It was bound to happen. American and Delta are now charging to cash in your frequent flyer miles, and it’s almost certain that others will follow, and that these fees will become a permanent fixture. You’ll pay $25 now for domestic frequent flyer tickets and $50 for international.
Keep in mind the other fees associated with these once "free" tickets. You’ll pay $100 or even $150 to change a frequent flyer ticket after issuance; $100 or more to rebank your miles should you decide not to use the ticket; an additional fee to issue a frequent flyer ticket over the phone or in person with a ticketing agent.
And get this: American recently announced copayments for certain business class tickets on various routes. Meaning that you’ll have to fork over miles plus cash!
Plus there is no doubt in my mind that the standard 25,000 mile award level (which is virtually impossible to get in any case) will soon be history, as will the 50,000 "anytime" award (meaning there are no blackout dates).
So if I were you, I’d cash out. In fact, I just cashed in 150,000 miles in the British Airways Executive Club to buy a first class New York-London ticket. BA raised the price of their frequent flyer seats a few years ago and caught me unawares, and I vowed it would never happen again.
Cash in those miles! And beware of expiration. Miles are expiring faster than ever unless you have some activity in your account. And then look into a cash back credit card rather than a mile-producing one.

Source




Comments

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Share your wisdom



    Recently:
  • What I did on my summer vacation
  • It was bound to happen. American and Delta are now charging to cash in your frequent flyer miles, and it’s almost certain that others will follow, and that these fees will become a permanent fixture. You’ll pay $25 now for domestic frequent flyer tickets and $50 for international.
    Keep in mind the other fees associated with […]

  • Kayak still not listing American’s fares; and no, Fast Company, it doesn’t have Southwest either
  • It was bound to happen. American and Delta are now charging to cash in your frequent flyer miles, and it’s almost certain that others will follow, and that these fees will become a permanent fixture. You’ll pay $25 now for domestic frequent flyer tickets and $50 for international.
    Keep in mind the other fees associated with […]

  • Brooklyn: Twitterati Tracking “Real World: Brooklyn” Cast
  • It was bound to happen. American and Delta are now charging to cash in your frequent flyer miles, and it’s almost certain that others will follow, and that these fees will become a permanent fixture. You’ll pay $25 now for domestic frequent flyer tickets and $50 for international.
    Keep in mind the other fees associated with […]

  • Davenport: Possible Presidents Travel: Giving Iowa a Try
  • It was bound to happen. American and Delta are now charging to cash in your frequent flyer miles, and it’s almost certain that others will follow, and that these fees will become a permanent fixture. You’ll pay $25 now for domestic frequent flyer tickets and $50 for international.
    Keep in mind the other fees associated with […]

  • The biggest new airline fees target surfers
  • It was bound to happen. American and Delta are now charging to cash in your frequent flyer miles, and it’s almost certain that others will follow, and that these fees will become a permanent fixture. You’ll pay $25 now for domestic frequent flyer tickets and $50 for international.
    Keep in mind the other fees associated with […]

  • Weird JetBlue sale available only for one-direction travel and only on one specific day
  • It was bound to happen. American and Delta are now charging to cash in your frequent flyer miles, and it’s almost certain that others will follow, and that these fees will become a permanent fixture. You’ll pay $25 now for domestic frequent flyer tickets and $50 for international.
    Keep in mind the other fees associated with […]

  • Philadelphia: Philly Music Venue: The Troc
  • It was bound to happen. American and Delta are now charging to cash in your frequent flyer miles, and it’s almost certain that others will follow, and that these fees will become a permanent fixture. You’ll pay $25 now for domestic frequent flyer tickets and $50 for international.
    Keep in mind the other fees associated with […]

  • More Details Emerging on Kingfisher Airlines Expansion
  • It was bound to happen. American and Delta are now charging to cash in your frequent flyer miles, and it’s almost certain that others will follow, and that these fees will become a permanent fixture. You’ll pay $25 now for domestic frequent flyer tickets and $50 for international.
    Keep in mind the other fees associated with […]

  • What’s really wrong with the US airline industry
  • It was bound to happen. American and Delta are now charging to cash in your frequent flyer miles, and it’s almost certain that others will follow, and that these fees will become a permanent fixture. You’ll pay $25 now for domestic frequent flyer tickets and $50 for international.
    Keep in mind the other fees associated with […]

  • Embedded Travel Guide Cambodia: The Cardamom Mountains
  • It was bound to happen. American and Delta are now charging to cash in your frequent flyer miles, and it’s almost certain that others will follow, and that these fees will become a permanent fixture. You’ll pay $25 now for domestic frequent flyer tickets and $50 for international.
    Keep in mind the other fees associated with […]

    Translators

    French German version Spanish version Italian version Russian version Portuguese version Chinese Traditional version Chinese Simple version Arabian version Korean version Japanese version



  • Calendar
    July 2010
    M T W T F S S
    « Aug    
     1234
    567891011
    12131415161718
    19202122232425
    262728293031