Frequentflyer

A frequent flyer program is a loyalty program offered by airlines to reward customers for air travel and related purchases. Members earn miles or points when flying and, increasingly, for purchases with linked credit cards and other partners. The earnings depend on factors such as distance flown, fare class, and current promotions. Miles or points can be redeemed for award flights, cabin upgrades, or non-flight redemptions like hotels, car rentals, or merchandise. Many programs also offer elite status tiers that provide benefits such as priority check-in and boarding, extra baggage, lounge access, and priority security.

Most programs are connected to an airline alliance or operate within a broader network of partner airlines. Status and benefits earned with one airline are often recognized across alliance partners, and programs typically allow earning and redemption with thousands of partners, including hotels, car rental firms, and co-branded credit cards. Transfers between miles and points, family pooling, and other features vary by program and country.

History and structure: The modern frequent-flyer concept emerged in the 1980s, with American Airlines’ AAdvantage often cited as one of the first, launched in 1981. Other carriers soon introduced similar schemes, and programs evolved through expanded partnerships, mileage-based earning, and credit-card linkage to widen earning opportunities and redemption options.

Criticism and limitations: Critics note that the value of miles can be volatile and subject to devaluations, expiration policies, and limited award space. Redemption options may be constrained by blackout dates or capacity controls, and complex terms can reduce transparency for consumers.

See also: loyalty program; mileage; airline credit cards.