"Fewer perks. Airlines know exactly who their most-profitable customers are: They’re elite frequent fliers, particularly the ones who buy lots of expensive first- and business-class tickets. These folks get to use a separate, shorter line through security at many airports, as well as numerous other benefits. (For more, see “How to get luxury perks for your travel buck.�) But airlines also keep computerized notes on their frequent fliers, says travel expert Joel Widzer, and those known to be too demanding or obnoxious may get fewer free upgrades and less-accommodating agents."

Are you a bad customer?
from MSN Money
March 2005

"Joel Widzer, author of The Penny Pincher's Passport to Luxury Travel and an elite member of Delta’s program, is critical of what he sees as the airlines’ misguided devaluation of their loyalty programs. 'The value of air miles and other incentive-based points has fallen quicker than the dollar to the Euro. The sheer barrage of outstanding miles and points, which many experts estimate exceed 9 trillion, have been devalued from 2¢ to .5¢. Going for the miles seems foolish, at best.'

Nevertheless, he participates actively in Delta’s SkyMiles program, and admits he sometimes pays for higher-priced tickets in order to earn more elite-qualifying miles. 'Sometimes it’s worth it.'" (Read the full article...)

The State of Frequent Flyer Programs: Today, Tomorrow and Beyond
by Tim Winship
January 7, 2005