Are frequent fliers facing fewer rewards?
According to Julie Weed, in an article from this week’s New York Times, rewards programs may not be as rewarding as they once were. And many airline passengers are already feeling the difference.
Both United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, two of the largest airlines, have announced that frequent flier points will be based on dollars spent on plane tickets rather than miles flown. This will lower the amount of points fliers receive for each flight significantly, especially for those thrifty consumers who buy the cheapest plane ticket. Other airlines, including American Airlines, are expected to follow suit shortly.
Although the new frequent flier changes begin in 2015, many consumers are already quite frustrated with the current policies. Many have complained that there is not as much value in the frequent flier system these days. Big airlines have slowly chipped away at the things that were once a given for frequent fliers: meals, free bag checks, ample legroom, ability to upgrade, and more. These companies have gotten rid of most of the perks and are now changing the rules significantly. And with the new policy change, the typical flier will get even less.
Source: New York Times
