Aeroflot-Russian International Airlines and Unisys Corporation have announced the launch of "Bonus," the airline`s first frequent flyer program. Bonus allows Aeroflot to provide customers with greater recognition and rewards when they use the airline and its partners. The Unisys Customer Loyalty System (CLS), which manages frequent flyer, lounge and other loyalty programs, enables Aeroflot to reward customers by tracking travel purchases and to provide increased levels of service to its most loyal customers.
"Aeroflot intends to be a major player in the global marketplace," said Alexander Filippov, program director, Aeroflot-Russian International Airlines. "Having a frequent flyer program is an essential first step in this process. Getting to know our customers better and providing customized services and offerings is the next step. We chose Unisys CLS since we could implement it quickly and because it provides a platform for our future customer-centered improvements."
Aeroflot and Unisys developed the Bonus program to be highly competitive with other frequent flyer programs. Aeroflot`s Bonus program awards customers with one Bonus point for every kilometer flown in coach class and with extra Bonus points for travel in business or first class. Customers can receive free travel after accumulating as little as 30,000 points. Aeroflot Bonus members earn a minimum of 500 Bonus points for each flight. Aeroflot is offering its most loyal customers two elite levels - silver and gold - that provide a variety of benefits such as free upgrades, airport lounge access and special check-in counters.
Unisys CLS allows Aeroflot to easily create multi-activity promotions that offer additional Bonus points when program members use a combination of services provided by Aeroflot partners. Aeroflot is currently negotiating Bonus partnerships with other airlines, hotel and car rental companies around the world, and it plans to make several announcements of enhancements to the program later this year.
"With the Unisys Customer Loyalty System, Aeroflot is delivering a first-rate frequent flyer system that drives customer loyalty and retention and positions the airline for the new world of airline alliances," said Michael McNamara, managing principal, Unisys Worldwide Transportation. "The Aeroflot Bonus program demonstrates how airlines can leverage CLS to easily identify, acknowledge and focus on their most valuable customers, while still providing excellent customer service to all passengers."
Unisys CLS enables airlines to maintain one cost-effective, automated customer loyalty program that is Year 2000-ready. The CLS system features static file maintenance for easy system update and maintenance. Airline agents work through a simple graphical user interface that is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without any scheduled downtime for database updates and system administration.
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Aeroflot-Russian International Airlines
Aeroflot-Russian International Airlines flies to 158 destinations in 93 countries and provides 60 percent of all the international air transport performed by Russian airlines. The company`s fleet consists of 113 airplanes. The fleet continues to be updated. This year 10 Boeing-737-400, two Boeing-777-200, two A-310-300 aircraft and one IL-96T cargo aircraft will be added for Aeroflot`s routes. More than 14,000 people work for the airline. Aeroflot has three domestic hubs in the Russian Federation and 151 representatives globally. In 1997, Aeroflot carried 3.9 million passengers and 92.2 thousand tons of cargo and mail.
Unisys Corporation
Unisys is more than 33,000 employees helping customers in 100 countries apply information technology to solve their business problems. Unisys solutions are based on a broad portfolio of global information services including electronic business, systems integration including custom and "repeatable" application solutions, outsourcing, Microsoft Windows NT services, network services, and multivendor maintenance and support, coupled with enterprise-class servers and associated middleware, software and storage. Repeatable solutions are focused on key vertical markets including financial services, transportation, telecommunications, government, publishing, and other commercial markets. The company is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, in the Greater Philadelphia area. For more information on the company, access the Unisys home page on the World Wide Web at www.unisys.com. Investor information can be found at www.unisys.com/investor.
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