Originally Posted by
eigenvector
There are some *A carriers who do not even provide physical cards. Airline FFP cards don't have any security or anti-counterfeiting measures on them so other than costing $5 to fake I'm not sure why some carriers continue to insist that a physical card is more meaningful than a digital one as long as it has the relevant information: name, status, expiration date.
That's not true, some programs combine with credit card functions and have all the required security. Qantas and Virgin Australia do this. Think like the ACC. Others, like JAL and ANA offer credit cards that have frequent flyer status attached -- meaning you can't have the card unless you're elite, so all you do is show your credit card. Many also allow you to scan/swipe it instead of having to input all the details: AA and UA do this at check-in machines.
For domestic flights in Australia, you can even use your QF elite card as your boarding pass.
Just because some carriers are unimaginative in keeping up with the times and issue useless pieces of plastic doesn't mean it has to be. Also, some people like shiny things anyway. Why can't airlines issue metal cards like Qatar does for Platinum?