This Wiki links to recent significant devaluations of programs and the travel experience

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Points and Miles

Southwest Airlines, effective on or before April 19, 2016 with no notice, raised the minimum redemption price from 70 to 72 points per dollar, a 3% devaluation. Southwest has now devalued redemption rates every April for three years running with increased stealth each time.

Southwest Airlines effective April 17, 2015: "the number of Rapid Rewards Points needed to redeem for certain flights will vary based on destination, time, day of travel, demand, fare class, and other factors." This extraordinarily vague announcement leaves members, at least for now, with no idea what their points will be worth. It also opens the door to unlimited changes in the value of points with no notice.


Delta Increase in number of miles needed for business class travel from US to Europe starting Summer 2014. Up 125k from 100k RT. Delta followed this devaluation on November 8 with a second announcement that higher award prices will start immediately for travel on after February 1, 2014. These changes confirm that among US airlines Delta is the king of zero-notice devaluations.

In February 2014, Delta announced a major overhaul to the SkyMiles program. Beginning in 2015, miles will be earned based on revenue, not distance flown, at rates highly unfavorable to all but top dollar elites. Delta did not switch to fare-based redemptions, but did announce the number of award redemption levels would be increased from the current three to five. Delta has ominously not published the prices for the new tiers and will not do so until late 2014. See: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ay-awards.html

Sometime in 2016 (discovered in November), Delta again increased the number of miles needed for business class redemption USA to Europe, from 125k to 140k round trip. This was discovered through a new independently-generated Delta award chart: http://travelisfree.com/wp-content/u...ward-Chart.png

Delta Airlines has introduced variable award pricing effective for flights on or after June 1, 2016, coming full circle on its decision several months ago to eliminate its published award chart.

Delta also expanded the fare classes for which mileage upgrades can be redeemed, but simultaneously increased the price between 2-3x on average.

Delta has also begun enforcing married segment logic on awards, and now requires individuals and agents to search O&D instead of putting together itineraries point-to-point.

Delta provides complimentary Sky Club access for Diamond Medallion members. Previously, if one already had a Sky Club membership upon attaining Diamond status, the membership was extended. As of late 2015, Delta no longer extends existing Sky Club memberships upon attaining Diamond status; rather, the complimentary Diamond membership runs concurrently with any previously purchased memberships.

Delta has eliminated the ability to route between the US and the Southwest Pacific via Asia on award tickets. This effectively eliminates the primary method for traveling to the Southwest Pacific at saver mileage levels (partners such as KE, CI, CZ, MU).

British Airways effective April 28, 2015 makes many changes to Avios. Redemption levels increase for most premium cabin travel. Most coach awards stay about the same. One benefit is an ample number of off-peak dates for redemption at lower levels in each class. Upgrade using Avios pricing increases dramatically. Tier status will be harder to earn.

Southwest Airlines effective March 31, 2014: redeem 70 points per dollar, up from 60
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...31-2014-a.html
The first wholesale devaluation in a revenue-based redemption program.

Edited to add: On January 27, 2014, with no advance notice, Southwest removed the excise tax from its point computation. The effect was to revalue its points 7.5% for redemption and simultaneously devalue future flight earnings 7.5%. The net effect is 7.5% positive for existing balances and for credit card and other partner earnings, neutral for future flight earnings, and 7.5% negative for points-based elite qualification. This change reverses about half of the March 31 devaluation. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...stockpile.html

United adds revenue requirements to Premier Qualification, effective 2014
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ification.html
Mileage runners on rock-bottom fares may be out of luck

Increases many award prices and splits chart: one for United-only (or United plus lower cabin on partners) awards and one for Star Alliance awards. Some awards 90%+ more expensive.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...eb-2014-a.html

Qantas in June 2013 removed online availability of Any Seat Awards (reward seats at Classic rates which earn points and status credits) and ramped up the points and cash requirements for Any Seat Awards: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qanta...site-asas.html. In November 2013, the points requirements for domestic upgrades were raised between 20 and 25%: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qanta...-upgrades.html

Hilton HHonors turns its entire award system topsy turvy June 13 2013 - some major devaluations; guide thread to the many changes:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...ne-2013-a.html
Prepare in most instances to spend many more points

SPG increase cash&points requirements by 20-25% in March 2013.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...05-2013-a.html
Changes:
Cat 1: +300 Starpoints, +$5
Cat 2: +400 Starpoints, +$5
Cat 3: +700 Starpoints, +$10
Cat 4: +1,000 Starpoints, +$15
Cat 5: +1,200 Starpoints, +$20
Cat 6: +2,000 Starpoints, +$30
Cat 7: No change

Hyatt increases award levels by appr 5-10%, 6 high-end properties go up significantly as new Cat 7 level is introduced: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt...-7-2014-a.html

Wyndham devalued its points-to-miles transfers by 50% with no notice on January 31, 2014: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wyndh...onversion.html

Amtrak to move to revenue based redemption ?.

Travel Experience

Alaska Airlines adds a row of seats
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alask...r-outlets.html

Alaska Airlines discontinues Glenlivet
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alask...glenlivet.html

American Airlines' new 777-300ER marks change from 3x3x3 to 3x4x3 in coach / "Main Cabin" (will extend to 777-200ER during late 2014)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
"Main Cabin Extra" with extra legroom for elites or for pay

Southwest Airlines adds a row of seats
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/south...knee-room.html

United Airlines changes free alcohol selection in the United Club - many see new options as cheaper and more limited: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ct-2013-a.html