The Extra Mile

These Days, "Full Service" Means More Frequent Flyer Miles

Q&A: Where Do Miles Go When Their Owner Dies?

July 28, 2003 - JetBlue's recent announcement that, beginning in September, they will add two inches of legroom to two-thirds of their seats blurs the conventional distinction between discount carriers (AirTran, JetBlue, Southwest, etc.) and full-service airlines (American, Continental, Delta and so on).

After all, the full-service operators have been cutting back on amenities, even as the discounters have been trotting out shiny new planes with leather seats and satellite TVs. And the industry-wide trend toward pack-your-own and buy-onboard meals further narrows the gap.

With the new seat configuration, JetBlue will boast as much coach legroom as any full-service carrier, and more than most. Which, together with their low fares, means that JetBlue is selling sirloin at Quarter Pounder prices.

In fact, one of the few remaining reasons to pay sirloin prices is the mileage programs offered by the high-fare carriers.

Yes, AirTran, JetBlue and Southwest do have loyalty programs. But they are 98-pound weaklings compared to the pumped-up mega-mile juggernauts of the largest airlines.

Even Southwest's Rapid Rewards program -- the most robust in its class -- is a laggard. Whereas members of the Big Six programs may earn miles through vast networks of participating companies, and redeem those miles for flights almost anywhere in the world, Rapid Rewards members are limited to earning points for Southwest flights and a relative handful of hotels and rental car companies. And when it comes time to redeem, there's only one reward: yet another flight on Southwest, which doesn't fly to Hawaii or overseas.

The award side of the discounters' programs is further compromised by their common policy of expiring points after just 12 months.

So for many coach passengers, the only "full service" perk they forfeit by traveling on discount carriers is a full-featured mileage program. And those miles -- generally valued at 2¢ each -- may not justify the price premium.

Current News & Offers

Effective July 15, members of the mileage programs of Continental, Delta and Northwest may earn and redeem miles for flights on all three airlines' flights. (Exception: flights on Song and Delta Connection operated by American Eagle are not part of the deal.)

The three-way frequent flyer program tie-up is part of a larger commercial alliance which includes code-sharing and reciprocal airport lounge access.

United is offering Mileage Plus members one free coach ticket for every United international first or business-class roundtrip taken between July 9 and Sept. 14.

The free ticket is valid for international coach travel on United or any Star Alliance partner airline. Award tickets are transferable and must be used between Sept. 15, 2003 and Mar. 31, 2004.

Registration is required, at http://www.united.com/ or by calling 1-800-447-6772, promotion code 793.

So far, only American has matched this offer.

Readers: Miles on their Minds

Question from K.C.

What happens to the accumulated miles when a frequent flyer dies?

Answer

This is an issue on which the airlines have decidedly ambiguous rules.

Typical of the major carriers' policy statements is the following from American: "(M)ileage credit is not transferable and may not be combined among AAdvantage members, their estates, successors and assigns. Neither accrued mileage, nor award tickets are transferable by the member (i) upon death, (ii) as part of a domestic relations matter, or (iii) otherwise by operation of law."

That's clear. But in the same section, we are told that "American Airlines, in its sole discretion, may credit accrued mileage to persons specifically identified in court approved divorce decrees and wills upon receipt of documentation satisfactory to American Airlines and upon payment of any applicable fees."

Translation: We reserve the right not to; but we might anyway.

In the real world, if the miles were willed to another person, and that person can provide copies of the will and death certificate of the deceased member, most airlines will indeed transfer the miles.

In cases where the original mileage-earner's wishes were never made explicit (in a will, say), the miles may still be transferred to a family member, provided that the family tie can be documented to the satisfaction of the airline.