Senator Schumer wants a probe of mileage programs
 

I think this is a bit intrusive. If you are not educated enough to manage your own points then you get what you deserve. Ignorance is bliss. I am not usually a proponent of less government, but in this case please keep the bureaucrats away. This is clearly an issue between the airlines and the consumer. We don't need no stinking 'feds".

http://www.1010wins.com/Sen--Schumer...-Miles/5731148

IMHO, the FF programs are in desparate need of regulation. Why should miles evaporate without notice?

And, what about the ongoing problems with getting what was promised, free flights? How about those wacky surcharges and fees on "free" flights? And, that's just for starters.

Go Schumer! :D

Frequent Frier Programs
 

"Schumer says he suspects consumers are actually paying for frequent frier programs through air fare and fees. If so, he said rules are needed to protect consumers. He's asking the Department of Transportation to review the complaints."

I couldn't resist noticing the typo (highlighted in bold above.) Anyone here a member of a "frequent frier" program?

The airlines have no one to blame but themselves when they make it almost impossible to redeem. The new Delta is probably a good example of those "frequent fryer" programs the other poster was asking about -- it seems to be a rather warm day in Hades whenever I'm able to find the award trips I want. I had the same difficulty on Northwest/KLM. If they're going to advertise "free" trips, the fees need to go away. If they want to keep the fees -- and they probably should, considering that airlines aren't profitable -- then they need to improve availability. The program, as it stands, is pure bait and switch to a lot of people. I went through a period on Northwest when, even with all the flexibility in the world -- ANY date, ANY destination -- I couldn't find ANY saver awards. I'm hearing the same sad stories about the new Delta/Northwest borg-monster.

About time. Airlines have pages and pages of rules that they keep changing on us all the time - no better than the credit cards and their 10 page cardholder agreements. When they screw you out of miles or a benefit, you can show up with the pages of rules - point to the rule they're not following and they will completely ignore it. Better yet, you can ask them for the exception that supposedly applies to you and they can't point to it in any document. When you start earning miles it takes 60K to go where you want, by the time someone collects the miles the requirement has doubled. As a consumer, what are your choices?
a) Move to another program - not really, they all act the same way and there's only a handful. Besides, you have to wait for the damage first - then it's too late.
b) There is no legal recourse
c) Don't join a FF program - it's not like you get a discount if you don't take the miles.

If you haven't been screwed out of a frequent flyer benefit, then you're not a frequent flyer.

No air traffic control for you :rolleyes:

Sorry billymach4. The airlines are making it impossible for us to find flights which may be convenient for us and then add on monetary charges for using the 'free' miles we earned purchasing their tickets. As other posters have stated if it is a free ticket then there should be NO fees attached to the award travel. There are numerous areas where I feel Uncle Sam needs to stay out of but this is one instance where the involvement may be beneficial.

Tax?
 

Schumer is a rapacious tax and spend Democrat. If he gets his claws into frequent flyer programs expect to be taxed at exorbitant rates for award tix.

When is the last time you saw the federal government get involved in something and things got better in the long run?

Especially something (which for me, at least) is working well .... with a little diligence and planning I earn and burn tons of miles/points every year resulting in very very low cost trips and vacations for my family and myself. Yes, I am flexible and plan well in advance to maximize availability and minimize fees. Yes, I monitor and keep track of all the rewards accounts I value. Yes, I have had some times when I had to spend $$$ (or premium miles/points) to get what I wanted when I wanted it. Yes, at times, that is a pain. But it works pretty well for me.

From lurking on this board for a while now, it seems that too many people expect a seat or a room (often on short notice) for any flight and/or any hotel at any time. And they expect the rewards programs to monitor their accounts and let them know when they may have an issue. Even saw one recently where someone has an old e-mail address, home address, phone number, etc on their account and was upset when their miles expired without notice .... yea, the rewards programs change, not always for the better, and not always with a personal notification to everyone who may be affected .... so if you're not paying attention you might get burned .... that's pretty much true of everything in life, isn't it?

In any case, my worry is that things will get worse and more expensive .... which, IMHO, is the norm when the fed gov gets involved.

1+

Didn't the US beat the Nazis? Was that an improvement?

Been to a National Park lately? Say, Yosemite? Unhappy it wasn't logged over? Is that an improvement on clear-cutting Yosemite Valley?

In any event, the FF programs are not honestly run @:-)--if you don't see that, well then ...:rolleyes:

tax and fly!
 

They are desparate to get more tax money to pay for the health plan. It is perfectly logical that they would like to tax the "free" tickets. That is their sole purpose in looking at the programs. It is not for the consumer's interests!

Correct! Schumer wants the government to tax everything.

That's exactly right. For all of you wanting federal intervention in the frequent flier programs, get ready to be taxed on the "value" of your frequent flier miles and don't be surprised when the federal government places an extremely high unrealistic value on your miles.

UA's Starnet blocking would be a nice candidate for an investigation.

The fees that are now tacked on would be interesting to study as well (calling them "co-pays" is just a cynical way for the airlines to brand it, as they seem to think that all the members of the various programs are utterly stupid).

I also suspect that taxing frequent flier benefits is on the horizon. Big Gubment LOVES their taxes and LOVES their spending, irrespective of any party affiliation. Government will be taxing the frequent flyer programs to fund the government's oversight of the frequent flyer programs. Isn't it lovely to be loved by the government?

I wish they were only investigating Starnet blocking and new fees, but that's purely self-interest on my part. :D

I'm sure that when he's flying (at the taxpayer's expense), he has one of his (tax payer funded) aids, make sure his mileage account number is on the ticket....