于Rapid Rewards今后的一些方案。”
該航空公司是美國唯一一家?guī)缀踉谒星闆r下（誤機除外）都不收取改簽費或退票費的航空公司。
如果西南航空公司的旅客之前有不可退款的機票被取消了（在符合誤機政策的前提下），賬戶里發(fā)放了相應(yīng)的賠償金，該航空公司將延長部分旅行賠償金的到期日。已到期或?qū)⒂?020年3月1日至6月30日之間到期的賠償金，將延長至2021年6月30日。任何在2020年3月1日至6月30日間因航班取消而新收到的旅行賠償金，其有效期為2021年6月30日。對于任何不在上述日期范圍的不可退款的機票，旅行賠償金可以在最初購買日期起一年內(nèi)使用，但必須由機票上的人名使用。
加拿大航空
加拿大航空公司周一下午宣布了其Altitude項目的調(diào)整方案。2020年Altitude的所有會員級別將自動延長到2021年底。如果一個會員在2020年底之前達到了更高等級，他們將在滿足資格后享受該級別的權(quán)益，并保持到2021年底。會員有機會將會員級別贈與朋友或家人。
Altitude的會員也有機會通過一個持續(xù)到4月30日的特殊項目，在家中獲得Altitude里程。會員每向抗擊新冠肺炎的慈善機構(gòu)捐贈5 Aeroplan里程，將獲得1 Altitude資格里程（(AQMs)），最高可獲得25000里程，相關(guān)里程均可計入2021年的會員資格升級。
加拿大航空公司還推遲了Aeroplan里程的失效期。將從現(xiàn)在到5月14日間過期的任何里程都仍然有效。但從5月15日起，該航空公司的失效政策將恢復，這意味著如果在此日期之前沒有完成符合條件的交易，里程將過期。
在2020年4月15日之前預定2021年4月30日之前航班的乘客，可以在飛行兩小時之前對訂單進行一次免費改簽。改簽后的航班需要在2021年4月30日前執(zhí)飛。
任何使用加拿大航空公司Flight Pass（一種在特定時間特定區(qū)域進行單程飛行的預付電子客票套餐）預訂機票的人，都可以在原航班起飛兩小時前免費更改或取消預訂一次。失效日期在2020年3月13日至4月30日的所有Flight Pass均已延期至2020年7月31日。無限Flight Pass客戶可以暫停其Flight Pass（和每月分期付款），待客戶準備恢復旅行時再重新激活。（財富中文網(wǎng)）
譯者：Agatha
There are still commercial planes in the skies right now, but many of them are running with few passengers, and in a few cases, none at all. With all unnecessary travel—for business or pleasure—out of the question at the moment in order to curb the spread of COVID-19, cancellations have left many frequent fliers concerned about earned points and status.
Loyalty programs are byzantine in nature, and vary from airline to airline as well as among global alliances between airlines. But one commonality is that most frequent-flier programs log points and dollars spent on seats to award varying tiers of status for the following calendar year. Thus, points for flights taken in 2019 is how a person earned status for 2020.
But that presents a problem for loyalty program members—many of whom are business travelers—trying to achieve status for 2021 now that hundreds of flights have been canceled and most people won’t be taking trips of any kind for the next few weeks and months, at least.
Airlines have been slow to answer questions about frequent-flier programs, instead focusing on dropping fees for changes to reservations or cancellations. But as Delta became the first U.S. carrier over the weekend to announce its plan, followed by United Airlines on Monday, it’s expected that more major airlines will follow suit.
Fortune has reached out to the top North American carriers, and will update this post over the next few days and weeks as more information becomes available for both domestic and international providers.
Delta Air Lines
Current Delta Medallion Status will automatically be extended through 2021 whether or not the passenger re-qualifies through travel in 2020. In addition, all 2020 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) will be rolled over in 2021. If the passenger is enrolled in status promotions (usually offered through corporate travel programs), he or she will receive additional flexibility to complete those requirements.
Customers will also have up to two years to use any credits in their accounts. All applicable eCredits will be automatically extended for travel to be completed through May 31, 2022, with no action needed on the passenger’s part. Delta says it is working on a solution to display the new expiration dates on Delta.com, so even if the eCredit for canceled travel has not yet been processed or extended, the flight value is secure.
Additionally, eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card Members will get more time to enjoy benefits, including companion certificates and the $100 Delta flight credits. SkyMiles Members with upgrade certificates or $200 travel vouchers will also have additional time to use them. Delta Sky Club members will receive an additional six months of club membership for free.
Delta says it will continue to waive change fees for trips through May 31, 2022, for travel booked as of April 3, 2020. Customers can also change new tickets purchased between March 1 and May 31, 2020, without a change fee, for up to a year from the date of purchase.
United Airlines
All United MileagePlus Premier members will retain the status they earned for 2020 through January 2022. In addition, for the 2021 status year, United says it is reducing thresholds for premier qualification by 50% for each status level, to make reaching a higher status tier easier.
United is increasing the number of ways that Premier members can use their upgrade benefits, including offering a six-month extension for all PlusPoints (the currency used for systemwide upgrades) set to expire on or before Jan. 31, 2021. United is also expanding the availability of Skip Waitlist, an upgrade option that allows Premier 1K members to confirm upgrades at the time of booking, to more international long-haul flights.
Additionally, United says that for the first time ever, it is increasing the maximum number of Premier qualifying points (PQPs) United Explorer and United Club credit card holders can earn through card spending toward status in 2021. From May 1 through Dec. 31, 2020, United will be offering a promotion doubling the maximum points for United Explorer credit card members and quadrupling the maximum points for United Club card members to help customers achieve a higher status tier.
United is extending electronic travel certificates (ETCs), which will now be valid for two years from the time of booking, and waiving redeposit fees for members who booked travel using award miles. The airline is also waiving all redeposit fees for members who book flights through May 31, 2020, and will be waiving fees for all members who cancel their flights at least 30 days before departure for the remainder of 2020.
Annual memberships and subscriptions, such as United Club access as well as Wi-Fi packages, will see expiration dates extended by at least six months.
American Airlines
American Airlines has not yet announced future plans for its AAdvantage program.
The carrier provided the following statement to Fortune:
We’re closely monitoring the impact that COVID-19 may have on our members’ ability to earn elite status during the current qualifying year. Our commitment to their well-being and ability to earn and redeem miles through AAdvantage remains our top priority, and we’ll continue to assess the situation. We do not have any updates to share to our elite program at this time.
Passengers who bought tickets before April 30, 2020, can make changes to their reservations without change fees. Note that passengers are allowed to make a change only once with the change fee waived. But passengers could have to make up the difference in ticket prices when they rebook.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest has not yet announced plans for its Rapid Rewards program. A spokesperson for the airline tells Fortune that "the core of the Rapid Reward Programs has not changed," and that Southwest is "working around the clock to keep our commitment to our members, and will follow up with next steps regarding the Rapid Rewards program soon."
The airline already stands alone as the sole U.S. carrier that does not impose change or cancellation fees in nearly all cases (except no-shows).
For passengers who have credits in their accounts from previously nonrefundable tickets that were canceled in accordance with Southwest’s No Show Policy, the airline is extending the expiration date of some travel funds. Funds that have expired or will expire between March 1 and June 30, 2020, will now expire June 30, 2021. Any newly created travel fund because of a canceled flight between March 1 and June 30, 2020, will have an expiration date of June 30, 2021. For any nonrefundable tickets that do not fall within either date range, the travel funds can be used up to one year from the original purchase date but must be used by the individual named on the ticket.
Air Canada
Air Canada announced plans for its Altitude program on Monday afternoon. All Altitude status for 2020 will automatically be extended through to the end of 2021. Should a member reach a higher status before the end of 2020, they will enjoy it upon qualification, and maintain it through 2021 as well. Members have opportunity to gift status to a friend or family member.
Altitude members also have the opportunity to earn Aeroplan miles while staying at home through a special program running through April 30. For every five Aeroplan Miles a member donates to a charity engaged in fighting the COVID-19 crisis, he or she will receive one Altitude Qualifying Mile—up to a maximum of 25,000 Aeroplan Qualifying Miles (AQMs)—all of which count towards 2021 status.
Air Canada also pushed back expiration dates for Aeroplan miles. Any miles that would have expired between now and May 14 now will not. But effective May 15, the airline's expiration policy will be reinstated, meaning that miles will expire if an eligible transaction has not been completed prior to this date.
Passengers who booked flights up through April 15, 2020, for travel through April 30, 2021, can make a one-time change to existing bookings without a fee—up until two hours before your flight. Rebooked travel needs to take place before April 30, 2021
Anyone who made a booking with an Air Canada Flight Pass—a prepaid package of electronic one-way flight credits for travel within a selected geographic zone during a specific period—can change or cancel their reservations one time, for free, up to two hours before the original departure. All Flight Passes with an expiration date between March 13 to April 30, 2020, have been extended until July 31, 2020. Unlimited Flight Pass customers can put their unlimited Flight Passes (and monthly installment payments) on hold, and can reactivate them once the customer is ready to resume travel.
