Airlines giving frequent flyers ‘the middle finger’

[reader]

From CNN 

 

Imagine you’re booking a flight.

For most people, it’s an easy decision: the cheapest fare or the easiest route will be the one to win out. But for many, it’s a different scenario. They’re willing to spend more, fly at awkward times or even make multiple connections to reach their destination — all to earn airline loyalty points.

This is the dance of the frequent flyer program — often a costly dance, but one that reaps benefits in the form of lounge access, free seat selection, priority security and other things that make flying in the crowded 21st century a little more bearable — as long as you spend or fly enough to earn enough points to reach the “elite” tiers of airlines’ loyalty programs.

But with airlines increasingly changing their programs to make it harder to accrue status, has the points bubble burst?

“Earning real value from airline loyalty programs is tougher than ever,” says Kyle Olsen, travel products editor at CNN Underscored.

“Airlines have raised [flight] redemption costs and made rewards less valuable. Higher spending requirements make status harder to achieve. Dynamic pricing means award flights cost more points than before.” This year, three carriers in the Oneworld airline alliance — British Airways, Iberia and Qantas — will change their loyalty schemes. From April, it’ll be harder to achieve status on the first two, while from August, spending loyalty points on Qantas will require a higher spend.

Rob Burgess, editor of “avgeek” website Head for Points, calls it a “downward trend.”

“BA and Iberia are turning their programs into recognition schemes for their biggest spenders rather than loyalty schemes,” he says.

Those Oneworld changes come on the heels of Delta Air Lines, whose much criticized toughening up of their own program made it tougher to acquire status last year. CEO Ed Bastian cited crowded lounges as one reason for the changes. Suddenly the “elites” weren’t feeling so … elite.

So are loyalty programs worth it anymore? And with suggestions that airlines are no longer interested in rewarding the little guys, are there any that still work for the average Joe?

Continues at

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/airline-loyalty-programs-points-2025-changes/index.html

[macaroni21]

I have always seen frequent flyer points as something not far removed from Sri Lankan rupees or Nigerian naira. FF points are ultimately a currency with limited recognition. In the same way that SL rupees /Nigerian naira are only recognised and accepted in Sri Lanka/Nigeria, so FF points are only recognised and accepted by the airline or its alliance. In the same way that non-convertible currencies like tha SL rupee are largely controlled by (sometimes) erratic actions and decisions of a single government or central bank, so the value of FF points are arbitrarily decided by the issuing authority (in this case, the airline).

The only major difference is that accumulating FF points gives the hoarder bragging rights -- "See I am a high-social status person who jets around a lot". Or he gets to enjoy business class on the cheap. But even that is not much different from enjoying a hotel suite in Sri Lanka or Nigeria after paying in rupees or naira.

 

[PeterRS]

Unlike @macaroni21 I have accumulated frequent flier miles ever since registering first with United in the late 1980s, and later due to company regulations on Northwest for trans Pacific. In Asia I joined Cathay Pacific's first programme named Passages introduced around 1990 which was a joint venture with Singapore Airlines and Malaysian. Then later its Asia Miles programme when it became one of the original seven One World carriers in 1999. Since then I have used miles for dozens of long haul freebie biz class trips from Asia to Europe, Australia and South America. Naturally it helped greatly when like me you have to fly regularly on company business in biz class as most of my several million miles resulting from business travel.

As for the CNN report in the OP, British Airways has already changed its loyalty programme to howls of protests from existing top tier members in the media - and as evidenced by the number of websites on the subject. The number of points/miles/spending for free redemption miles and access to perks like lounges has been increased massively - and that is Massively with a capital M. Cathay Pacific is also in One World and I expect it will soon make yet another change to its loyalty programme. Some years ago pre-covid it changed its scheme. Before then I had flown BKK/Tokyo/Taipei/Bangkok for the same number of miles as BKK/Tokyo return. After the change, each sector is priced separately. When I checked the mileage required after the change, for the same route the required mileage was double.

Unlike previous years, this year for the very first time I have finally found obtaining mileage tickets difficult. Some months ago I tried to book on Qatar for a long haul trip involving one change in Doha. I have used this carrier regularly for the same route, sometimes with cash on their regular special offers and several times using Asa Miles. When I gave the operator the entire month of March for a two week absence, no biz seats were available. He suggested calling a week later. I did, and this time extended the period to four months - any two week period between March 1 and June 30. All he could get me was one outward ticket. No return was available. I told him this is nonsense! Qatar have 5 daily flights out of BKK, one of which is an A380. They also have 2 daily flights to my onward destination. That all the mileage seats had already been 'sold' made no sense . . .

. . . unless Qatar has started to do what Qantas did in the 2000s - open your mileage tickets a year in advance only to existing loyalty card members and wait till 5 or 6 months before the flights to make any remaining seats available to other One World carriers. But that's just a guess.

Thankfully my long distance travel is now limited to one flight a year. Looking at a variety of videos on youtube, it seems the best way to obtain free miles in future will be (1) become an American citizen; (2) sign up for a credit card that immediately gives you 50,000+ miles on a certain carrier; (3) do all your spending on that card. But with the credit card and currency conversion charges if used abroad, I wonder: will that amount be worth the free ticket you get? 

I feel so incredibly lucky that I was able to maximise the benefits from initial mileage programmes whilst they lasted.

[floridarob]

24 minutes ago, PeterRS said:

I did, and this time extended the period to four months

You would think they open inventory far out, I've noticed they keep the seats to try to sell them, same with comp upgrades. My comp upgrades are advertised as available up to 96 hrs before a flight. And unless I'm in a tourist market, leaving Cancun for example....I'm usually upgraded 1 day before or at the airport if even at all. Waitlists in the US Domestic market for upgrades is sometimes half the plane. Same thing with business class award seats, if you can book last minute or a week or so before, there seems to be more options available besides Ethiopian Airlines 🙄

[a-447]

"When I gave the operator the entire month of March for a two week absence, no biz seats were available. He suggested calling a week later. I did, and this time extended the period to four months - any two week period between March 1 and June 30. All he could get me was one outward ticket. No return was available. I told him this is nonsense! Qatar have 5 daily flights out of BKK, one of which is an A380. They also have 2 daily flights to my onward destination. That all the mileage seats had already been 'sold' made no sense . . ."

I've accumulated close to 1,000,000 Qantas points - I've earned my points mainly from using my credit card - but find it impossible to use them. 

Either no seats are available, or I can only use them one -way, meaning I have to buy the other leg of the journey at an inflated price.

I wouldn't fly Qantas in a fit, but would like to use the points on partner airlines.

It has become a bit of a scam.

[PeterRS]

3 minutes ago, a-447 said:

Either no seats are available, or I can only use them one -way, meaning I have to buy the other leg of the journey at an inflated price.I wouldn't fly Qantas in a fit, but would like to use the points on partner airlines.

It has become a bit of a scam.

The only advice I'd offer is get rid of them fast! Although it's not quite the same situation, I had a Sydney-based friend who had to fly virtually weekly between Sydney and Melbourne. He preferred Ansett and had accumulated around 330,000 miles. Then in 2002 the airline went bust and with it the frequent flyer programme. He lost all his miles.

[TMax]

Frequent flyer points is my only gripe with Singapore Airlines, had a nice little bundle of them then one day when I tried to check what was there and if I could use them some idiot had deleted my Krisflyer account and SIA wouldn't (or couldn't) reinstate it. Since then, even though I joined the Thai Airways programme I only ever used it to collect points once and have never bothered with it since.

[reader]

18 minutes ago, TMax said:

Frequent flyer points is my only gripe with Singapore Airlines, had a nice little bundle of them then one day when I tried to check what was there and if I could use them some idiot had deleted my Krisflyer account and SIA wouldn't (or couldn't) reinstate it. Since then, even though I joined the Thai Airways programme I only ever used it to collect points once and have never bothered with it since.

I used accumulated Singapore miles for a one-way ticket last year because they were close to expiring but had to buy return on another carrier. Very difficult now to find seats using miles to SE Asia from North America.  My approach now is to fly carrier that offers one-stop connection at best price regardless of awards program.

[Keithambrose]

18 minutes ago, TMax said:

Frequent flyer points is my only gripe with Singapore Airlines, had a nice little bundle of them then one day when I tried to check what was there and if I could use them some idiot had deleted my Krisflyer account and SIA wouldn't (or couldn't) reinstate it. Since then, even though I joined the Thai Airways programme I only ever used it to collect points once and have never bothered with it since.

I'm a bit like PeterRS, accumulated millions of miles, almost all from business.  I use mostly BA, as I am based in London.  I became lifetime gold, which is very useful for lounges, and additional access to seats. I still have a lot of Miles, as I also acquire them with credit cards, and promotions.  I use them fairly easily for European flights, where I can normally find flights. I am using miles to go to Rome and Prague  shortly.  BA have an option to pay more, and reduce the miles needed, which can work well. I also get a companion voucher with my Amex card, if i spend enough,which I can use to halve the miles needed. I am going to Sydney  on business  using that. I am not forgetting  the additional taxes, etc, you pay on top, which are substantial on the long haul flights.

 

It is very true that redemptions have gone up, a lot of long haul destinations are very difficult.  I got my Sydney  seat 11 months in advance. I did use miles for my last trip to Bangkok. There are almost  no seats in biz to Bangkok,  right up to next February! USA can be OK, NY and Chicago  usually  have a good selection.  Strangely, there are quie avfew seats in August!. The site run by Rob Burgess, referred to above, has useful tips on how to use your BA miles on other One World airlines. 6 of my last 8 flights used miles, so I find them useful.

[vaughn]

I've given up on airline status, i will pick the best airline for the route and my timing then transfer out the points to whichever hotel group they partner with. e.g. Qantas points to Accor.

I probably lose some of the points value because the value in the exchange seems a bit low, but at least i can regularly book rooms with my points unlike award flights that are more and more scarce. 

[unicorn]

Well, at least with American Airlines, status has limited benefits. Gold status gets you free checked luggage, shorter check-in lines, the ability to sit near the front of the main cabin for no extra fee, and boarding group 4 (out of 8). Essentially no chance for free upgrades. Platinum also gets Main Cabin Extra for no extra charge, including seats in the exit row. MCE also get free drinks (and one can get several, if one wishes, on longer flights), and boarding group 3. Very little chance for free upgrades. You also get OneWorld Sapphire status, which gets you in some foreign business lounges even when you travel in the Main Cabin. Platinum Pro gets you OneWorld Emerald status, which lets you into foreign (not AA) First Class lounges even when traveling in the Main Cabin abroad, and boarding group 2. It holds a small but decent chance for free upgrades on North American routes (usually on less-traveled routes). Executive Platinum gets you in boarding group 1 (with First Class passengers), some systemwide upgrades which can sometimes but not commonly actually be used, and some free cold food if traveling in the Main Cabin (for example, a fruit & cheese plate, or a charcuterie plate). EP status has the best chance for complimentary upgrades within North America, as long as you don't pay the Basic Economy fare (if you pay basic economy, no chance for the free upgrade, but you still get the exit row seats, cold food, and free drinks). 

I've had EP status for years on AA, and feel happy if they still have a fruit & cheese plate by the time they get to the exit row. I do sometimes get upgraded to first class. On my last trip to Miami earlier this month, I flew from LAX to MIA, then MIA to DFW to BUR (Burbank, much more convenient to our house). I got upgraded only for the DFW to BUR segment. As for systemwide upgrades, I was once able to use it last year when we went to our honeymoon in the Galapagos, but only on our way back, from Quito to Miami, and last-minute from MIA to LAX (and we had to take the 6 AM flight out of Quito, not the afternoon flight). No other success with this, although I've requested this for an upcoming trip to Belgium in a month or so, and we'll see if I get it (though this would be for Business upgrade to First). At least with AA, using miles to upgrade from Premium Economy to Business is a thing of the past. They'll put you on a waiting list, but you really have to be willing to roll the dice (and be content with flying Premium Economy on a long-haul flight if unsuccessful). 

I have been able to use miles to get free tickets, even long-haul business tickets, but they charge hundreds of thousands of miles, and you won't get credit in either miles or towards Million Miler status (lifetime Gold). (I do have Million Miler status, but am working towards 2 Million Miler status, which is lifetime Platinum). There is a special tier called Concierge Key, the status of which goes mainly to people who influence which airline a company uses (such as the CEO of a large corporation, or travel planner for a large company), and can perhaps also be earned by spending over $50,000 a year on the airline. They get real benefits including transfers on the tarmac from one flight to another, free use of not only Admirals Lounges, but also Flagship First lounges, and so on. 

https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airlines/american-airlines-conciergekey/

"...ConciergeKey is primarily meant for the primary decision makers for large corporate travel accounts or influencers who American feels can get more people to fly on their planes. In addition, those who hit very high spending levels on travel may be offered ConciergeKey, but it’s worth noting that the amount you need varies. Again, nobody fully knows the exact criteria for getting invited to ConciergeKey...". 

[PeterRS]

4 hours ago, vaughn said:

I've given up on airline status, i will pick the best airline for the route and my timing then transfer out the points to whichever hotel group they partner with. e.g. Qantas points to Accor.

I probably lose some of the points value because the value in the exchange seems a bit low, but at least i can regularly book rooms with my points unlike award flights that are more and more scarce. 

Isn't the problem with hotel points that, like airline miles, they just keep going up? I recently posted esewhere about a 5 day stay at the Marriott on Phu Quoc back in 2019. Using points for 4 days a that time gave you a 5th day free. Now that fifth day has disappeared. Were I to try and book that exact same hotel, it would cost me in excess of 100^% more in terms of hotel points.

8 minutes ago, unicorn said:

I do have Million Miler status, but am working towards 2 Million Miler status, which is lifetime Platinum

I tried that on Cathay Pacific in the 1990s. They started a scheme with lifetime Marco Polo Club membership with access to first class lounges etc. for 2 million lifetime miles flown. By 1999 I was up to around 1.7 million. Then CX joined One World and cancelled the 2 million miles plan!

[PeterRS]

Just an extra quickie. When I complained to CX about getting nothing for all the money i had spent on the carrier to try to reach 2 million miles, I got the usual guff about no guarantees etc. But then someone told me it was all to do with joining One World. With CX having only one hub, all its 2 million milers would be entitled to reciprocal benefits on the 6 other original carriers - and most of them had objected. WIll your 2 million Platinum miles benefits entitle you to benefits across all One World carriers?

[paulsf]

I’m a 5 million miler with American.  I have lifetime Executive Platinum status.  Yes, this status carries across all One World carries.   You don’t get every benefit, but most.    All my trips to Bangkok from the US are on Japan, Cathay, or Qatar.   All 3 of these recognize my status.  In irregular ops situations I go to the head of the line.   I get to use all the First Class lounges.  And on occasion get operational upgrades.   Because my status is lifetime, I don’t need to fly One World to retain it, but it serves me well.   

[vaughn]

19 hours ago, PeterRS said:

Isn't the problem with hotel points that, like airline miles, they just keep going up? I recently posted esewhere about a 5 day stay at the Marriott on Phu Quoc back in 2019. Using points for 4 days a that time gave you a 5th day free. Now that fifth day has disappeared. Were I to try and book that exact same hotel, it would cost me in excess of 100^% more in terms of hotel points.

yeah points value has been steadily decreasing, all part of the design to get people to use them and not have it burning a hole in their balance sheet

I try not to worry about it too much, if i can subsidise a stay by using half points half cash or sometimes a full points, then i feel like i'm still better off than i was. Holding onto points seems to me like a waste, like cash in the bank slowly being eaten away by inflation.

[unicorn]

10 hours ago, paulsf said:

I’m a 5 million miler with American.  I have lifetime Executive Platinum status.  Yes, this status carries across all One World carries.   You don’t get every benefit, but most.    All my trips to Bangkok from the US are on Japan, Cathay, or Qatar.   All 3 of these recognize my status.  In irregular ops situations I go to the head of the line.   I get to use all the First Class lounges.  And on occasion get operational upgrades.   Because my status is lifetime, I don’t need to fly One World to retain it, but it serves me well.   

Not quite all the first class lounges. American Airlines' Flagship First lounges are just for Concierge Key, certain first-class fliers, a very small subset of business class passengers, and business class passengers who purchase AA's "Five Star Select Service" (which costs $650 per trip). 

[Keithambrose]

10 hours ago, paulsf said:

I’m a 5 million miler with American.  I have lifetime Executive Platinum status.  Yes, this status carries across all One World carries.   You don’t get every benefit, but most.    All my trips to Bangkok from the US are on Japan, Cathay, or Qatar.   All 3 of these recognize my status.  In irregular ops situations I go to the head of the line.   I get to use all the First Class lounges.  And on occasion get operational upgrades.   Because my status is lifetime, I don’t need to fly One World to retain it, but it serves me well.   

My Gold for life status with BA, is Emerald with other One World Airlines. I get access to Most First Class lounges, of airlines  in One World,  so long as am using a One World Airline,  even if i am flying in Economy, including American Flagship Lounges. There is free seat selection,  boarding in Group 1. I also get addional Avios seats made available. Which is useful,  though it doesn't help with Australia,  or Bangkok.