Frequent flyer miles have been a popular way for travelers to save money on flights and earn rewards for their loyalty to an airline. However, in recent years, the value of these miles has decreased significantly. This means that even frequent travelers may not get the deal they once were.

For the average American, it will take 3-4 flights on the same airline to get enough points to fly one way for free. That doesn’t sound like a bad deal until you realize that you need to fly the same airline each time and not shop for the lowest price. 

In addition, you might have difficulty redeeming your miles for flights. Airlines have made finding available seats at the lowest redemption levels harder, which means that travelers may have to spend more miles or pay additional fees to get the flight they want.

Additionally, some airlines have introduced dynamic pricing for award tickets. This means the number of miles required for a flight can vary widely depending on factors like demand and seasonality.

Evolution of Frequent Flyer Programs

Frequent Flyer programs were all the rage when they were introduced in the 1980s as a way to save on flights. At the time, many airports had only 2-3 airlines flying in and out, making frequent flyer programs a no-brainer.

Initially, these programs were straightforward, with customers earning one mile for each mile flown. However, as the popularity of these programs grew, airlines began to add more complex reward structures and tiers, which made it more difficult for customers to earn and redeem their miles.

Additionally, airlines have added more restrictions and blackout dates to their reward programs, making it more difficult for customers to redeem their miles for the flights they want.

Comparing Past and Present Benefits

Frequent flyer miles used to be a great deal, but the benefits have decreased over time. In the past, airlines offered generous rewards for frequent flyers, including free flights, upgrades, and other perks. However, in recent years, airlines have scaled back their rewards programs, making it harder for customers to earn and redeem miles.

In 2023, Delta told all of its customers that their skymiles would be devalued, and the spending for elite status was raised from $20,000 to $35,000. The outcry from their flyers was so loud that they rolled back many of the proposed cuts.

Calculating the True Cost of Miles

When analyzing the value proposition of frequent flyer miles, it’s important to consider the true cost of earning and redeeming miles. While it may seem like a good deal to earn miles through credit card spending or other means, the reality is that these miles often come with hidden costs.

For example, many credit cards that offer miles charge high annual fees or interest rates. Additionally, airlines may charge fees for redeeming miles or booking flights at peak travel times. When these costs are factored in, the value of frequent flyer miles may not be as great as it initially seems.

Devaluation of Miles Over Time

Another factor to consider when analyzing the value of frequent flyer miles is their devaluation over time. As airlines have scaled back their rewards programs, the value of each mile has decreased. This means it takes more miles to earn the same rewards once available for fewer miles.

Additionally, airlines have been known to devalue miles without warning, leaving customers with fewer rewards than expected. This can be frustrating for frequent flyers who have invested time and money into earning miles only to find their rewards devalued.

How to Maximize the Frequent Flyer Miles You Have

Earning Frequent Flyer Miles might be challenging, but many people manage to do it well. They add Credit Card Rewards, fly on partner airlines, and try to be flexible in their trip planning.

Best Practices for Earning Miles

To maximize mileage, travelers should join the loyalty programs of the airlines they fly most often and consider flying with partner airlines to earn miles on those flights.

It’s also wise to sign up for airline credit cards that offer bonus miles for signing up and making purchases. Travelers should also watch for promotions and special offers that can earn them extra miles.

Tips for Redeeming Miles Effectively

When redeeming miles, it’s important to be flexible with travel dates and destinations. The more flexible a traveler is, the more likely they are to find award seats available and often at the lowest prices offered.

Travelers should also try to book flights well in advance to avoid last-minute fees and limited availability.

Finally, travelers should consider using miles for upgrades or other rewards besides flights, such as hotel stays or car rentals.

Leveraging Credit Card Rewards

In addition to travel, many regular credit cards offer awesome deals for flights. Travelers can also maximize mileage by using credit cards that reward everyday purchases. Many credit cards offer bonus miles for spending in certain categories, such as dining or travel.

Additionally, some credit cards offer access to airport lounges and other travel perks that can enhance the overall travel experience. However, it is important to use credit cards responsibly and pay off balances in full each month to avoid interest charges and fees.

The Future of Loyalty Programs

Are frequent flyer programs a thing of the past? Here is what I think will happen to airline loyalty programs in the next decade based on things we are beginning to see now.

Predictions for Frequent Flyer Programs

As the airline industry evolves, so do frequent flyer programs. In the future, airlines are predicted to continue devaluing their loyalty programs. This means that it will become increasingly difficult for frequent flyers to redeem their miles for free flights or upgrades.

Airlines will likely continue to increase the number of miles required for rewards and limit the availability of seats for reward travel.

Innovations in Loyalty Rewards

To remain competitive, airlines will need to innovate their loyalty rewards.

One potential innovation is the use of dynamic pricing, where the number of miles required for a reward will vary based on demand. Or rewarding flyers for less desirable flight times, such as red-eyes.

Another potential innovation is using non-flight rewards, such as hotel stays, car rentals, or merchandise, instead of rewarding with free flights.

Keeping Customers Coming Back

Airlines will continue to use customer data to personalize loyalty rewards and target promotions to individual travelers. This means that frequent flyers may receive customized offers based on their travel patterns and preferences.

Of course, none of this is cut and dry; it is just an assumption based on the patterns that have been playing out in many airline loyalty programs.

So How Do We Get a Deal on a Flight Anymore?

 

Is the end of the free flight coming soon? I don’t think so, but it may take longer than it used to and be a little more frustrating to book. In the meantime, here are my best cheap flight secrets that will help you find a great deal.

Look for the Best Price

Frequent flyer programs used to be a major selling point for airlines, but travelers’ expectations have changed in recent years. Many travelers now prioritize low prices over rewards programs. They may also prefer to fly with different airlines for different trips rather than sticking with one airline to accumulate miles.

When I book flights for my family, I generally look for the cheapest flights rather than sticking with a favorite airline. We save way more than we would ever get back from sticking to one airline.

Alternatives to Traditional Frequent Flyer Programs

My personal favorite alternative to Frequent Flyer points is to use my Chase Sapphire Rewards Card to get air miles I can redeem for flights. We generally put every travel-related expense on our card and, at the end of each year, have at least 2 roundtrip redemptions from the credit card.

Choose your Vacation Dates Before You Choose the Location

This is another hard and fast rule my family abides by. We never choose a location to visit for Spring Break, we always keep our options open as we look for great travel deals. It has allowed our family to travel to Scotland for less that $300 per person, Italy for $330 per person, Los Angeles for $120 per person and many other awesome deals.

Frequent Flyer Miles: Do I Need Them Anymore?

I always add my frequent flyer miles number to flights, but I have half a dozen accounts on airlines I have flown once in the past 10 years. For me, I’m saying goodbye. I prefer finding the cheapest flight now instead of spending a bit more for a free flight later. I think more and more people are choosing the same thing.