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How Much Do You Really Know About Airline Loyalty Programs?

July 12, 2016
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3 min read
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How Much Do You Really Know About Airline Loyalty Programs?
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So you think you're a frequent-flying expert? Find out how well you really know your airline loyalty programs with this quiz — then check your answers below and let us know how you did.

1. What was the first airline in the world to launch a loyalty rewards program for its customers?

a) American Airlines

b) Western Airlines

c) United Airlines

d) Delta Air Lines

2. Which airline was the first to come out with a loyalty program that specifically counted the miles traveled?

a) Texas International Airlines

b) American Airlines

c) Pan Am

d) Hawaiian Airlines

3. What is the the only major U.S. airline currently operating without a frequent-flyer program?

a) Allegiant Air

b) JetBlue

c) Sun Country

d) Virgin America

4. For $99 (or 117 points and $60), you can order an inflight marriage-proposal kit from which airline? (An attendant will also bring wine, two glasses and chocolates — if the answer is yes.)

a) Air France

b) El Al

c) Thai Airways

d) Alitalia

5. For 9,000 miles, Air France will give you a make up bag made out of what item you'd normally expect to see on your flight, not in your purse?

a) Part of the wing

b) An old-school captain's uniform

c) A captain's cap

d) A recycled life vest

6. What's the name of the LAM Mozambique Airlines loyalty program?

a) Sandpiper Rewards

b) Flamingo Club

c) Cloud Miles

d) Choice Privileges

7. If you're redeeming FlySmiLes, you're a member of which loyalty program?

a) Spirit Airlines

b) Caribbean Airlines

c) SriLankan Airlines

d) Wizz Air

8. What's the name of the lowest membership tier of the Air France-KLM Flying Blue mileage program?

a) Bleu

b) Ivory

c) Roquefort

d) Gold

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9. In 2011, United Airlines changed the name of its old frequent-flyer program to MileagePlus. What was it called before?

a) SkyPass

b) United Airlines Frequent Flyer Rewards

c) UFIA (United Flyers International Awards)

d) Mileage Plus

10. The designer of the logo for the American Airlines AAdvantage program, Massimo Vignelli, also designed which of the following?

a) The New York City subway map

b) The logo of the 1984 Summer Olympics

c) The New York Yankees logo

d) The Adidas trefoil logo

Answers:

1. c) United Airlines, in 1972.

2. a) Texas International Airlines, in 1979.

3. a) Allegiant Air

4. b) El Al

5. d) A recycled life vest

6. b) Flamingo Club

7. c) SriLankan Airlines

8. b) Ivory

9. d) Mileage Plus (with a space)

10. a) The New York City subway map

How many of these did you get right? Share your results in the comments section, below.

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  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.