Prague, 15 July 2008
The Czech Airlines OK Plus frequent flyer programme currently has 325,000 members. Their number grew by 40,000 in half a year, which represents a 14 percent increase. Hence, OK Plus is drawing in about 6,500 new members a month. The increased number of holders of prestigious Silver, Gold, and newly also Platinum cards confirms the interest of frequent flyer programme members in an increasingly broader range of benefits. The OK Plus Programme has a 16-year history.
More advantageous parking
The OK Plus Programme is one of the oldest frequent flyer plans in Europe. The holders of OK Plus membership cards can now enjoy several new benefits. Since April, advantageous parking at Prague Airport has been available to them, offered in association with the VINCI Park corporation. OK Plus members are credited 200 miles for each CZK 500 spent on parking, on bills of CZK 500 and up. In order for the member to be credited the miles in his OK Plus account, he/she needs to present his OK Plus card to the service staff in the parking office when paying for parking.
The holders of the most prestigious Platinum Card can newly use a special telephone line designed for the priority handling of client requests. The telephone line for OK Plus Platinum Card holders is available 24 hours per day, in seven world languages.
Access to a new lounge
Starting in July, Czech Airlines passengers can try out the new economy lounge in the Budweiser Budvar Restaurant and Caffé L’attesa coffee shop at Prague Airport, between Terminals 1 and 2. OK Plus Programme members can enjoy a free coffee, tea, or a soft drink of up to CZK 45. OK Plus Gold Card holders will also receive refreshments for one guest, and OK Plus Platinum Card holders can invite two of their friends. The lounge boasts free wi-fi Internet access. Passengers in the lounge can check in via Internet Check-in and print up their boarding passes. The lounge also features departures and arrivals information. Daily press is offered here, free of charge. The lounge is available to passengers every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
New Czech Airlines services
The newest benefit, and not only for OK Plus members, but for all Czech Airlines passengers, is the free service of wrapping bags in protective foil at Prague Ruzyně Airport. This service is available for all OK-code flights, i.e., even for flights operated by Czech Airlines’ code-share partners.
The Czech Airlines OK Plus Programme
Czech Airlines boasts one of the oldest frequent flyer programmes in Europe. Furthermore, Czech Airlines’ OK Plus is interconnected with the frequent flyer programmes of the other thirteen airlines associated in the SkyTeam Alliance, enabling passengers to collect miles or redeem reward tickets throughout the entire alliance network. In addition to alliance partners, the members of the OK Plus loyalty programmes can earn miles and redeem reward tickets on the flights of the Taiwanese airline China Airlines or the Maltese airline, Air Malta. Currently, there are about 325,000 active members in the OK Plus Programme, which is among the most prestigious loyalty programmes in the Czech Republic, with an international reach.
OK Plus Corporate
In addition to the OK Plus Programme, which is designed for individuals, Czech Airlines offers as similar programme for its corporate customers – OK Plus Corporate. With it, companies can collect points in their corporate account for the flights of their employees; and employees, provided that they are OK Plus members, get miles in their personal accounts. The combination of both programmes is ideal for clients. Furthermore, large companies have corporate agreements with Czech Airlines, affording them customised conditions. Most of them make use of special advantageous prices to specific selected destinations in the Czech Airlines network.
OK Plus Programme Rewards
The miles earned can be redeemed in the form of reward tickets and a number of other travel-related rewards, such as upgrades from Economy to Business Class, access to lounges at Prague Airport, free overweight baggage, car hire, a lesson on a flight simulator, or a flight in a Czech Airlines hot-air balloon. With the requisite number of miles or flight segments flown in one calendar year, OK Plus Programme members can earn a Silver, Gold, or Platinum Card which brings them a number of further above-standard benefits and comforts when travelling by air.
For their flights, passengers receive the actual number of miles flown, but at least 500 on domestic flights and 1,000 on international routes. Business Class passengers, for example, receive double miles, whereas no miles are credited for tickets in the lower fare categories. Areward ticket can be obtained for as little as 15,000 miles.
Daniela Hupáková
Communications Director
Czech Airlines Press Spokesperson
*****
Czech Airlines – In 2007, Czech Airlines aircraft carried 5.6 million passengers. Since 2001, the airline has been a member of SkyTeam, one of the leading global airline alliances. Czech Airlines currently offers connections to 135 destinations in 48 countries worldwide. The fleet comprises 50 aircraft – ATR 42s/72s, Boeing 737s, and Airbus A310/A319/A320/A321s. In 2007, Czech Airlines ranked first in on-time flight performance, among the 26 member airlines of the Association of European Airlines (AEA).
For the last five years, Czech Airlines has been selected as the “Best Airline Based in Central/Eastern Europe - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008”. This title is awarded annually by the Official Airline Guide (OAG) and is based on the votes of frequent business travellers.
In 2007, the Airline also won the “Best Airline in Central Europe” award, bestowed annually by the independent British organisation Skytrax, as a part of The World Airline Awards ranking, based on the votes of millions of passengers from all over the world. Czech Airlines also won the “Best Airline in Eastern Europe” Award (the Annual GT Tested Awards) for a second year running. On the basis of the results of an annual readers’ survey, the American magazine Business Traveler awarded Czech Airlines “Best Airline in Central and Eastern Europe”. Czech Airlines was also on the shortlist of the eight best world airlines in 2005.
CONTACT: [email protected]; Czech Airlines, Prague – Ruzyně Airport, PRAGUE 6, tel.: 220 11 6220, http://www.czechairlines.com/