The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has initiated an investigation into the frequent flyer programs offered by the four major U.S. airlines: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. The purpose of this inquiry is to ensure that these loyalty programs are transparent and fair to consumers, preventing airlines from engaging in deceptive or anticompetitive practices.
DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the significance of frequent flyer miles and credit card rewards in the economy, highlighting how consumers perceive these rewards as part of their savings. However, he also pointed out that these rewards are controlled by airlines, allowing them to unilaterally change their value.
The investigation will focus on four specific areas concerning how airlines manage their loyalty programs:
1. Rewards devaluation: The DOT seeks to understand any changes made by airlines to their rewards programs that may have reduced the value of rewards, such as adding blackout dates, points expiration, or increasing the number of points required for elite status or award redemptions.
2. Hidden and dynamic pricing: Airlines may obscure the dollar value of miles through dynamic pricing, where points prices fluctuate based on demand. The inquiry will require airlines to disclose the average dollar value of each mile.
3. Added fees: Some airlines charge fees for redeeming or transferring miles, potentially diminishing the value of the miles.
4. Mergers and partner programs: The DOT is interested in how mergers and partnerships impact customers’ costs when redeeming miles on partner airlines.
The selected airlines have until December 4, 2024, to respond to the DOT’s data requests, which include details about elite status levels, spending requirements on co-branded credit cards, fees related to the loyalty program, and changes made to the program over the past six years.
The DOT’s probe aligns with efforts to enhance airline passenger rights and provide more oversight of the airline industry. This inquiry may lead to policy changes that could affect how consumers earn and redeem airline points and miles.
To mitigate the impact of potential devaluations in airline loyalty programs, consumers can consider using credit cards that earn transferable points or miles. These cards allow users to accrue rewards and transfer points to partner programs, providing flexibility and safeguarding against sudden devaluations.
The DOT’s investigation may prompt airlines to communicate changes more effectively and could lead to additional regulations to protect consumers. Overall, the goal is to ensure that frequent flyer programs remain fair and transparent for all participants.