Business Travel Rewards Programs at United Airlines to Get a Facelift

Unmanaged business travellers should expect a new United Airlines PerksPlus rewards program soon.

Starting February, the program will become exclusive to bookings made through travel agencies, leaving companies accustomed to direct bookings with United to transition to the United for Business portal.

Adam Keeter, the director of United for Business Products & Partners, assured that despite this shift, earn rates and redemption benefits for both categories under United's programs for unmanaged business travel would remain consistent.

Keeter highlighted the motive behind this change, citing the desire to integrate current PerksPlus member companies using United's website or app into the functionalities offered by United for Business, launched late last year. Notable features of this new portal include varied discount travel plans, detailed travel activity reports, and customizable booking and payment preferences for travel administrators.

"As more features have been rolled out this year, we're moving small and mid-sized enterprises that already use United channels for their PerksPlus travel to the new portal to deliver more functionality and a better customer experience", he commented.

Eligibility for the PerksPlus program requires companies to spend over $5,000 annually on business travel through United or its international joint venture partners. Participants in the PerksPlus program accumulate points redeemable for travel certificates, MileagePlus Premier status, and access to United Club lounges.

This strategic shift by United stands in contrast to American Airlines' recent decision. In October, American announced the phasing out of its Business Extra rewards program for small and mid-size businesses, introducing AAdvantage Business, a program exclusively rewarding companies booking directly.

In a communication to PerksPlus members on December 7, United acknowledged the significance many customers place on agencies, affirming their commitment to accommodating diverse customer preferences.

With its main office in Chicago, Illinois's Willis Tower, United Airlines, Inc. is one of the most prominent American carriers. With a vast domestic and international route network that covers every inhabited continent and city in the US, United Airlines serves a wide variety of destinations. After merging with Continental Airlines in 2010, it became the world's third-largest airline in terms of fleet size and route network.

 

Source: travelweekly.com