Cedar Rapids airport begins rewards program

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Eastern Iowa Airport is launching a rewards program in the wake of a change of management for its parking lot.

Republic Parking System of Chattanooga, Tenn., which was awarded a five-year contract in May by the Cedar Rapids Airport Commission, has joined forces with the airport and Thanks Again LLC of Tyrone, Ga., to offer a customer loyalty program.

Travelers will be able to earn frequent flyer miles and other rewards when they park, shop and dine at the airport.

Travelers can register any credit or debit card at www.ThanksAgain.com/CID and earn 1 mile for every dollar spent while parking, shopping and dining at The Eastern Iowa Airport and 170 airports and 25,000 local businesses in the United States and Canada. Enrollment  is free.

"We are always looking for ways to make travelers experiences at the Eastern Iowa Airport even better," Airport Director Tim Bradshaw said  in a statement. "This program is a wonderful addition to our services and provides benefits to travelers for purchases they are already making."

Each qualifying purchase counts toward special bonuses under the nationwide Thanks Again Traveler Loyalty Program.  Members have the opportunity to earn up to 25,000 bonus miles every 90 days based on cumulative registered card purchases.

The Thanks Again program also is offered at the Des Moines International Airport and the Quad City International Airport in Moline, Ill. Thanks Again has the largest local merchant base in North America in which rewards can be redeemed.

The airport commission's decision to award a contract to Republic Parking System ended 18 years of management by Ampco of Cleveland, Ohio, on June 30.

Republic Parking also has a five-year contract, awarded in August 2009, to manage the downtown Cedar Rapids parking system.  The company manages the parking ramps, surface parking lots and skywalks.