Best and Worst for Redeeming Frequent Flyer Miles

July 21, 2016: American Airlines takes top honors for being the stingiest in awarding frequent flyer tickets — and that’s shameful since they originated the program back in the early 1980’s — and Southwest and Air Berlin fly off with top honors for being the best in awarding travelers mileage awards. Most improved program goes to Delta, who for years has held top honors as the worst performer in giving out frequent flyer seats and upgrades. Award seats and upgrades are managed by the airline pricing gurus — so the more retail demand for tickets (demand changes with the seasons) the fewer awards available. Net net, all the airlines want travelers to use their miles for awards other than travel — more retail like gift cards, flowers, and the best low value mileage dumping ground — magazine subscriptions. The TC says, “I earned my miles flying and I want to use them flying!!”

774011244923389615