Southwest Airlines faces a Department of Transportation (DOT) lawsuit for allegedly operating numerous chronically delayed flights, disrupting passenger travel. Meanwhile, Frontier Airlines received a $650,000 fine for similar offenses, with half suspended pending three years of on-time performance. The DOT defines "chronically delayed" as flights operating at least ten times monthly and arriving over 30 minutes late more than half the time.
Are you a frequent flyer with Hawaiian or Alaska Airlines? If so, you'll be thrilled to hear about some binding, enforceable public-interest protections that have been announced prior to their merger. The biggest of these protections is that Hawaiian miles must convert to Alaska at a rate of 1:1. This means that all miles earned under current programs will not expire and can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to and from Alaska mileage plan miles before the launch of the new combined loyalty program.
Additionally, each outstanding mile in both programs must be converted into a mile in the new loyalty program at a 1:1 ratio, ensuring that all members have the same number of miles before and after conversion. These protections are designed to maintain the value of your miles and provide peace of mind as you continue to fly with these two airlines.
Yesterday, the Department of Transport (DOT) announced a probe into the four largest airline loyalty programs - American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. The investigation aims to protect customers from potential unfair, deceptive, or anticompetitive practices. The main areas of concern include devaluation of earned rewards, changes in redemption requirements, new restrictions on travel, and the removal of complimentary benefits.
If you're a frequent flyer, it's important to stay informed about these changes and understand your rights as a customer. By doing so, you can ensure that you're getting the most out of your loyalty program and protecting yourself from potential unfair practices.
