US Airways warned last week that its second-quarter revenue will be down significantly from a year ago because of a drop in business travel. The result is they are not booking in advance. With many businesses and some vacationers shelving trips, travel companies are stepping up their marketing to members of frequent-traveler clubs in hopes they will keep coming back. It has enrolled 20,000 members so far. Travelocity introduced a Preferred Traveler Program last month to attract occasional travelers with frequent traveler-type promotions.
Members can get discounted airfares, airport shuttle trips and passes to airline airport lounges.
Members of frequent-travel clubs also will find it easier to earn or use awards this year. For each stay, Priority Club Worldwide members earn 2,001 miles good on airlines such as American, United, Delta, Continental and British Airways. Travelers making reservations elsewhere must book twice as many trips before they earn a free ticket. Marriott recently announced new awards that let members use points for free hotel stays year-round in popular destinations such as Paris and Maui, Hawaii.