There are the best frequent flyer programs, and then there are the frequent flyer programs with the best names. This post is about the latter, and yes, the two do seem to be mutually exclusive. 😉
Airlines all have their own unique names for frequent flyer programs, but there aren’t many that really make you go “wow.” In the United States, you have programs like American AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, etc. I mean, the names are easy enough to remember, but nothing too exciting.
Then you have the names of the individual elite membership tiers, which are all too often just the name of a precious metal, whether it’s Silver, Gold, Platinum, or Diamond.
In this post, I’d like to share the frequent flyer program names that I find to be most fun and memorable. In some cases it’s the program as such that has a unique name, while in other cases it’s the elite tier. With that in mind, below are my favorites, in no particular order.
Cayman Airways Sir Turtle Rewards
I’ve never flown Cayman Airways, but the carrier’s Sir Turtle Rewards program almost makes me want to. I mean, how cool is that?! Can you even have a meltdown as an elite member when that’s the name of the program?
Like, picture the below interaction, but replace “Diamond guest” with “Sir Turtle Rewards member.” It instantly makes everything more fun, no?!
Royal Jordanian Royal Club Platinum Hawk
Royal Jordanian’s frequent flyer program is named Royal Club, which is whatever. What’s much more memorable are the names of the three elite tiers — Silver Jay, Gold Sparrow, and Platinum Hawk. Who would want to be a Platinum member, when you could instead be a Platinum Hawk?! Kee-eeeee-arr!
Korean Air SkyPass Morning Calm
Korean Air’s frequent flyer program is named Korean Air SkyPass, which is nothing exciting. However, the carrier’s elite tier is Morning Calm, and I can’t help but love that. Maybe it’s in part because I’m a morning person, and I’m also pretty calm… most of the time. I believe the inspiration behind this name is that South Korea is sometimes referred to as “the land of the morning calm.”
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
Turkish Airlines’ frequent flyer program is named Miles&Smiles, and I just find that adorable. What a fun, positive name for a program. Of course when the program has a devaluation, perhaps many of us view it more as Miles&Frowns.
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
EVA Air’s frequent flyer program is named Infinity MileageLands, and that’s… a mouthful. I find it equal parts fun and cute, as it’s somewhere between Toy Story and something being lost in translation.
Starlux COSMILE Insighter
Airlines from Taiwan sure know how to name frequent flyer programs, or something. 😉 Starlux Airlines’ frequent flyer program is named COSMILE, and it has several membership tiers — Traveler, Adventurer, Explorer, and Insighter. Much like with EVA Air, I feel like being a Starlux COSMILE Insighter member is quite a fun distinction!
TAAG Angola Airlines Umbi Umbi Club
I pity the person who is loyal to TAAG Angola Airlines (at least based on my experience flying with the airline), but I’ll give the carrier credit for its Umbi Umbi Club, which is the name of the frequent flyer program. I’m not sure what exactly the inspiration is for that name, but based a little research, it appears that “umbi” means “root” or “tuber” in the Kimbundu language, which… still doesn’t exactly help me understand the name?
Air Astana Nomad Club
Air Astana is the national airline of Kazakstan, and its frequent flyer program is named Nomad Club. I think that’s such an awesome frequent flyer program name. For one, it pays tribute to the country’s history, given that Kazakh people were traditionally nomadic pastoralists. But in many ways, those who fly a lot also have a “nomadic” lifestyle, so I find that to be creative.
Sichuan Airlines Golden Panda Club
Sichuan Airlines’ frequent flyer program is named Golden Panda Club, an obvious tribute to how Chengdu and the region are known for their pandas. Who wouldn’t want to be a Platinum Golden Panda Club member?!
Bottom line
You’ve gotta respect when airlines get creative with the names of their frequent flyer programs, and I think the above airlines all do that. We’re so used to airlines taking similar approaches to naming their programs, so it’s nice when there’s a bit of creativity. In some cases it’s just lighthearted fun, while in other cases it’s also a reflection of the culture of the country the airline is from.
What’s your favorite frequent flyer program name?
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