How far will the Olympic medalists’ PAL ‘miles’ go?

The four Filipino athletes who won the medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics were given free flights in the form of “miles” by flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL).

But, what are these "miles" and how far can they go?

PAL awards their frequent fliers for each time they fly with the airline in the form of “Mabuhay miles,” which are earned based on the flight distance and service class — economy, premium economy, business, et cetera.

Miles earned can be redeemed as well on the basis of flight distance and service class.

PAL awarded the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz with 80,000 Mabuhay miles per year for life, making her the flag carrier’s first “Forever Flyer.”

The 80,000 miles awarded to the weightlifting champ can be redeemed as:

• five roundtrip domestic flights or 
• two roundtrip regional flights or 
• one roundtrip international (Trans-Pacific) flight

Filipina boxer and Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio was also added to PAL’s “Forever Flyer” program with 60,000 Mabuhay miles per year, for life, which are equivalent to:

• four roundtrip domestic flights or
• two roundtrip regional flights or
• one roundtrip flight to Australia, Middle East or Honolulu

Bronze medalist Eumir Marcial is also given 40,000 Mabuhay miles per year, for life. The 40,000 miles can be redeemed as:

• two roundtrip domestic flights or
• one regional roundtrip flight

Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam is also set to receive 60,000 Mabuhay miles per year, for life, equivalent to:

• four roundtrip domestic flights or 
• two roundtrip regional flights or 
• one roundtrip flight to either Australia, Middle East, or Honolulu

Apart from PAL, the Olympic medalists were also given free flights from AirAsia Philippines and Cebu Pacific. —KG, GMA News