If private rides already appear regularly in your travel plans, each booking can contribute to something beyond that single trip. Qualifying spend can earn points, while repeat rides can move your Alba account toward higher membership levels with additional benefits.
TravelThru builds that repeat-traveler value into Alba Loyalty. The program combines free membership, points on qualifying activity, trip-based status tiers, and separate paid VIP packages for travelers who want additional airport and support benefits.
Alba Starts With Free Membership
Base membership is free to join. Once enrolled, members can earn 10 points for every $1 spent on qualifying charges under the Alba program rules.
That gives occasional and frequent riders the same low-commitment starting point. You do not need to buy a VIP package to begin earning eligible points or building the trip activity that can lead to higher membership status.
Alba members also receive access to the Alba A-list community, which includes travel news, vouchers, discounts, and travel inspiration. The loyalty account therefore adds a continuing relationship with TravelThru between qualifying rides as well as during them.
Frequent Trips Unlock Higher Membership Levels
Alba uses annual trip activity to determine progression beyond Base status. The current thresholds are:
- Titanium: 12 separate trips or 6 return trips per year
- Gold: 30 separate trips or 15 return trips per year
- Platinum: 60 separate trips or 30 return trips per year
The higher tiers also add defined rewards. Titanium members receive a 5% discount on qualifying charges and 10% bonus points, Gold members receive a 10% discount and 15% bonus points, and Platinum members receive a 15% discount and 20% bonus points.
That gives frequent riders two forms of progression. More qualifying travel can move the account into a higher tier while increasing the rewards attached to future qualifying activity.
Points Turn Qualifying Spend Into Ongoing Value
Alba awards 10 base points for every $1 spent on qualifying charges. The higher membership levels keep that base earning rate and add their respective bonus-point percentages.
Qualification depends on how the ride is booked and paid. Third-party travel channels, certain group rates, organized-tour packages, complimentary rides, and bookings using third-party awards are among the categories that can fall outside point earning and elite ride credit.
For travelers who want Alba benefits to accumulate, the booking route therefore deserves attention. Eligible TravelThru activity can contribute to both the points balance and membership progression instead of leaving repeated transportation spending outside the loyalty program.
Standard Alba Membership and VIP Packages Work Differently
Alba’s free membership tiers and its paid VIP packages sit within the same program, but they solve different travel needs.
| Alba Route | Cost Structure | How It Works | Main Confirmed Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Alba membership | Free Base registration | Earn qualifying points and progress through trip thresholds | Points, tier discounts, bonus points, and Alba A-list access |
| VIP packages | Paid annual package | Choose a package based on the included travel benefits | Meet & Greet, VIP support, lounge access, upgrades, and package-specific extras |
You can therefore join Alba and work toward Titanium, Gold, or Platinum without buying a VIP package. The paid packages become a separate decision for travelers who expect to use their airport and support benefits often enough to justify an annual fee.
That makes Alba easier to assess around actual travel behavior. Ride frequency determines the value of membership progression, while the services you use around airports determine whether a VIP package deserves consideration.
Basic Adds Airport and Support Benefits
The current Basic VIP package costs $499 per year. Its published benefits include complimentary Meet & Greet, one-to-one VIP support, an exclusive travel newsletter, airport lounge access up to 10 times per year, and a one-tier complimentary vehicle upgrade subject to availability.
Basic can suit a traveler who wants recurring airport benefits without paying for unlimited lounge access. Someone taking several airport trips during the year can compare the package against how often Meet & Greet, lounge visits, and dedicated support would realistically be used.
The vehicle upgrade is availability-based, so it works as an additional benefit rather than something to build every trip around.
Advanced Makes Lounge Access Unlimited
The current Advanced package is $699 per year. It includes the published Meet & Greet, one-to-one VIP support, exclusive newsletter, and availability-based one-tier vehicle upgrade found in Basic, while increasing airport lounge access from 10 visits per year to unlimited access.
That creates a straightforward decision point between the first two packages. A traveler who expects to exceed Basic’s lounge allowance can weigh the $200 annual price difference against the additional lounge access.
Advanced does not replace Alba membership progression. Your points and qualifying trip activity remain part of the loyalty structure, while the annual package adds its own defined benefits.
Ultimate Adds Fast-Track Service
The current Ultimate package costs $999 per year. It carries the published Advanced benefits and adds fast-track service five times per year.
That makes Ultimate the option with the broadest current VIP benefit set. It combines unlimited airport lounge access with complimentary Meet & Greet, one-to-one VIP support, the newsletter, an availability-based one-tier vehicle upgrade, and the annual fast-track allowance.
For a frequent airport traveler, the decision comes down to likely use. The higher annual price has a stronger commercial case when the added fast-track benefit and other included services fit trips you already expect to take.
Choose Between Membership Progress and VIP Benefits
A traveler taking a smaller number of private rides can start with free Base membership and collect points on qualifying activity. As those rides become more frequent, Titanium, Gold, and Platinum add progressively larger discounts and bonus-point rates.
VIP packages address another part of the travel experience. Basic, Advanced, and Ultimate add airport and support benefits according to the package selected, so paying for one makes the most sense when those specific inclusions match how you travel.
You may also find value in both sides of Alba. Frequent qualifying rides can build tier status, while a VIP package can add services you expect to use around repeated airport travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TravelThru Alba Loyalty free to join?
Yes. TravelThru offers free Base registration for Alba Loyalty. Members can then earn points on qualifying charges and progress toward Titanium, Gold, and Platinum through eligible trip activity.
How many points does TravelThru Alba award per dollar?
TravelThru awards 10 base Alba points for every $1 spent on qualifying charges. TravelThru also gives Titanium, Gold, and Platinum members bonus points at their respective tier rates.
What benefits come with TravelThru Alba membership tiers?
TravelThru adds discounts and bonus points above Base membership. Titanium currently receives a 5% discount on qualifying charges and 10% bonus points, Gold receives 10% and 15%, and Platinum receives 15% and 20%.
Are TravelThru VIP packages included with normal Alba membership?
No. TravelThru’s standard Alba membership begins with free Base registration, while Basic, Advanced, and Ultimate are separate paid annual packages. You can participate in TravelThru Alba without purchasing a VIP package.
Does every TravelThru booking earn Alba points?
No. TravelThru awards Alba points on qualifying activity, and some third-party, group-rate, package, complimentary, and award bookings are excluded. Eligible activity needs to meet the current Alba program rules to earn points and relevant trip credit.
Make Repeat Travel Work Harder
Alba gives frequent TravelThru riders two ways to get additional value from travel they already expect to book. Qualifying rides can build points and progressively stronger membership benefits, while the paid VIP packages add defined airport and support services for travelers who will use them regularly.
Compare the Alba Loyalty options and choose the path that fits how often and how you travel.
