The United States Department of Transportation (DOT ) revealed today that it has launched an inquiry into the four largest airline loyalty programs in the US. The inquiry is being conducted to protect frequent flyers from potentially unfair, deceptive, or anticompetitive practices and will require airlines to justify any devaluations made over the past six years.
What is happening?
The US Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, announced he has sent letters to American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, ordering them to provide extensive reports regarding their rewards programs, practices, and policies by December 4th. The DOT will then use the data to determine how the devaluation of earned rewards, hidden or dynamic pricing, extra fees, and reduced competition impacts loyalty program members.
According to the DOT, it launched this review to examine the