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The article focuses on using frequent-flier miles. Worldwide, members of frequent-traveler programs with airlines, hotels, car rental companies and credit cards earn 650 billion-plus miles and points per year and some 75% go unredeemed. Travelers who don't consolidate their points within a single hotel brand or airline end up with a ragbag of unusably few miles spread across several programs. When someone finally racks up enough for a free ticket to Europe (50,000 to 60,000), they face the restrictions devised by airlines and hotel companies to ensure they only have to give away seats and rooms they can't sell anyway. The only thing holding back deals between travelers is the threat of having program points confiscated under rules that forbid the trading, bartering or selling of miles (air) or points (hotel, car rental). In May 2003 Virgin Atlantic launched FlyingCo, a plan that gives parallel accrual of miles for the passenger and his employer, which banks the miles for future flights for any of its staff. If you have only 10,000 miles on Midwest Airlines--40% of what's required for a free domestic ticket--and 24,000 on American, try to convert your Midwest miles to qualify for a free ticket on American. The airlines don't mind trading here, because they are either selling more miles or taking miles off their books. |
