Point Me to the Miles

Freddie Awards Wrap-Up

As noted last night, I was very fortunate to be one of 400 attendees at the Freddie Awards ceremony last night.  Live-blogging, with a few glitches seemed to work ok on my phone.

Anyway, I wanted to take a quick minute to re-cap who a couple of the big winners were. Probably the biggest (and most surprising winner) was Air Baltic.  Their BalticMiles program received awards for Best Redemption Ability, and Best Elite Program, within the Europe and Africa category.  I totally called this and have a million miles with them–OK, really very few in the room had even heard of BalticMiles before.  Even more impressive for AirBaltic, who is an offshoot from Scandanavian airline SAS, is that these were the very first awards they had ever received.  Their representatives seemed genuinely excited to receive such a great honor, and it showed what these awards mean to some of the programs.

Another surprise winner was Marriott Rewards.  Yes, the stay 75 nights to top-tier Marriott. Marriott received awards for Best Customer Service, Best Elite Program, Best Promotion for Redemption (PointSavers) and Program of the year, all in the Americas in addition to best Redemption Ability in Europe/Africa.  I think this is largely due to the sheer size of Marriott’s footprint–I can think of very few places I have been without at least one Marriott property, which in turn attracts a large number of customers.  In fact, I think their program is largely undervalued.  Even for those who may reach close to 50 nights, I think there are a lot of benefits to be enjoyed…. Sounds like an upcoming post to me.

Myself with some of the Marriott Crew--Gotta Love 'Em!

An additional shocker given it’s current financial state, was American Airlines taking the Airline Program of the Year in the Americas Award.  As celebrity and host Robert Wuhl pointed out, American is also this year’s Chapter 11 award winner.  If they were to merge with US Airways as rumored, it would be the Chapter 33 award!

Finally, the other big story of the night was how many awards Starwood Preferred Guest hogged took home.  They were awarded Hotel Program of the Year in Europe/Africa, Best Promotion for Redemption (Starwood Preferred Guest Moments–Non stay experiences), Best Promotion for Earning (Getaway Free) in both the Americas and Europe/Africa, and Best Redemption Ability in the Americas.

I almost forgot, I was awarded the Freddie for best blogger–just kidding, but I did get to hold one!

Freddie Awards Live Blogging

Good Evening, and welcome live from Renaissance Newark Airport, scene of the Freddie Awards!  I thought about live tweeting on the Freddies tonight, but think I can do one better—live blog on the results.

Hopefully all goes well with my phone!  So be sure to check back through the night for updates, and I will update the list of winners:

Airline Programs

Americas:
Best Program for Redemption — Delta SkyMiles/Travel on Style for Half the Miles (Int’l Upgrade)
Best Promotion for Earning — American Airlines/Double Elite Qualifying Miles
Best Redemption Ability— TAM Fidelidade
Best Customer Service —American AAdvantage
Best Elite Program — American AAdvantage
Program of the Year — American Airlines AAdvantage

Europe, Africa:
Best Program for Redemption — Lufthansa Miles and More – Upgrade Discounts
Best Promotion for Earning — JetPrivelege/A Trip Well Advised!
Best Redemption Ability— Baltic Miles (First Award Ever for BalticMiles)
Best Customer Service —
Best Elite Program — BalticMiles
Program of the Year — Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles

Middle East, Asia, Oceania:
Best Program for Redemption — El Al – Upgrade Assured
Best Promotion for Earning — Miles & More Lufthansa
Best Redemption Ability— Ethiad Guest
Best Customer Service —
Best Elite Program — Ethiad Guest
Program of the Year – Jet Airways JetPrivelege

Hotel Programs

Americas:
Best Program for Redemption — Marriott Rewards/ PointsSavers
Best Promotion for Earning —SPG/SPG Getaway Free
Best Redemption Ability— Marriott Rewards
Best Customer Service — Marriott Rewards
Best Elite Program — Marriott Rewards
Program of the Year — Marriott Rewards

Europe, Africa:
Best Program for Redemption — SPG/SPG Moments
Best Promotion for Earning — SPG/SPG Getaway Free
Best Redemption Ability— SPG
Best Customer Service —
Best Elite Program — Hyatt Gold Passport
Program of the Year — SPG

Middle East, Asia, Oceania:
Best Program for Redemption —SPG/SPG Moments
Best Promotion for Earning — A Club-Bring Back Smiles to Thailand
Best Redemption Ability— Taj Inner Circle
Best Customer Service — Taj Hotels
Best Elite Program — Hyatt Gold PassPort
Program of the Year — Taj Inner Circle

Credit Cards – Best Loyalty Credit Card

Americas – Delta American Express
Europe, Africa – Turkish Miles & Shop Garanti
Middle East, Asia, Oceania – Ethiad Guest Visa

Special Notes and Jokes:

SAS recognozed for 20 years (with cake)
American – Chapter 11 Award, US Airways – Twice – Making it Chapter 33 Award
Sports Note – Jazz from Utah, an oxymoron
American AAdvantage – Airline program of the year. Thank you note for customer service sent.  Signed Alec Baldwin.