“The airline industry’s frequent-flier programs, introduced 25 years ago this month, seem to be under attack as never before. Reiss and a fast-growing number of other critics — consumers and experts alike — say the programs are becoming more trouble than they’re worth to travelers and have outlived their appeal.”

“An analysis by USA TODAY and Back Aviation Solutions shows that frequent fliers traveling free on U.S. airlines’ domestic flights have been declining gradually as a percentage of domestic passengers — 6% in the final quarter of 2005, vs. a recent high of 8% in the April-June period of 2002. Further, on a worldwide basis, mileage credits have been building up at a faster clip than has free travel.” (Full Story…)