What will be the nadir of FF programs?
 

This thread asks what was the "zenith" of frequent flyer programs.

One lesson to be drawn from the responses, is how most think that programs were better in the distant past, and have gotten gradually worse.

It would stand to reason that they will get worse still.

My rethorical question is this: how much worse will they get? Where are we headed?

Well, if any get terminated without the airline going under (and the airline waving its "We reserve the right to cancel with 60 days notice at any time" clause in the air), it'd be pretty bad.

Short of that, you could get more like Delta that are trying to lock leisure flyers out of both upgrades and ability to earn elite status. That'll only accelerate the trend toward airlines like AirTran and Southwest.

And the programs that don't mimic Delta could imitate OnePass, with its bad award availability for transoceanic flights and stealth 50% "EasyPass" devaluation. "Sorry, no seats are available for three months, but we do have EasyPass if you'd like to spend twice the miles."

When Ansett when bankrupt-and shut their doors last year and anyone who had miles lost them with it

my plan is and always has been to bring up my miles earnings to useable levels on all the airlines I have any with, and then BURN EM FAST!

I have already begun.

Sure I will fly again and maybe even use this tactic to better pick which airline I like more than not, but there will be a great hands-washing period in which I will have nothing and will not really care any more if the airlines change it all. I do now, but I fear the day is coming and we all must BURN EM (which is also maybe why the day is coming!)