This is in no way a criticism of business travelers, but when they fly, their tickets are often not paid for by THEM, but the company they work for. Even if they use their own CC to pay for the tickets, the company reimburses them later and they get points AND status (for flying a lot and possibly ending up in F either because they have the miles and upgrades or because their company wants to better represent them)

But a leisure traveler pretty much buys tickets for themself, and possibly the whole family out of pocket until they happen to earn enough miles thru whatever means are available. On that one flight they have been saving up for, it is good to be able to actually use those miles!

problem: leisure travelers who do not otherwise fly business when not on vacations with the family dont get there fast enough.

Business travelers who fly so much they deserve to get good service and know exactly what to do in the world of flying are finding there are no seats available when they DO want to fly on vacations.

I like how there are many many ways to earn miles for everything I do. I like the airline malls (AA and NWA being my favorites) and I like CC use and promos. I even like all those pudding guy type gigs you find in stores on box tops.

The other problem is that there are no TOO many ways to earn miles and so we have an overflow when everyone comes to redeem them. We know this, but I personally would sacrifice some of that if it meant my miles could be used when I do reach award levels. And so, if it were up to me, I would taper down the means to earn while not forcing you to have to have activity every 18 months or you lose your miles, and I would disclose the availability of award seating. I still think some promos and credit card miles are as valid as anything else. Promos make for good loyalty and credit cards have always been around with mileage gigs. I would even have it so the airlines no longer give out miles for hotel or car. Instead they suggest that you join this or that hotel or car rental points program. This would generate partnership business for them and lessen the confusion and fine print fees and restrictions for us. As well, it would enable -- and promote the best use of those programs! For example, you fly AA and it has something or someone who says, "Well, we suggest you sign up now for the SPG program, sir. If you do, we give X for getting it now..." I dunno. Thoughts welcome on this one.

In otherwords, bring it back a few years and add in a few new age enhancements, but in some crafty way where it does not look like some restriction that the airlines are so famous for always announcing to us.

MM