Originally Posted by
ACVFlyer
No other airline mileage program that I am aware of, play this type of game when you try to fly to your destination in the shortest amount of time possible.
Unfortunately, other programs are doing this as well, and I would assume it will become more common as a back door way to devalue miles.
I am planning a trip from SAT to YQR. Before the NW/DL merger, NW was offering many roundtrip choices SAT-MSP-YQR at 25K miles. Now that DL has absorbed NW, WorldPerks miles are SkyMiles. But, the available routings back in Nov (for travel May 2010) at 25K were SAT-ATL-MSP-YQR (13 hours total travel time). Of course, for a higher redemption level, I could have had SAT-MSP-YQR. I just checked and now see that SAT-MSP-YQR is available again at 25K miles, for a reasonable selection of dates.
Long story short, I think the OP and some of the follow-ups are dead on: the whole process of collecting FFM and using them is equivalent to gambling in Vegas. Elite status is akin to the Comps. FT is the equivalent to a guide for poker strategy. Looks like we might need an FFM Anonymous thread too!
