New benefits unveiled

AirTran Airways has announced some changes to it’s A+ Rewards frequent flyer program – and they do no involve new fees or a reduced awards schedule. AirTran said that effective now, A+ Rewards Elite members will be allowed to upgrade to business class at the gate beginning 40 minutes prior to departure, if space is available, regardless of the fare class they bought. “Up to one extra passenger may be upgraded if the flight is booked on the same reservation,” the company said. In addition, elite-level members and A2B corporate customers will get priority standby status; elites will have access to a dedicated phone number for reservations, award redemptions or questions about their account; and elites who travel on partner Frontier Airlines will get the same treatment as Frontier’s Summit members, including free in-flight TV, free beverages, and exemption from redemption and change fees. AirTran said that effective February 1, it will no longer create A+ vouchers for Rewards flights; instead, credits may be redeemed only for award flight bookings or upgrades. The AirTran program provides a free one-way ticket after four paid roundtrips.