Years ago, I enrolled in multiple frequent flyer programs with the hope that I would accrue enough miles to earn free flights. Nearly two decades later, I’ve scored roughly eight round-trip tickets at no charge thanks solely to miles earned by flying. Not by staying at select hotels, purchasing meals at participating restaurants, or sending flowers to loved ones using a company affiliated with an airline’s loyalty program.
I prefer to earn miles the old-fashioned way: by flying.
There has been a growing trend among frequent flyer programs to reward travelers with miles if they patronize companies affiliated with an airline’s loyalty club.
Personally, I am opposed to this practice. If you are going to call it a frequent flyer program, then reward people based on… oh, I don’t know… flying!
If that weren’t enough some airlines, such as Southwest recently switched its loyalty program to one that awards points based on the fare a passenger pays rather than giving a credit for each flight. Likewise, Virgin America and JetBlue are rewarding travelers with points based on dollars spent rather than miles flown.
Fortunately, United, Delta, American and US Airways are continuing to maintain the integrity of their frequent flyer programs which allows travelers to earn their way to a free trip based on the distance they fly. Sadly, though, some insiders predict it’s just a matter of time before the aforementioned carriers begin awarding miles based on ticket price rather than distance traveled.
By changing the system, the airlines basically reward passengers who pay more for their seats. For example, if you pay the highest advertised price for a ticket or you travel first-class for the bulk of your trips, then you’d earn more miles or points than a person who pays the cheapest fare.
Does that sound fair to you?