I honestly wouldn't have thought possible but there is an airline FF program that does care about you as an individual.

As a novice PPS CLUB member of SINGAPORE AIRLINES'S FF LOYALTY PROGRAM, I have been thoroughly impressed at what lengths this airline has gone in terms of PLEASING the customer.

Today's my birthday. About 3 weeks ago, my collegues received a call from a representative from SQ's PPS CLUB enquiring where they can send my "gift" on my birthday. I have totally forgotten all about it since it hadn't arrived prior to today. I thought , oh, probably a card or something like this. But imagine my thorough surprise when a courier delivered a big box (about 2'x1'x0.5') all wrapped up in red SQ wrapping paper. ALong with a card that says "Dear... Wishing you many happy return trips. Signed PPS Loyalty Manager"

In the box is a Balencia Overnight Suiter bag. Okay, it's not Louis Vuitton, but still, I am throughly surprised and touched by the thought that went into it.

As FTers might know about me, I am not exactly a 100% fan of Singapore Airlines, but have acheived PPS status through a set of tickets that were expiring and in turn, I managed to qualify for PPS late last year.

The "Welcome Set" was a box containing two sets of Lugguage Tags, the PPS card, a booklet detailing a list of restaurants, shops and hotels that offer discounts and special promotions upon flashing of the PPS card. In the box too, was a "Welcome Gift" of a silver pen by Caran d'Ache. Again, not a very expensive gift but still something that says "Welcome and we care about your business".

Older PPS members and those who qualify for Solitaire apparently receive gifts ranging from fine wines and champagnes to Wedgewood china, and other name-brand items of quality.

Okay, so I'm easily impressed! When PPS was introduced way back in 1981, I was once of the first people who qualified. In fact I am proud to say that I was the firstperson in North America who qualified for PPS status. Even then I received a lovely leather bound desk writing set, and a pen. Unfortunately my travel plans changed and I never kept up my renewal and soon, I was just a forgotten passenger. But even so, SQ had already made an impression.

Now, many years later, I can still see Singapore Airlines' PPS Club program indeed is like a private club. That members are rewarded for being loyal to the airline, and it's not just your mileage total that counts.

I hope to be a ongoing member of this wonderful airline FF loyalty program.