PIA urged to digitalise award-plus scheme

It will allow flyers to get discounts while buying tickets online

ISLAMABAD:

Businessmen have urged Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to digitalise its award-plus system so that customers can redeem their points while purchasing tickets online.

Talking to a delegation of PIA on Friday, Bin Qasim Association of Trade and Industry (BQATI) Patron-in-Chief Mian Muhammad Ahmed cherished that the airline was improving steadily and it also managed to outperform many other global airlines in the midst of Covid-19 pandemic.

However, he said certain issues needed to be fixed such as problems faced in flight network connectivity, Business Class fares, allocation charges and flight schedule.

"The award-plus system needs to be brought online so that customers can purchase tickets while redeeming their points," he said.

Talking to The Express Tribune, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan said that the BQATI patron-in-chief suggested many other improvements in line with his experience and the delegation noted his recommendations which would be implemented in the airline's operations.

He pointed out that PIA's A+ Award scheme was designed for frequent travellers, who received points each time they booked a ticket with PIA.

After accumulating a certain number of points, the flyers become eligible for a range of offers given by the airline.

"For example, one can redeem A+ miles for free tickets, excess baggage vouchers and cabin upgrade," he said.

Every airline offers special incentives to the frequent flyers in a bid to retain them in the longer term.

Brand loyal customers of PIA are now requesting the national flag carrier to digitalise the system so that they can avail themselves of the discounts while purchasing tickets online.

In the meeting, PIA CEO Arshad Malik praised the requests and suggestions made by the BQATI and assured the business association of addressing the issues and resolving them on priority.

The two sides also inked a memorandum of understanding under which BQATI members would be eligible for 10% discount on the Economy and Economy Plus tickets of PIA flights for international and domestic destinations.

The BQATI promised the delegation that it would extend full support and facilitation for promoting PIA products and services on the electronic, print and social media platforms.