Dallas, TX (July 28, 2003) – Travel expert John Krieger warns we may be seeing the beginning of airlines doing away with traditional frequent flyer programs, with the recent announcement of Delta Airlines ending their mileage and lounge relationship with United Airlines.
'It’s no secret that all airlines would go out of business if the billions of miles earned were redeemed at any given time, or if ever. Airlines have attempted to divert mileage awards from air travel to other leisure activities with little success,' Mr. Krieger said.
Delta and United’s relationship regarding mileage will end October 15, 2003, with all travel to be completed by February 29, 2004. The lounge relationship will also terminate on February 29, 2004.
United has battled to keep their planes in the air and continues to do so despite their business partners severing their relationships. Are they setting the pace for other troubled airlines to do the same?
'With the continuing losses at the big six airlines you have to wonder, are the airlines looking at reducing or eliminating mileage programs they really can’t afford?' According to Mr. Krieger, only time will tell if this announcement foreshadowed the turning tide for frequent flyer programs.
John Krieger is widely regarded as one of the leading experts in the travel industry. He has been working in the business for 30 years. Mr. Krieger is the founder and president of Admiral of the Fleet Cruise and Tour Center, the No. 1 cruise only agency in Texas. He also serves as CEO of Alliance Travel, a full service Dallas travel agency. He is the travel analyst for many media outlets including KDFW, NBC5, KTVT, KRLD and TSN among others.
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