As if your frequent flyer miles weren't useless enough.......

[marmar]

from MarketWatch:



Delta adds fuel surcharge to frequent-flier tickets
By Christopher Hinton, MarketWatch


NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Delta Air Lines Inc. said Friday that it would begin adding a fuel surcharge to passenger tickets awarded through its frequent-flier program as a way to help offset rising fuel costs.

Delta said it would charge $25 on domestic tickets and $50 on international tickets awarded through its SkyMiles program, effective Aug. 15.

Last year, the carrier had about 3.3 million award redemptions, though this year that's expected to decline as the carrier reduces its capacity after the summer-travel season.

"The price of fuel has nearly doubled in the last year, causing considerable financial stress to Delta's business," said Jeff Robertson, managing director of Delta's SkyMiles Program, in a statement. "This was a difficult but essential decision in the face of record-high fuel costs. We hope this is temporary, and should fuel prices subside from current levels we will reevaluate this surcharge."

Delta joins US Airways Group in charging customers who procure flights through frequent-flier programs. In August, US Airways begins charging $25 for domestic award-program tickets, $35 for flights to Latin America and the Caribbean and $50 for flights to Hawaii and other international destinations.

American Airlines has begun charging a $5 processing fee for flights booked through its awards program.

Charging award members for obtaining award tickets undoubtedly will become as popular among the network carriers as charging for the first piece of checked luggage.

Airlines are frantic to raise enough revenue to match a fuel bill that's up about 50% from a year ago, and that's eating into almost every carrier's cash position. The unprecedented rise in fuel prices already has helped to push about 24 smaller airlines into bankruptcy. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/delta-adds-charge-frequent-flier-award/story.aspx?guid=%7BFC4B9DDA%2D454E%2D4000%2DABCF%2D87A5877B2478%7D

[elleng]

1. USELESS?

My family and I have found our miles to have been very useful; sorry that we're all out!

[TomInTib]

2. And just TRY to use your miles, now.

They will get you nowhere.

[JeanGrey]

4. Nonsense. I used mine a week ago.

[TomInTib]

7. Out of SFO?

To JFK?

50,000 miles.

No options.

I could fly to China on that many, a few months ago.

Ain't no nonsense.

It's all bullshit.

You'd better use your miles while you got 'em.

They will be worthless, soon.

And I have over 400,000 of them on American.

[Missy Vixen]

8. I'll be using some of our miles at the end of July

SEA-SFO and back. Yeah, it's weird to use miles for such a short trip, but I upgrade so people don't have to sit next to the fat lady.

Julie

[TomInTib]

13. "The fat lady"?

I'll be there when the Fat Lady sings.

I'll sit next to you...

And buy the wine.

Dance in the aisle...

It will be a fine flight.

Tom

[Missy Vixen]

14. Tom, if you were sitting next to me, I'd buy you a drink

I'm afraid to fly, so I usually take Xanax to accomplish it. Of course, the drinks are free in first class, and I can't take advantage of them because of the medication. I encourage the person next to me to drink for me. ;-)

Let's just say the guy that sat next to me two years ago on the way home from Atlanta had a wonderful time. :woohoo:

Julie

[TomInTib]

15. And I would make everything OK

A little Xanax....

And some wine.

Laugh a lot...

Sing, some (just quiet and low, so they don't pitch us off the plane)...


That kind of thing...


Tom

[AndyTiedye]

6. Our Miles Got Us from SFO to Stockholm & Back, Business Class Sleeping Compartment

Though they tacked on a surcharge too.

[JeanGrey]

3. Useless? Hardly. I was able to fly to my sisters within a few

hours notice of a family emergency for $75.00. It would've cost me $1600 otherwise. Hardly useless.

[marmar]

5. Well, everyone's experience hasn't been the same as yours, n'est-ce pas?

n/t

[TomInTib]

10. Lucky you.

They are killing us here at SFO.

[Hissyspit]

9. What can I do with 2,000 Delta miles?

I just bought a ticket to Colorado and didn't use them because I figured I would just earn more instead.

[ThatsMyBarack]

11. Just saw that on the teevee!

Airlines slap surcharges on everything. :mad:

[Bluenorthwest]

12. I'm flying SFO to NYC

Easy as pie. No fuss no muss. Mid July, to go look at the New York City Waterfalls project. So mine are not worthless. And I'm flying from SFO. Of course I'd just buy a ticket if they were worthless, but they are not so I saved money! Upgrade and all. Out of SFO, to NYC, on my day and time of choice. And it was far from 50, ooo miles for that matter.