In the not-so-distant past, airlines announced any changes to their programs 2 full years in advance of those changes. This was so that you didn't waste one day flying today for a benefit that wasn't going to be there in next year's program.

In many other instances, the airlines "grandfathered" program changes with "old" or "original" miles that were valid on the old award structure. Giving you many years to use them up.

Things have indeed changed, and this is a pet peeve of mine and one I've mentioned to Randy several times here, by private email and in Chat.

And it is an industry-wide problem.

I hope that when Randy picks the next "cause" that this consumer protection will be at or near the top of his list.

Also, FYI, see a related story in last month's Inside Flyer about American Airlines settlement in a lawsuit regarding program changes at:

http://www.webflyer.com/@flyer/arcdo...1/insideed.htm