The primary advantage of frequent flyer miles is the chance to receive free or reduced travel awards. Certain mile amounts are exchanged for the cost of a round trip or one-way ticket. These tickets may be to domestic or international destinations, depending upon the sky mile value that is assigned to different destination categories. In addition, flight bookings in separate cabin classes may be awarded based on various amounts of frequent flyer miles. Typically first class seat assignments will "cost" more miles than a coach or economy fare. Sky miles are also used to reduce the price of an airline ticket if not enough miles are available to cover its full cost.
Services that usually result in additional charges may be reduced or eliminated by using frequent flyer miles. Checked baggage fees are typically waived for a certain amount of luggage, depending upon the traveler's frequent flyer status. Some of these programs contain several levels based on the amount of accumulated miles. Higher levels typically carry the greatest amount of benefits and fee exemptions. Ticket reissue fees, same day booking fees and paper ticket charges may be waived.
Travelers who participate in airline frequent flyer programs may be given priority when it comes to airport security checkpoints, flight boarding and standby preferences. Instead of waiting in long lines, travelers are given access to shorter security lines and allowed to board the plane first. This reduces the amount of frustration and inconvenience associated with air travel. Those travelers who wish to obtain seats on full or overbooked flights are also given standby preferences over travelers who do not participate in the airline's frequent flyer program.
Many airlines maintain exclusive rest areas in their hub airports. These rest and waiting areas feature privacy, refreshments and access to business center resources. Some of those resources include Internet access, access to printers and fax machines, satellite television and magazines. Shower facilities may be available in some of these exclusive rest areas.
