Frequent flyers facing new regulations and fees

Air passengers have had to pay higher fares, surcharges, and a variety of added fees during the past year, and now, even frequent flyers are feeling the pinch as they have to deal with regulations that reduce their frequent flyer mile purchasing power.

On Friday of last week, Continental Airlines reported that it was reducing mileage awards on short-haul flights, and the number of bonus miles offered. Last month, US Airways cut all bonus miles awarded to its top-level frequent flyers.

The reduced benefits for frequent flyers are being introduced as airlines continue their struggle to achieve profitability as they face high fuel costs and lower passenger demand.

The reduced mileage awards means that it takes passengers longer – and more flights – to qualify for awards. Several airlines have also increased the number of miles required to earn award tickets, and have put expiration dates in place as well.

An “award travel fuel surcharge” was added by Delta last month, which means that members of the SkyMiles program have to pay $25 when redeeming miles online for a domestic ticket, and $50 when redeeming miles for an international ticket.

Northwest Airlines is imposing a $25 charge for redeeming miles on a domestic route, beginning September 15, $50 for a transatlantic ticket, and $100 for a ticket across the Pacific.

www.continental.com