Giving New Meaning to ‘Airline Food’

Would you like some frequent-flier miles with those groceries?

In what United Airlines claims is a first, it has allied with Safeway nationwide to give 125 frequent-flier miles for every $250 worth of purchases made at Safeway stores and other outlets owned by the chain. The program began this month at Safeway and Dominick’s stores and starts March 15 at Vons and Pavilions, said United spokesman Ken Ebenhoch. In all, nearly 1,300 U.S. stores are included.

To participate, you need to belong to the airline’s frequent-flier club and the store’s frequent-customer program and complete an enrollment application form. The miles will be automatically posted based on purchases made with the grocery card. Some items, such as tobacco and drug prescriptions, are excluded.