This is no time to horde your frequent flier miles
Frequent flier miles holders are becoming more concerned with the fate of their miles with the possibility of bankruptcy filing by both Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines and the pending merger of US Airways and America West.
The smart advice from experts is not to panic, but to start using up miles on these airlines, to protect against any changes they may make to their programs’ rules, while lessen the value of the miles. Airlines understand any such adverse changes would alienate their customers. Bankrupt United Airlines and US Airways did not make any major changes their programs.
In other words, saving your miles for retirement is not a good game plan. If you have trips coming up, use the miles, though you don’t need to create trips, say frequent flier mile experts.
Book international flights and first class upgrades a year in advance if possible, as those seats are difficult to obtain.
Airlines control the number of seats, and the flights, on which free tickets are available. While 8%-10% is the normal allocation for frequent flier free tickets, airlines will adjust the supply down for any peak season travel to a destination, holiday season, high load factor, etc.
It is anticipated that with the financial problems at Northwest and Delta they will allocated fewer frequent flier seats in coming months, even as we approach the low season, and attempt to generate cash by selling them.
Charles Kao
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