AirAsia, a low-cost carrier in Malaysia, has launched a new loyalty program called BIG. Members, called “BIG Shots”, who join the program can earn “Biggie” points, which can be redeemed for award flights, vouchers, hotel stays, vacation packages, AirAsia vouchers or merchandise. Flights on AirAsia earn one Biggie per MYR4 spent on the base fare, one Biggie per MYR2 with a flight and at least one add-on like an in-flight meal or pre-booked baggage and one Biggie per MYR1 spent on AirAsia flights with premium seats. AirAsia flights purchased on a corporate/government account also earn one Biggie per MYR1. In Malaysia, the BIG membership card doubles as a BIG Visa Prepaid card, which cardholders can reload at major banks or online to earn one Biggie for each MYR2 spent and these Biggies are on top of any they would earn when spending with BIG partners. BIG Visa prepaid cards are planned for other countries including Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore. The cards can be used anywhere Visa is accepted.

Members can also earn one Biggie per MYR2 spent on shopping, entertainment, travel and courier services with partners including the Tune Group of Companies, Indosat in Indonesia and CentralWorld in Thailand. The online BIG shop features over 1,000 merchants.

Flight redemptions will vary just as regular fares do and members can combine Biggies and cash when booking an award flight. The membership fee for BIG is RM10. Over 65,000 members joined within a month of the soft launch from more than 100 countries and AirAsia expects to have one million members by mid-2012. For more information, visit http://www.tune2big.com and look for promotions on Facebook and Twitter.