Frequent Crying

Bonus rule changes rile flyers

It was an April Fool's Day surprise that still makes David Zrike fly into a rage. Like more than 15 million other Americans, Zrike, a 27-year-old partner in a New York City importing business, belongs to a frequent-flyer program that gives bonus trips to loyal airline passengers who accumulate sufficient travel miles. For two years Zrike faithfully flew on Trans World Airlines to reach the 60,000-mile mark needed for two free coach tickets to any TWA destination in the world. Then, on April 1, the airline revised its program. Now 60,000 bonus miles will earn two tickets to Europe only, and...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!