How Frequent Flyer Programs Are A Scam

Every airline you fly with will try its best to convince you to becoming a dear member of their frequent flyer programs. Of course, they give you good reasons. Joining a frequent flyer program doesn’t cost you anything as the membership is free of any charges. Now, who doesn’t like freebies? Over and above that, you get the change of flying for free or earning an upgrade to one of the luxurious classes of the airline. This is done against the miles you collect, which seems easy to be done. Once you gather a pool of miles through multiple tricks, you can redeem them and benefit yourself. For this, you need to know the best ways to utilize air miles.

It sounds amazing so far. It’s not exaggerated at the least to say that a lot of people have actually been able to see plenty of the world because of these programs. Above that, flying in style has become much more possible, all thanks to the loyalty programs.
But it isn’t that simple when it comes to businesses benefitting their customers. Airlines are no exceptions. Frequent flyer programs may be great, but there are a lot of scams involved that you must get aware of. Here’s a guide to the most common of these!

1. Airlines Give You Limited Choice

It seems amazing to be flying for free or getting upgraded to fly with the business class of an airline. The reality is a slightly different picture though. When it comes to the seats you desire for or the flight you wish to take, airlines would give you a very limited choice. Because the timings or the connections are not feasible for the traveler, there is little or no point in gathering all those air miles because the efforts mostly go to waste.

So who gets the best? Only flyers who can afford to be flexible with their plans and adjust them according to the flights provided by the airline! Never count on the airline when it comes to benefitting even their loyal members, they’d do their business.

2. Frequent Flyer Programs are actually Pyramid Programs

That’s probably the next best name you can easily give to these loyalty programs. Now, why do I say that?

How often do you see travelers actually benefitting from these programs? The ones enjoying the flights at their best are the members of the elite program, right at the top of the pyramid. These are the flyers enjoying the best of meals, the finest facilities at the world class lounges and meals to die for. Surely, becoming a loyal member seems a bit too attractive when you look at them.

However, that’s only a little part of the picture. The majority lies at the bottom of the pyramid, all stuffed in the miseries of the economy class. Most of the benefits are only for the mileage maestros, the lucky few who know exactly how to make their way up to the top. The rest of the flyers can mostly the only dream of getting close to it.

3. Too Many Terms

You get the free flight and the free upgrade. You also get to access the dreamy lounges you’ve always been wanting to. However, everything costs. Sadly, a lot of travelers end up spending their fortune to collect these miles only to find out there is nothing to redeem it on. Most of the frequent flyer programs are all about endless terms and conditions. If you fail to look into it, you’ve put yourself in a miserable position!

What You Need to Know

It’s never that bad and there is no harm in looking up to all those people who have gained a lot through these programs. There are some ideal frequent flyer programs of 2016 that are great for the travelers if they wish to get the benefit.

How to choose a frequent flyer program is a must to know before you actually end up selecting one. This decision-making process will actually determine the kind of experience you’ll have with your program.