the.com/frequent flyer
a loyalty program's favorite fiction: that boarding zone 5 makes you special.
means a traveler enrolled in an airline rewards scheme that converts miles flown and money spent into points redeemable for flights, upgrades, or status.
from american airlines launched the first modern program, aadvantage, in 1981 as a way to lock in business travelers with sunk-cost loyalty rather than lower fares.
original purposederegulation-era price war weapon, not a perk
biggest currencyairline miles outnumber most national currencies in circulation
expiration trickmany programs quietly devalue miles yearly
status envytop tiers get invisible seat upgrades before boarding
for instance
aadvantage — american airlines, launched 1981, the original blueprint
skymiles — delta, ditched award charts entirely in 2015
miles and more — lufthansa, europe's largest frequent flyer program
velocity — virgin australia, known for generous status matching