Do you think your frequent flyer miles will be worth anything in the next year?

Question

Experts are saying that up to one half of the American based Airlines currently flying will be out of business in the next couple years due to a crashing economy and rising fuel prices. There are not enought people who will fly for the expected fares, so the airlines will lose to much money to stay in business.

How about your frequent flyer miles? Are you afraid they will be worthless soon?

Answer 1

I agree with Iceman that we will probably see more consolidation in the airline industry.  When that happens, you do not lose your frequent flyer miles.  Your miles from the old airline become miles of the new airline.  

As for me, I am not worried they will be worthless.  If for some reason I think the airlines I have mileage with will go liquidate, I would exchange my miles for gifts.  United and other airlines allow you to exchange mileage for other gifts.

Answer 2

First of all, the econmey isnt crashing.We had a very mild recession that most experts are saying we are on our way out of. Fuel prices are skyrockets, but eventually will stabalize. The airlines will find ways to adjust for these costs.

The airlines have been in shambles for MANY years. This is nothing new. Its the same reason TWA, Eastern, and Pan AM are gone.  Whats going to happen is that some airlines will be gone in the upcoming years, but in the sense that they will merge, or be taken over by other airlines. Like Delta and Northwest are going to do. But this doesnt effect frequent flyers miles, your miles will simply be transferred to another airline. The last thing the airlines want is 10 million lawsuits over miles..