When big airlines talk merger, there is one question that many busy travelers worry about: What happens to my frequent-flier miles?
In the case of reported talks about a potential deal between US Airways Group (LCC) and UAL (UAUA), the parent company of United Airlines, the question is high on travelers’ lists of concerns. If a deal does happen — the companies have been in talks in the past — it could be months, or years, before it’s finalized. Still, it’s not too soon to get your frequent-flier housekeeping in order.
Consolidation, of course, raises the risk of higher fares, but it is unlikely you will lose your miles, says Ed Perkins, a contributing editor at SmarterTravel.com. “In every major merger so far, without fail, the two airlines involved combined their frequent-flier programs, and nobody loses a mile,” Perkins says.The last major merger of two U.S. carriers came in October 2008, when Delta (DAL) and Northwest joined forces. Within a year, the Northwest WorldPerks loyalty program integrated into the Delta SkyMiles program.
US Airways and United already participate in a reciprocal frequent-flier program. A person in both programs can earn miles for flights on either US or United, but miles aren’t transferable between airlines. Miles racked up at either airline can count toward becoming an “elite” member. And once in that category, elite members of both carriers can get preferential check-in and boarding, priority waitlists and more. Spokespeople for United and US Airways both said they had no comment on speculation about a possible merger.
Both US Airways and United are part of the Star Alliance network, which was established in 1997, offering some 17,000 daily flights to nearly 900 destinations in 160 countries, according to US Airways’ web site.
Here are some tips to avoid flying into trouble with your own frequent-flier account:
Root for United
United’s rewards program is one of the best, says Randy Petersen, the editor of Inside Flyer magazine. They’ve had multiple award sales in the past year, while US Airways temporarily got rid of some elite benefits, Petersen says. United also draws more business travelers and its rewards program has nearly twice as many members as US Airways’. That makes it likely that a merged program would look like United’s, he says.
Keep an Eye on Your Credit Cards
Like other carriers, US Airways and United offer credit cards that allow users to earn miles through travel and other purchases. United’s partnership with Chase is the one likely to win out, and US Airways WORLD MasterCard holders may end up having to switch cards or settle for a different type of rewards, Petersen says. US Airways’ frequent fliers could also lose the ability to convert American Express Membership Rewards points to miles, as United does not have that partnership, Petersen says. One way to take advantage of a transition: Consider signing up for credit cards of both airlines now, if you don’t already have them. Both carriers offer bonus miles for signing up, and those miles would presumably carry over to a merged program.
Hang On to Your Records
US Airways already recommends that frequent fliers keep receipts and boarding passes until they see the miles they’ve earned appear on their rewards statement, and that’s even more important if the program merges with United’s. The fine print in both rewards programs gives the airline the right to change or discontinue any aspect of the program at any time, but if past mergers are any guide, frequent fliers will keep their miles.
Watch out for Small Changes
When Delta and Northwest merged, the Northwest WorldPerks loyalty program integrated into the Delta SkyMiles program. Petersen says that Northwest’s frequent fliers noticed something was missing post-merger — Delta didn’t print a boarding time on its boarding passes the way Northwest typically did. That might seem insignificant, but frequent fliers “become creatures of habit” and may react badly to even small changes, he says. A Delta spokesperson says the airline is working on putting departure times on the boarding passes.
Consider Your Own Consolidation
With all the merger talk, it might pay to see all of your miles at a glance. The web site AwardWallet.com lets you track all your reward programs and warns you about miles that are about to expire. Similar sites include Mileage Manager and MilePort.
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