A quick question for you all...

Which programmes issue a plastic membership card upon enrollment instead of after a certain number of miles or flights have been taken?

Regards,

Barella

AA give a flimsy plastic card.
UA give a rigid plastic card, just like a credit card.
CO used to give a flimsy card a few years ago.
I've take a couple of flights with air indy but have yet to receive any sort of card.

The WorldPerks card I got from NW 15 years ago is creditcard-like plastic. Not sure if the newer ones are the same now.

When you reach elite status, the airlines send you a rigid card with expiration date printed on it. When happens when you lose your status? Do they send you a new "no status" card?

I lost my status on AA & DL early this year and never got a new card for non-elite status.

If you nicely request a replacement card the airlines will issue it once your privileged card expires.

Many offer a computer printed temporary card now until you actually fly with them. The hotel chains also do it this way. Why spend money on someone who has yet to use your services.

Alaska, Midwest sent cards before actual use to me.

DL issues real plastic

I know you are asking your question based on airlines, but thought I would post here anyway...

Holiday Inn Group sends you a credit card like plastic card, for all members, "regular," "gold" & "plat"

If you purchase Ambassador membership ($150/annually) they send you a nice metal tag, very nice imo.

Hope this helps

Ric

Actually, I was interested in any sort of loyalty scheme, so thanks for kicking off the hotel list RCC

Sofitel sent me a card just for signing up. I was planning a few stays with them so I signed up, but then my plans changed.

And I'm pretty sure Independence Air doesn't have a physical card at all. The closest would be if you printed out something from the webpage.

ive gotten a plastic card from Marriott rewards just for enrolling

I got my card from them this week - flimsy paper stock type. The kind that peels off the letter it comes attached to.

HHonors sends a medium-grade plastic card even to their new enrollees. ^

Starwood also sends a nice colorful card for base members.

I find my newer Gold SPG card kind of flimsy compared to my old base member SPG card. But there is something to be said for flimsy plastic or even temporary paper FF cards--they fit in my wallet better. I often prefer to carry these paper temps unless I'm going to need the "swipeability" (for example for the magnetic strip on the AA card that allows me to get AA miles at a JL kiosk check-in) of a full-thickness card.

My experiences:

UA: Plastic (w/o mag stripe), no flights required
DL: Plastic (w/ mag stripe), 1 flight required (4-6 week wait as is typical)
AA: Flimsy plastic (w/o mag stripe), mileage activity required (not necessarily a flight--mine are all from cereal coupons)

I have FF accounts also with US Air, Southwest, Northwest, and Continental (most with little or no active miles). These all just do the temporary paper cards and require a flight before issuing a "real" card.

As for hotels:

Marriott: Plastic card (w/o mag stripe), no stay required
Hilton HHonors: Plastic card (w/o mag stripe), no stay required
Six Continents: Plastic card (w/ mag stripe), no stay required
Radisson: Plastic card (w/ mag stripe), no stay required

Wyndham does require a stay, but as they STILL haven't sent my card (for an April '04 stay) and have even deactivated my account online, I can't say what their card is like. My SPG card is "in the mail" and didn't require a stay. Not sure about Choice Hotels as I've never stayed there and only recently signed up for their program.