• Budget-airline Ryanair recently introduced a new paid membership program.
• The ‘Ryanair Prime’ costs approximately $102.27 a year, and provides advanced seat assignment, and access to discounted tickets. 
• The program also provides travel insurance on Ryanair flights.

It’s “prime” time for travelers within Europe. 

Ryanair, a popular low-cost airline that operates service throughout Europe, recently introduced a brand new travel membership program called Ryanair Prime. The program offers discounted tickets, free seat assignment, and travel insurance to passengers who book with the airline. 

The program’s seat reservation benefit allows members to choose their seat; however it is limited to a maximum of 12 seats per year. The airline will email 12 exclusive sales to members, and the travel insurance covers all flights on Ryanair. 

The program costs £79 per year, or approximately $102.27. The airline says that a frequent flyer who takes twelve trips per year would save approximately $543 with the subscription, versus not having the subscription. In order to sign up, travelers visit the Ryanair website or app, and then can immediately use the benefits for future trips.

This paid membership program may be the extent of a frequent flyer program for travelers on Ryanair. The airline’s CEO had previously denounced all frequent-flyer programs in a press interview. 

“Buy a dog if you want some loyalty,” Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said at a press event covered by The Independent. 

Low-cost airlines in the United States also have paid membership programs. For example, Frontier Airlines offers access to its Discount Den for $99.99 in the first year, which provides lower-priced tickets, and free flights for a traveler’s children. 

Spirit Airlines offers a free program, aptly named Free Spirit, which helps travelers earn points when flying that can be redeemed for future flights.  

United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest, and JetBlue all have loyalty programs as well, where travelers earn miles and status for future free flights and benefits.