London -1 December 2008 - Star Alliance has recently undertaken a comprehensive customer survey among small and medium businesses in the UK and Ireland who participate in Star Alliance Company Plus (SACP) loyalty programme
The main aim of the survey was to gain feedback in order to enhance the programme in 2009.
One of the main findings is that 50 per cent of companies surveyed confirmed that obtaining free flights is still the most popular benefit from a corporate programme such as SACP. Choices, such as receiving a cashback were however gaining more interest.
Surprisingly, the survey also showed that 52 per cent of respondents are going to be travelling as much as before, with 34 per cent saying that they will be flying more than before. The survey reveals that 60 per cent of companies have a travel policy and 30% of those companies were looking for the best value airlines offering the right fare in the class of travel required.
"This survey clearly indicates that small and medium businesses in the UK are looking to travel as much in 2009 as they have done in 2008. Our unique alliance offering is already very attractive today and with further carriers planning on joining Star Alliance Company Plus in 2009, we are confident that we could even grow our share of this business," said Jo Ashman, from SAS, in his role as spokesperson for Star Alliance Company Plus in the UK and Ireland.
"The SME market, with its smaller travel budgets, is understandably the most nervous in the current economic climate. It is this group that is more likely to postpone or cancel their trips. However, we are seeing that corporate clients are taking comfort in working with established and secure network airlines as their travel partners." he added.
Complementing the survey is an incentive campaign to encourage more SMEs to join the scheme, with an enhanced joining offer, including quarterly special deals on flights and the signing of new fulfillment partners - hotels, car hire companies, etc.