This is more evidence why you should be SPENDING your frequent flyer miles whenever possible. At the bottom of this post is an email from USAir. In a nutshell, USAir passengers will receive ONLY the miles that are actually flown. Before this change, the 500 miles floor ensured at least 500 miles per segment. In addition, a new fee will apply when booking flights within 14 days of departure. Remember the days when one of the benefits of frequent flyer miles was for use in emergency late bookings? Those days are long gone.
You just have to love the way they spin this:
As part of our continuing efforts to provide valuable benefits to our frequent flyers, US Airways is making a change to our Dividend Miles program. We’re making these changes to offset record fuel prices and rising airline related expenses while maintaining the benefits you’ve come to expect.
They are definitely doing something, but it’s not increasing your benefits as a frequent flyer.
Don’t fool yourself about the value of your points. They are the first to be de-valued when it comes to cutting costs. The complete text is below.
Beginning May 1, 2008, Dividend Miles will award the actual number of miles flown rather than a minimum number of miles flown for each segment. Also, members who redeem miles for award travel within 14-days of departure on usairways.com will be assessed a quick ticketing fee.
Here’s a summary of the policy changes:
Accrual * Tickets purchased on/after March 1, 2008 for travel on US Airways on/after May 1, 2008 will earn the actual number of miles flown and will no longer earn a minimum of 500 miles per segment. * Tickets flown on partner airlines after May 1, 2008 will earn the actual number of miles flown. Tickets purchased prior to March 1, 2008 will continue to earn the 500 mile minimum for travel after May 1, 2008. Accrual on flight segments greater than 500 miles in length are not impacted by this change. Redemption * Members redeeming miles for award travel online within 14-days of departure will be assessed a quick ticketing fee of $50 per ticket.
A quick ticketing fee of $75 per award ticket will continue to apply for award tickets purchased from US Airways Reservations. Chairman’s and Platinum Preferred members booking within 14-days (both online and by phone) are exempt from the fee.