Information Chart on what major airlines are now charging frequent fliers to use their miles

[lhbrown]

Hi,

I just came across this article form the airfarewatchdog.com that gives a very informative chart on what major airlines are now charging frequent fliers to use their miles:
http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/Airfa...fee-chart.aspx

kyshel, you mentioned on another post (US Airways charges for Water now) that you just snagged two business class RT tickets from Bali to Japan for 30,000 miles each on Delta. Among the fees they charged you, did they hit you also with the new $50 intl. processing fee per ticket? or does this fee just apply from US to abroad (Europe)? I booked my FF ticket back to Paris with Delta in early April, and had absolutely no problem finding a seat, the on-line service worked like a charm. But about a months ago I received an e-mail that they were assessing me the new $50 intl. processing fee. I haven't been charged yet for it so far. I wonder when the charge will be applied.








Message Edited by lhbrown on 08-08-2008 10:32 AM

[kyshel]

LHBrown--
I had to pay the usual $25 per tkt for partner travel that is not bookable online. My seats are on hold until the 14th
when I have to pay the small fees/taxes to confirm. The unfortunate part is that if I make any changes, like we decide to leave early and fly thru Narita instead of Incheon, the charge is now $100/tkt to change them...IF the seats are avail....arghhhhh

From Delta.com:
Award Travel Fuel Surcharge

Due to the continued rise in fuel prices, Delta will temporarily add the following fuel surcharge to Award Tickets originating from the US or Canada, effective August 15, 2008:

* $25 for Award Travel between and within the 50 states and Canada
* $50 for Award Travel between the 50 states/Canada and all international destinations including Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific and Latin America.

This fuel surcharge will not impact any existing ticketed award itineraries or any future Award Tickets issued prior to August 15, 2008, regardless of the date of travel.


Time's a-wastin'...

Message Edited by kyshel on 08-08-2008 02:31 PM

[lhbrown]

Hi kyshel,
Thanks for the info on the Delta $50 international processing fee. So, from the looks of it, I just slipped under the wire by booking before Aug. 15, but traveling after August. 15. Hope you can keep your itinerary as planned so you won't incur the $100 ticket change charge and risking not to find any seats available.

[bonniejoy03]

Thanks LH. Be aware of another issue....date of ticket issue and reissue. My tickets were issued in February 2008. They were not involved in any of this baggage hoopla. NOW.....they were reissued because the price went down (they got 100 fee and I am to get a 30 voucher..weo!) BUT my reissued date changed to August! So, I have to follow the August rules! It is quite confusing. I talked to AA, USAir, and Delta yesterday to understand the rules. Seems like each area is different. International flights seem a little more safe on the baggage issue (except for USair.)

[omegaet]

.......interesting article.....just another "devaluation"....happen with currencies now and then. It is funny airlines keep banging away with offers to "buy" miles in their frequent travelers programs....in other words, please allow me to "sell" you something for "real after tax currency" which in fact continues to become less valuable and harder to use, plus we charge you an additional fee, if you should be fortunate enough to find a seat! What am I missing?


It's now the "miles bye" club

12 August, 2008

They used to be called the nations second currency. But thats the case no longer for the once wildly-successful frequent-flier programs that first started 30 years ago.

Proponents argued that the miles were easily earned and widely accepted.

These days, however, frequent-flyer miles look like confederate dollars.

American Airlines frequent fliers were just hit with the news of another round of fees, when the airline announced increases on upgrades from discounted economy fares to premium class services, wrote travel expert Joe Brancatelli.

One-way upgrades on discounted economy fares for trips within North America and for trips between North America and Central America will require 15,000 frequent flier miles and cost customers $50, beginning on the first of October.

On flights between North America and certain cities in Asia, Europe, and South America, fees to upgrade one-way, discounted economy class fares will increase from $300 to $350.

Its happening all across the industry.

Delta last year took the unprecedented step of slapping restrictions on its most expensive (and formerly unrestricted) SkyMiles awards. For the first time ever, Delta told its fliers:

There are seats you can't have no matter how much of our currency you want to spend.

The new three-tiered award structure Delta unveiled recently revives unrestricted awards, but at a high cost. The best ones, redeemable for international business-class travel to Europe or Asia, now cost upward of 370,000 miles round-trip, or about 100,000 miles more than last year.

Continental's program is also undergoing a major devaluation. Earlier this year, it raised award levels by thousands of miles. Last month, it raised fees and now charges a co-pay of as much as $500 to claim an upgrade award. And last week it announced it would do what Delta has just abandoned: impose restrictions on its most expensive, previously unrestricted awards.

The concept of a "free" seat as a frequent-flier award is gone too.

Airlines used to rule that an award ticket didn't include applicable taxes and fees. Then they imposed charges on passengers who booked an award too close to departure or under other circumstances.

Last month came the next wave: Fees of as much as $100 simply for claiming the award.

American Airlines even invented a $5 omnibus fee. By the airline's own admission, the fee applies if you somehow managed to avoid all the other award fees it now charges.

Depending on the airline, your destination, and your time frame, a formerly free award seat can cost you as much as $300.

As a result, airline programs now give fliers less for their loyalty than hotel frequent-guest plans, gas-rebate credit cards, or other frequency schemes.

Report by David Wilkening

[bonniejoy03]

Thanks O. I have been talking about this issue for awhile now. NO tickets ever became available for USAir flights to St. Maarten from the east coast. Of course, there are tickets available at the premium level, but no regular seats. I am really rethinking my credit card usage and my loyalty to an airline for the points. I am cancelling my USAir credit card this month. I have signed up for Delta. I used to be so into these ff points...FORGET IT NOW!



Now, with fees to use points is getting too low.

[kyshel]

Hey Bonnie--I wanted to remind you and anyone else who uses the Delta FF program that you can shop for stuff you normally buy online and get miles thru www.skymilesshopping.com
I just bought things like printer ink and photo cards thru places like Circuit City and Office Depot and picked up the merch while I was in the area. No shipping costs! May not be a lot but eventually the miles add up and sometimes they can actually be redeemed. Since I spent most of mine, I have to start building them back up! I got the Amex card for my husband so he can earn, too. He rents cars when on his overseas trips--every little bit helps. And their car rental insurance program can be a great deal!

[bonniejoy03]

Hi K...thanks for the info. I wasn't too familiar with the card. I should receive it any day. So, explain this to me....can you purchase items at the store or must you go online shopping? I thought I read about double miles for things like the grocery store and gas station. I was hoping that to be the case. I like their website and so far customer service has been wonderful. I booked my first trip online AND...the price came down already AND they gave me a $40 credit..no fees like American Air just charging me $100. So far, I'm a happy camper with Delta!

[kyshel]

You can shop and online thru that link and get set miles/$ for each purchase whether you ship or pick up. AT least you aren't always paying for shipping from local merchants.
And you do get double miles at certain stores anyway--post office, too.

Bonniejoy03-I just got the confirmation that you earn miles for the actual shopping at the set rates PLUS you get to double dip when paying w/DL Amex. So, $55 ink earned 440 miles plus I got the 55 miles on the card and shipping would be free and I'd have a boost of 500 miles! Cool.

Message Edited by kyshel on 08-14-2008 09:11 AM

[bonniejoy03]

I love it! I just "tried" the card yesterday at our local department store. WEO. It worked! I did mess up with my ff numbers. My old Delta number had expired so needed a new one. So, the card didn't have a number assigned./ I called AMEX and they corrected. Hopefully it will be correct and I can enjoy all of the benefits as described!