Good news (and bad) in the world of miles and points

By Joe Brancatelli

Credit: contraption.

Since United Airlines has had some limited success selling travelers “bonus” Mileage Plus credit on a per-flight basis, American AAdvantage has decided to do the same. The airline’s so-called Mileage Multiplier Option will appear when you check in for your flight at airport kiosks. For the outrageously inflated price of about 3 cents a mile (plus tax), you can buy double or triple flight miles.

Delta Air Lines has eliminated the annoying redemption fees for SkyMiles awards claimed within 21 days of departure. The fees ranged as high as $150 for tickets booked within three days. Why roll back the fees? Delta insiders say the strangenew world of frequent flyer accounting actually makes it beneficial to the airline when travelers claim awards.

Moreover, customers who successfully claim awards are more likely to continue to book Delta, thus creating more revenue than the fees generated. But nothing is totally free of bad news, of course. While it drops redemption fees, Delta has hiked the charge it imposes if you redeposit miles to $150.

Stash Hotel Rewards is the name of a new frequent-guest program that claims to be a loyalty plan for “fiercely independent hoteliers,” about 65 of whom are currently participating. But “independent” is in the eye of the beholder. Among the properties in Stash Rewards are the Hotel Sierra chain, run by LodgeWorks, and a handful of lodgings operated by Greystone Hotels of San Francisco.

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