American's obsession with their pets has led more airlines to embrace dogs and cats onboard their planes. While most major airlines now allow pets, some airlines are real standouts - offering special pet programs and frequent flier miles for furry travelers.
Midwest Airlines was the first airline to offer a true frequent flier program for pets, where the pets actually can earn the free trips! Under their program, frequent flying pets can earn free travel when accompanied by their owner. Both in-cabin and below-cabin accommodations are available for pets. Pets can fly free two different ways: (1) Free Trips for Travel - For every three paid pet roundtrips (or 6 paid one-way trips) made with their owner, pets earn one free roundtrip; (2) Midwest Miles Award Travel - Midwest Miles members can redeem miles for their pets' travel - 20,000 Midwest Miles for one roundtrip!
Midwest is arguably the most pet friendly airline; they even allow certain dogs to sit in the same seats as humans! Within the past year, Midwest started to allow select "celebrity" dogs that appear in competitions, shows or advertisements to sit in seats. The regular in-cabin pet fee is $125 each way.
Continental Airlines' rewards its human travelers when their pets fly. Continental's PetPass program offers members of OnePass, its frequent flier program, one OnePass mile for every dollar spent when transporting a pet using Continental's acclaimed PetSafe service, a special cargo option. Continental's PetSafe program allows pets that previously traveled as checked baggage to experience certain safeguards when they travel as cargo, keeping them safe and their owners reassured.
Highlights of the program include a dedicated 24-hour staffed animal hotline, online tracking of pets' travel, and personal handling of pet travelers in climate-controlled vehicles for connections over Continental's hubs. In addition, Continental operates the only on-airport kennel managed by an airline in the United States at its Houston Bush Intercontinental cargo facility. Open 24/7, this kennel provides 1,100 square feet of space for runs and exercise pens. It also provides the ability to contain separate species in separate rooms. With this facility, Continental also provides grooming, on-site servicing (or day kenneling) and overnight kenneling. This is a great way for pets to be more comfortable while they're making their connection - they can spend their layover time running, sleeping or getting groomed at Continental's special kennel facility! The cost of the PetSafe service varies per pet. In-cabin accommodations are also available for a cost of $125 each way.
JetPaws is JetBlue's exclusive pet program. It provides pet travelers and their humans with tips, tools, and perks to help ensure a smooth trip. Members of JetBlue's frequent flier program, TrueBlue, can earn two TrueBlue points each way when traveling with their pet. JetPaws also offers pet travelers pet etiquette tips, a welcome email with helpful travel tips, and an e-booklet that includes the whats, wheres, whens and hows of jetting with your pet. They also carry a JetPaws pet travel kit and other custom pet travel products. In-cabin pet accommodations only are available at JetBlue. The cost is $100 each way.
Southwest is worth a notable mention as they are the most recent major airline to allow pets onboard. Although they don't offer a frequent flier program for pets, their rates are very pet friendly. In-cabin pet fees are only $75 each way - making them the low cost winner. Plus, their reputation for excellence in customer service makes them a favorite pet friendly airline option.
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Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of TRIPSwithPETS.com. She founded the pet travel site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Her popular pet travel site features pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the United States, along with other helpful pet travel resources. Her mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy,and safe in their travels.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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