Protecting the bottom lineAirlines changing frequent flyer rules, enacting stricter policies on 'back-to-back,' 'hidden city' ticketingJanuary 13, 1998Web posted at: 11:33 a.m. EST (1633 GMT) (CNN) -- Airlines are taking aim at travelers racking up frequent flyer miles on low fare tickets and those who use loopholes in the reservations system to get low fares. Many carriers are shifting frequent flyer policies to favor full-fare travelers, and are enacting stricter policies on such practices as "back-to-back" ticketing and "hidden city" routing. "A back-to-back ticket works when it is cheaper to buy two restricted, low-fare tickets than one unrestricted, full fare ticket," says CNN Business Travel Consultant Chris McGinnis. (Airlines crack down on back-to-back ticketing - September 29, 1997) Travelers buy two round trip tickets -- but only use one leg of each. Airlines are not happy with the practice. Continental recently sent its frequent flyers a warning about flying on back-to-back tickets and other practices it considers abuse, such as "hidden city" routing -- buying a cheaper ticket to a destination with a stopover in the city the traveler wants to reach, and getting off the flight there. According to Continental, "accounts with infractions will be subject to appropriate penalties or deductions, including but not limited to revocation of elite status, termination of account and forfeiture of miles." Delta has a policy similar to Continental's regarding penalties for back-to-back ticket users. To date, neither airline has taken action against any passengers, and both declined on-camera interviews on this issue. Endangered milesThe airlines do have the right to zap your miles -- or even cancel your account. "Everyone gets a book of terms and conditions. When you sign up for a frequent flyer program, you agree to those terms and conditions," says McGinnis. What's more, in some cases those terms and conditions are changing. "If you don't pay full fare, there's one thing to watch out for," says Randy Petersen, publisher of InsideFlyer magazine. "You may not be earning a full mile every time you fly." For example, TWA only gives bonus miles on full fare tickets. And on January 1, Delta stopped giving first class upgrades on low fare tickets. If frequent flyer miles are important to you, keep an eye on monthly statements and newsletters, so you won't be caught short with changes in frequent flyer policies. Based on a report from CNN's Business and Travel and Beyond. The segment appears Monday through Friday on Daybreak at 5:30 AM (ET) and on Early Edition at 7 AM (ET). BT&B also airs Sundays on the World Today at 10 PM (ET). 
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