Recently I did a study on the effect of legacy airlines removing the 500-mile frequent flier mile minimum after Continental announced that it was only going to give credit for exact mileage flown (following similar moves by United and US Airways).

Continental is now reversing this recent decision to its frequent flier program - for some of its passengers.

But here’s the catch: this reversal only affects Continental’s “elite passengers” (those who fly at least 25,000 miles in a year).

FYI: I perused the websites of US Airways and United this morning, since they too had rescinded the 500-mile minimum - was curious to see if they were going to follow Continental’s lead - but so far, I can’t find any evidence that they have.

According to Bloomberg (via the Seattle Times), airline awards programs are a real hot commodity these days - redemptions are way up.

Especially domestically.

Folks who fly on U.S. carriers are “burning through record numbers of frequent-flier points to avoid paying higher fares”.

Good news for the airlines because these days, most of them make money on their frequent flier awards thanks to surcharges of as much as $100 per ticket.

And good news for the “frequent fliers”, since these not-quite-free tickets are still a lot more attractive than domestic airfares, which have risen anywhere from 20 to 40 percent at the major airlines this year.

TIP: When airfares are on the high side, don’t hoard your miles — and when you’re ready to book - check with FareCompare, to make sure you get the very best deal possible.

• only 17 percent had more than 50,000 awards points with any specific airline
• nearly 60% said that there is a need for a service that makes redeeming easier

Sounds like these biz folks are struggling with changes in frequent flier miles programs - which is why I put together a chart showing all these changes (and we update it constantly).

TIP: it may be worth joining a frequent flier club, even if you are discouraged by the hurdles in redeeming miles, for this reason - it may get you ahead of others when it comes time to board the plane (see my post on American’s “priority lanes”). And the beauty of boarding ahead of others means more space available for you to stow your carry-on.

American Airlines says it’s creating new, “priority lanes” for its best customers - to get them checked in, through security an onboard before its “worse” customers, I guess.

So - are you a “best customer”? You are, if you fit any of the descriptions below:

• First class passengers
• Business class passenger
• Passenger paying full fare coach
• Airline alliance members
• Most frequent flyer members

I was vaguely wondering, “Who’s left?” I got my answer from a colleague reading over my shoulder who travels only every now and then; she said, “Uh-oh. That only leaves - me!”

I’d like to hear from you, faithful readers - what do you think about “priority lanes”?

Are you enrolled in a “miles program”? Then this chart is for you.

I’ve been bombarded with questions about frequent flier programs over the past year, mostly because the airlines have been so busy making changes to their programs — and I decided to give my readers an easy way to see what their programs still offer - and what they don’t.

I’ve broken up my chart into two sections:

• awards and redemption levels
• various fees required for actually using miles.

Check out this handy-guide by clicking here - and let me know what you think.

This just in: Cambria Suites is now offering triple airline and Amtrak rewards (through the end of the year). You simply present your frequent flyer number from one of seven airline programs, and you get triple the usual amount of points, and the same holds true for Amtrak’s “miles” program. Click here for details.

If you like to stay at Starwood Hotels, their miles program called SPG lets members book flights on hundreds of airlines with no blackout dates, beginning today. Click here for details on this program.

As you may have noticed, airline capacity cuts and route cutbacks have made it a bit difficult for some hotels, from big chains to Mom & Pop establishments - and besides rewards programs, there are some good lodging deals out there.

Changes are coming to Frontier Airlines’ “EarlyReturns” mileage program, effective September 15.

Here are some of the details:

• A $25 non-refundable redemption fee per ticket on award tickets is being added*
• Award tickets purchased within 14 days of travel will be charged a $75 non-refundable expedite fee per ticket*
• Mileage redemption level for a domestic roundtrip ticket will increase from 15,000 to 20,000 miles. All other mileage redemption levels will increase by 5,000 to 10,000 miles

According to a Frontier exec, “Unfortunately, with oil still nearly 50% higher than just six months ago, we had to review the current structure and revise elements that will afford our ability to remain both customer friendly and cost conscious.”

See all the details on Frontier’s website.

*These fees are waived for EarlyReturns Summit members

Not too long ago, we told you about the changes at Delta. Now, American Airlines is revamping its frequent flier mile program, and unless I miss my guess, you’re not going to like it.

For one thing, it’s now going to cost you between $50 and $350 to upgrade from “discount economy” fares (price depends on where you’re traveling to) — even though you’re using miles for the upgrade.

That great website, Consumerist, cited this terrific comment from an aviation consultant, courtesy the Dallas Morning News:

“At some point, it becomes like a Saturday Night Live skit, where you’re paying for a seat belt and to use the bathroom. They’re running out of things to charge us for.” – Timothy Sieber, the Boyd Group

Not yet, Mr. Sieber. Unfortunately, not yet…

Do you need to be a CPA to figure out the in’s & out’s of airline mileage clubs?

No…but it sure wouldn’t hurt.

Delta has now revamped its frequent flier program; the airline has now introduced a 3-tier system that will require as much as 60,000 miles for a last minute domestic coach ticket.

Up to now, you could get coach frequent flier tickets at 25,000 or 50,000 miles. Now, depending where and when you go, Delta requires 25,000, 40,000 or 60,000 miles for frequent flier tickets. See the details here.

A Delta spokesman quoted in the New York Times noted that the number of miles issued by Delta over the past few years has grown by 24%, but that the number of seats available to use miles on — has NOT grown.

An analyst quoted in that same article said he’s concerned that “travelers would have a more difficult time booking award tickets”. Hmmm. Ya think??

The Alaska Air Group (which includes Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air) is making some changes to its frequent flier program. The Associated Press has the story.

Biggest change: a new $25 fee to use miles on partner airlines.

They’re also raising the number of miles to redeem a “Coach Saver” ticket from 20,000 to 25,000 as well as other changes.

I’ve been writing about changes to frequent flier miles programs with…well, increasing frequency. And in my recent one-on-one interview with Southwest CEO Gary Kelly, there’s some discussion as to whether these programs will survive in any form.

An update from Kiplinger reminds us that a new governement program called Global Entry has been launched that should make going through customs in the U.S. a lot easier (and faster).

Specifically, the program allows you to skip the customs lines (you’ll go to a kiosk, insert a card, get photographed, have fingerprints checked, and answer questions on a touch screen).

Among the requirements:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
• You must make frequent overseas flights
• You must agree to be interviewed by Customs/Border Protection officers
• Interviews must take place at JFK, George Bush in Houston or Dulles in D.C. (the only current partipating airports)
• You must agree to be fingerprinted
• Pay $100 membership fee (good for 5 years)

Click here for more information (and to see an application).

There is a group of people out there – a secret society of sorts — that has a very different view of travel than you and I have.

They are the Mileage Runners…and they’re willing to take more flights in two days than most people take in two years. Why? To get their hands on precious frequent flyer miles that will ensure their “elite status” and keep the perks coming.

In other words, mileage runners are willing to go to almost any lengths to ensure their high status with an airline’s frequent flier program.

But there’s a price to pay: you have to fly a lot of miles. So, beginning in November, elite fliers start checking their miles, to see if they have enough. If not, they must amass more, so…they fly. A mileage run is a way to do this as quickly and cheaply as possible (mileage runners don’t waste time and money on hotels or sightseeing — they simply fly).

A mileage run could involve taking 7 flights across the world to some remote destination, only to turn around a few hours later and head back home.

So, who ARE these mileage runners? Read on. PLUS, SEE WHAT ONE MILEAGE RUNNER’S TRIP COST (YOU’LL BE SURPRISED).

United Airlines’ frequent fliers have always received a minimum of 500-miles, no matter how short a trip they took. Not anymore.

Starting July 1, if you fly, say, LaGuardia to Dulles, you WON’T get 500 frequent flier miles; you will ONLY get the actual number of miles the trip took — about 230 miles.

Just one more way the airlines are cutting back in the face of those off-the-chart jet fuel prices.

Put me down as a fan of this idea: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has got two “experiments” going to try and ease long security lines.

And cut down on air travel frustration.

The TSA is trying something akin to the way ski trails are marked (makes sense: the experiments are being conducted in Salt Lake and Denver).

It’s a simple idea: 3-different security lanes, for 3-different kinds of travelers.

Keep reading, I think you’ll like this.

Anyone who is a member of a frequent flier program knows that there are a lot of emails involved. Generally, it’s “Come to Vegas,” “Sign-up for this Credit Card,” or “Fly to Europe.” Pretty standard airline marketing stuff. But I must admit, Delta SkyMiles threw me for a loop today.

Forget about Orlando. New York is a thing of the past. Never mind about Vegas. Come to Eureka! Yep, Delta contacted all of its SkyMiles members (millions) to get them jazzed about dropping everything and heading out to Eureka…

Airline stock guru’s are “modeling in” merger price bumps into their stock price forecasts for investors — not strangely enough “BUY” seems to be the widespread theme from these analysts.

Oh! of course there is the standard disclaimer about sky-rocketing fuel and the economy, but there appears to be a giddiness that spells trouble for those of us caught in the path of a merger — in a city where there was “once” compeitition.

Is what “is” good for investors & airline executives retirement plans — good for you?

Used to be, booking airfare online with one of the legacy carriers meant a “booking bonus”; usually, extra frequent flier miles.

But, according to Ben Mutzabaugh in USA Today, those bonuses are going the way of the T-Rex. Today is the last day United will be doing that; the only remaining bonus-giver of the big-6 is American, and who knows how long they’ll continue.

What’s going on? Hint: it’s got to do with money (what else?). Click “more” and I’ll explain.

It is that time of year again - you get your frequent flier mileage statement and that frown appears on your face as you realize
you’re about to lose that hard earned airline VIP status…

If visions of “Just 4 more segments” or “Only 4,000 more miles” are dancing through your head - don’t despair — All hope is not lost – you still have a few options …

“Everything you think you know about frequent flier programs is wrong. Even the name “frequent flier program” is misleading. And every misperception you embrace helps the airlines beat you at the game.”
– Joe Brancatelli

What can we as frequent fliers do to protect our miles? Can we still collect on those “rewards” promised by the airlines? What can we expect if the airlines spin their FF programs off into separate companies?

Some people are starting to think of Frequent Flyer Miles as Frequent Fraud Miles and while fraud may be a little harsh, we do hear from a lot of folks who are getting tired of seeing the value of their miles being whittled away.

The latest down-grade news comes from Delta (their program is called SkyMiles, which includes the premium program, SkyChoice). According to Delta’s website, effective December 1, 2007, SkyChoice Award Ticket Reservations will no longer be available on every Delta flight…