Frequent-flier programs fascinate, frustrate
NEW YORK – They lure millions of travelers each year with the promise of free vacations, first-class upgrades and a chance to cut the security line. But are frequent-flier programs really worthwhile?
Miles programs sound simple enough. Passengers typically earn one mile or point for every mile flown. Those miles can be redeemed for free trips, usually starting at 25,000 miles for a domestic, round-trip flight.
Loyalists say not participating is like leaving free money on the table. Free flights are the most obvious perk. Miles can also be traded in for things like magazine subscriptions.
Others argue the programs are difficult to maintain and aren’t of much value to travelers who fly only once or twice a year. And they say there’s no guarantee of getting the flight you want.
It’s been 30 years since the first frequent-flier program was created. Today, airlines make more than $4 billion a year combined from program partnerships – topping the reported revenue from baggage fees. There are an estimated 90 million U.S. frequent-flier members with 2 trillion unused miles.
As families head out on their summer vacations, they’re once again debating the merits of signing up.
Here, Associated Press airlines writers Samantha Bomkamp and Scott Mayerowitz argue the programs’ worth:
Mayerowitz: It’s a no-brainer. Travelers taking only one or two trips in a year can benefit with minimal hassle and no cost. You won’t be upgraded to first class, but there are still plenty of perks. Just one round-trip flight between Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Fla., earns enough miles for a magazine subscription.
Bomkamp: Most travelers don’t care about getting a free Sports Illustrated or Entertainment Weekly in their mailbox. They’re lured to the programs by upgrades that are hard to snag and free tickets that can be impossible to redeem. And if they focus too much on racking up miles, they may miss out on cheap flights.
Mayerowitz: Hey, free is free. And loyalty doesn’t only pertain to the airlines. Some hotel programs are particularly generous to even the lowest-tiered members, giving away mini-bar credits or free Wi-Fi. With car rental companies, the perk is precious vacation minutes: you can skip the check-in counter and walk straight to a car.
Bomkamp: What’s your time worth? With the sheer number and complicated nature of frequent-traveler programs, they’re too much trouble to keep track of for too little gain. There are at least a dozen airline programs in the U.S. alone, and more than 20 hotel loyalty plans. Who wants a wallet full of cards and three dozen extra usernames and passwords?
Mayerowitz: Free sites like AwardWallet, MileTracker and Points.com keep track of login information, point balances and provide warnings about expiring points.
Bomkamp: Here’s another problem: Miles and points with some airline and hotel programs expire in as little as a year.
Mayerowitz: It’s easy to keep miles alive. Even without stepping on a plane. For example, miles with American expire after 18 months of inactivity. But just one 99-cent song purchase at iTunes – through American’s shopping portal – keeps your miles active for another 18 months.
Bomkamp: All right, fine. But good luck redeeming them. A recent industry survey showed that on some of the stingier airlines, passengers were only able to find award tickets on one in every four flights they wanted.