In the air and on the ground, VIP treatment isn’t just for large companies anymore.

By Julie Moline

For years, airlines have rewarded large corporations with discounted fares. But these are firms with tremendous purchasing power, and they can easily trade market share for discounts. How can small businesses possibly compete with that kind of clout?

Surprisingly, the answer is simply by asking. Several major airlines and car rental companies offer special purchasing programs for small companies and reward modest spending with all sorts of freebies and/or discounts.

AirTran Airways’ program, A2B, treats members to free upgrades from coach to business class, nixes the required Saturday night stay on discounted fares, refunds fares on cancellations made up to one hour prior to departure, and gives program members first choice of available seat assignments in all classes. Most A2B tickets can be changed without a fee. See www.airtran.com.

Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air offers the EasyBiz corporate online booking program for companies that spend $5,000 or more on airfare in a 15-month period. Enrolled companies earn Mileage Plan miles every time they purchase tickets through EasyBiz. (Travelers continue to earn regular flight miles in their individual Mileage Plan accounts.) There are no transaction fees on online bookings, and companies earn two miles for every dollar spent on the base-fare portion of tickets. The mileage may then be redeemed for free travel on Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air or affiliated Mileage Plan partners. See www.easybiz.alaskaair.com.  

American Airlines’ Business ExtrAA program gives participating companies credit toward points every time employees use the Business ExtrAA account number when they purchase qualifying tickets on American Airlines, AmericanConnection and American Eagle. (Employees earn AAdvantage miles in addition to the Business ExtrAA points the company can accrue.) Points for travel awards are transferable; award options include free travel and entrance to Admirals Club lounges. See www.businessextraa.com.

Continental Airlines offers RewardOne, which allots travel rewards based on points accumulated whenever employees fly Continental. Travelers can choose from thousands of hotels, rental cars and flights. The RewardOne program is available for companies in Canada, Latin America and the United States with at least five employees. See www.rewardone.continental.com.

Northwest Airlines’ Biz Perks rewards companies that book business travel on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Northwest Airlines and their alliance partners. Award points can be redeemed for free tickets, upgrades to first class, passes to airport WorldClubs and beverage coupons. Small and midsize businesses with valid federal tax IDs are eligible, although companies with a Northwest/KLM Preferred Carrier Agreement or that exceed $400,000 annually in air travel on Northwest/KLM are not. See www.nwa.com.

Many car rental programs also offer the same kinds of benefits usually reserved for larger companies:

Alamo Rent a Car’s Small Business Benefits program includes a 25 percent discount on regular business rates.

The Avis Corporate Awards Program offers special rates, access to a members-only website, a central billing option and the ability to earn free rental days.

At Budget Rent a Car, the Budget Business Program offers corporate rates with unlimited mileage; if a lower rate is available, a discount of up to 10 percent off the promotional rate is offered.

Hertz’s Business Account Program offers free membership in the Hertz #1 Club Gold and a free rental day each time you accumulate 15 rental credits.

National Car Rental’s Business Partner Program includes a complimentary Emerald Club membership, 24-hour roadside assistance and travel coupons.

Julie Moline is a freelance writer, editor and editorial consultant in New York City.