Business travellers have been known to complain that air miles can be difficult to redeem, and on many discounted tickets they do not accrue at all.
However, one company offers good value for money with its points and miles system. Star Alliance has a membership programme for frequent flyers who take any one of its member airlines. In its frequent flyer programme (FFP), miles on any other airline can also be banked to the member's FFP account. Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer is one popular option.
Miles can be earned on Star Alliance flights to and from Hong Kong on Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Swiss, Thai Airways and United Airlines.
Points towards air miles can also be earned through transactions with Asia Miles and Star Alliance non-airline partners, particularly by using partner credit cards. Air miles eventually expire if left unused, so if credit card points, convertible to air miles, have no expiry date - as is the case with American Express - the best policy is not to convert them until shortly before you intend to apply for a redemption ticket or upgrade.
Major international hotel loyalty programmes include the InterContinental Hotel Group's Priority Club, Hilton's Hhonors, and the Wyndham Hotel Group's TripRewards.
Of the three major Hong Kong headquartered luxury hotel groups, neither the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group nor the Peninsula Hotels have loyalty programmes, although Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts does with Golden Circle. This programme awards guests privileges during their stays rather than points. Depending on the tier of membership - classic, executive or elite - benefits include priority check-in, complimentary breakfast and room upgrades. 'We have never had a loyalty programme at any of our hotels,' said Sally de Souza, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group's public relations manager.