From Fortune: Transportation Department investigates airlines for changing loyalty programs to make rewards harder
From Fortune:
The Department of Transportation is investigating possible deceptive practices in airline loyalty programs following concerns raised by federal lawmakers. The agency plans to review complaints and exercise its authority to investigate airlines for unfair and deceptive practices. This increased scrutiny comes after two U.S. senators asked the agency and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau about protecting consumers from deceitful marketing tactics in frequent flyer programs. Reports suggest airlines are changing points systems and devaluing points to make it harder to achieve rewards, possibly due to unilateral contracts that allow airlines to make changes without directly notifying consumers. The DOT is meeting with U.S. airlines and gathering more information about the issue. Airlines for America, representing major U.S. carriers, declined to comment. Southwest Airlines recently lowered the requirement for the top levels of its frequent-flyer program in an attempt to attract travelers dissatisfied with other airlines’ changes to elite status requirements. Airlines design loyalty programs to keep their most lucrative customers returning.
Original: Transportation Department investigates airlines for changing loyalty programs to make rewards harder