Airlines restrict frequent flier bennies

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Airlines are cutting back frequent flier rewards in an effort to cut costs amid high fuel costs, analysts say.

Some carriers have placed restrictions on seat availability, imposed online booking charges and increased the number of miles it takes to get upgrades or free tickets, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

Rick Seaney, chief executive of FareCompare.com, an airline ticket research site, said changes to frequent flier programs could anger some of the airlines' best customers.

"I don't understand why the airlines think they need to do this," he said. "They are basically watering down the points by changing the programs. I consider it to be like Russian currency in the early '90s when it lost its value."

He said frequent fliers should book tickets as soon as possible to try to escape some of the fees that haven't hit yet. For instance, on Oct. 1, American Airlines will impose a non-refundable "co-payment" of $50 for one-way upgrades for frequent fliers who buy domestic economy tickets.

Last week, Delta Airlines said its frequent-flier customers will have to pay a $25 fuel surcharge to redeem tickets for travel within the United States and Canada and pay $50 on international routes.