Frontier Airlines on July 16 will end its nearly four-year-old reciprocal frequent flyer partnership with AirTran Airways, as Frontier further aligns with Midwest Airlines.
Travelers no longer will be able to earn reciprocal flight credits from Frontier's EarlyReturns and AirTran's A+ Rewards frequent flyer programs, stemming from an agreement between the two airlines forged in late 2006
(BTNonline, Nov. 14, 2006).
Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings last year purchased both Frontier and Midwest through separate transactions and this year announced plans to retire the Midwest name and fold it under the Frontier brand. AirTran, which failed to take over Midwest a few years ago, remains an aggressive competitor at Midwest's Milwaukee hub and just last week made a play for Midwest frequent flyer members.
Through a 30-day promotion announced last Friday, AirTran promised 32 A+ Rewards credits—"the equivalent of one round-trip Business Class ticket or two coach tickets"—to Midwest frequent flyers who donate 50,000 miles to select charities affiliated with the Midwest Airlines Miracle Miles program.