Here is a link to an article in the Washington Post, Aug 23,2008. Discusses several FFPs and actions that have happened or will happen and some points as to why.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...r=emailarticle

catchy title in your thread.

And yes, the topic has been a trend discussed many times here in FT. It is sad these days but there ARE still deals to be had. One just needs to be more savvy, meaning that in a way, the FFPs are returning to what they once were. In the old days, loyalty and accumulation based on flying a lot and maybe some other few activities would earn you miles that could be redeemed with some ease. These days, miles are everywhere and things are tight, but now, only those with savvy and tenacity are redeeming the awards they want. The bubble has shrunk to be like it was but the group in it is a different type now--or they have a different mindset now. That's at least my opinion this far.

Case and point: Earn fast, redeem fast, repeat with the notion that things WILL change and be prepared for same. One needs to decide what 'group' they wish to be in.

Oh I wish I had the job of a newspaper writer that gets paid to write what we all already know in here

MM

I wish I had the job of the newspaper writer who gets paid to write what we all post on FT, or that which we supply to them via emails or phone calls.

Scott Z. in the story sounds like a real dope. UA's upgrade availability is posted on line for anyone with a triple digit IQ to see.

Remember that (by definition), only half the population has a triple-digit IQ.

Scott Z also sounds like an entitlement freak.

I will say, as I have several times in the past, that the airlines could fix the FF problem very easily and have us all earning and burning rapidly and reduce the burden to the airlines of all the millions of miles that are tied up in the program. All they have to do is allow you to earn flight credit for the awards that you redeem. Not miles, you understand, flight credit. So I earn 5000 EQM credit towards requalification if I redeem miles for a 5000 mile flight, but no actual miles. Many of us do not use the miles we have earned because we have to requalifiy each year. A system like this would mean that more people would try to redeem, but if the seat is going empty anyway, what is the cost to the airline?

I like your idea because I'm in the same boat. Between Mrs. gre and me we have almost 1M miles in the bank and use them for little except upgrading.

How would that "fix" the programs? It would just mean far less revenue for the airlines. They would far rather have $1,000 and 25K outstanding miles than $0 and no outstanding miles.

I appreciate all the sharing - learning a lot here. I certainly don't have a comment on how to fix the system as of yet but am definitely in the earn fast/redeem fast group for right now.

They could still control inventory so as not to make any more available on popular flights.

I'd then have to really consider paying for MRs (where I'm often in premium seats for a minimal price) or taking crappy redeyes for free to earn EQMs.

In my opinion, and I have no statistical data to prove this, but everything involving the airline industry is cyclical. It is a very volatile market and constantly must be evolving, albeit sometimes a little slow.

I'd say dumb writer if he never even came to one of our DC HAppy Hours...