United cuts back on frequent flier rewards

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

CHICAGO, May 16 (UPI) -- United Airlines is cutting back on its frequent flier program starting in July, the company announced Friday.

As of July, passengers flying from Chicago to Detroit will no longer earn 500 miles for frequent flier credits, the Chicago Tribune reported.

By eliminating its minimum reward of 500 miles and switching to a per mile system, passengers making the Chicago to Detroit hop will receive 234 miles one way.

The minimum reward had been in place more than 25 years, the Tribune reported.

"There's a profusion of miles out there; it's like funny money," aviation consultant Robert Mann told the newspaper.

Skyrocketing jet fuel costs are forcing airlines to push back perks and add to various fees. United recently added a $25 service fee for some passengers checking a second bag, the report said.

But, an airline spokeswoman said the change in the frequent flier program was implemented to reduce the 511 billion unused miles in the carrier's Mileage Plus program.


2008 United Press International

[stasik Member Find all posts View Profile Close stasik]

US Scare did the same thing not too long ago. Its actually quite ironic. They sell the miles to any company that wants them so they end up with a huge liability on their books. Then they cut back on FF availability so you can't use them for flights. So folks are sitting out there with balances that they can't use.

Now the airlines expire the miles (first after three years and now 18 months). But that doesn't do the job of getting rid of the liability so so they are offering fewer miles.

I have a truckload of miles that I haven't used and now it looks like I better think about some flights. The next thing they do will be to expire the miles if you haven't taken a flight in 18 months. Right now you can keep them alive by having any activity in your account.

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

Yeah, great news. I remember when each leg was worth a minimum of 750 points on some airlines - but that was long ago.

BTW, as long as you have miles going into your account from any source, your miles refresh the expiration calendar. For instance, buy some flowers from a partner and you get miles, and an extension on the miles in your account.

Sue

[camachinist Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close camachinist]

Next cut will likely be rewarding fewer RDM's/EQM's for lower priced fare classes. This is being discussed on Flyertalk. I would guess this will be in place by the same time next year.

For most travelers, this won't be a real issue.

The Double EQM promo is on until 6/15, for anyone who wants to load up on elite miles prior to the change

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

In the days of PSA I remember that all flights were a credited a minimum of 500 miles. Then, for a long time there were double miles for flights between any LA airport and any San Franscisco area airport. IIRC - free tickets were 15,000 miles.

[stasik Member Find all posts View Profile Close stasik]

BTW, as long as you have miles going into your account from any source, your miles refresh the expiration calendar. For instance, buy some flowers from a partner and you get miles, and an extension on the miles in your account.

Sue

Indeed, buying a used book through their affiliates costs me about $5 but keeps my miles alive. And I even get a book out of it!

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

I had my miles figured out for the year. Had flights booked that would make me 1P again by the skin of my teeth. With this change, I'm going to be 2400 miles short!

Pat, I got a nice MR in for the DEQM. ABE-IAD-SFO-ANC-ORD-IAD-ABE= 17,746 DEQM for $456.